Okay guys, my 91 accord dx sputters after its up to operating temp, almost like it is running out of gas. I replaced the fuel filter, plugs, wires, o rings, valve cover gasket, ran Seafoam through the vacuum brake line and The main relay in November. What else could it be? I thought the EGR valve, but when I checked it, the hose was already unplugged, and plugged with a screw. It must have been like that for about 3 years. It has 294,000 miles and is one owner. I'm out of ideas! Help a girl out!? Oh, and there is only one CEL code, 12 for the EGR Valve?

 

Oh, there are no codes, except the one for the unhooked egr valve

 

I had somewhat similar symptoms. Turned out to be the O2 sensor. May want to temporarily disconnect the 02 and see if it runs better. Possibly coolant temp sensor?

 

I had the same problem with my 92 accord and I replaced the spark plugs, spark plug wires, and distributor and it stopped that sputtering

 

Coolant temp sensor, is that the one under the thermostat housing? This is just puzzling me! I even put seafoam in with my gas, didn't help

 

My temp sensor is under the distributor on my 92. The sending unit is also there. The sensor is is the one in the back. Before you change it see if somebody else posts with a better idea. Did u try disconnecting the 02? Your cel will come on but it is ok to drive for a short distance. If it doesn't sputter, change the 02

 

My check engine light stays on anyway because of the egr valve haha, I drove it today and it does great until it gets to operating temp. But I figured out when it does it, if I let off the gas the slam it, it gets through it for a minute. Had to do this down my street to get it back to the driveway. How hard is it to unhooked my o2? My knowledge is limited, but I have learned how to do some, like running seafoam through the vacuum line. And my own brakes, tune up etc

 

I would like to try and disconnect it tomorrow when it's warmer

 

You will have to put the car up on ramps. You should see it right after the exhaust manifold. Under FAQ there is a section on the 02 but it would not pull up for me but you may want to try. I was hoping some of the more knowledgeable people on this site would chime in. I have gotten slot of help from this site because I am not much of a mechanic either

 

I was hoping they would too. I don't know what the hell to try :/

 

Did you try disconnecting the 02?

 

Not yet, it's been pouring the rain

 

Get the car up to operating temp. Then disconnect the oxygen sensor connector. It will throw a check engine code but if the problem more or less subsides the problem is likely the oxygen sensor. It's not often the oxygen sensor causes the issues in such a way that you're describing so I would check for an exhaust leak before replacing it, if in fact the car runs better with the oxygen sensor unplugged, indicating oxygen sensor failure. An exhaust leak can cause premature failure of an oxygen sensor and it will keep causing it to fail if not fixed.

 

Okay, this is going to make me sound incredibly stupid, but I'm trying to learn. Leak in the exhaust system? I scraped a hole in my muffler, about six months ago. That kinda of exhaust leak could cause it?

 

No, if an exhaust leak is going to cause the oxygen sensor to foul it will be at some point before the oxygen sensor up to the area around the oxygen sensor.

You can use seafoam to find the exhaust leak. It's not easy to sea foam your car, as you have to be sure not to allow the car to stall or you can damage your engine so if you've never done it it would be best to have a shop sea foam it. When they sea foam it, at the same time they will have someone look for an exhaust leak somewhere from the exhaust manifold to the oxygen sensor. White smoke will appear if there is a leak.

 

Okay, I see in your original post you did sea foam so you know how. This time, while you sea foam, either you or someone else carefully look for an exhaust leak.

 

Is it safe to do it again? It ran a lot better after last time but not great. I did it through the vacuum brake line and there was A LOT of smoke. But it helped some.

 

Ok, so I unhooked what I believe to be the oxygen sensor, reset the check engine light and got code 41. I took it and drove around for awhile, up hills and stuff. The car did great. I guess the true test will be driving it to work tomorrow (about 10 miles) so I can take it to the mechanic to change the o2 sensor. I'm too chicken to attempt that repair myself haha

 

You can do it. Changing the fuel filter is alot harder to me. You may have to get a special socket from Autozone or Harbor freight if the 02 has never been changed. Try a 22mm wrench(I think) first. Watch a youtube video to get the general idea. Good Luck!

 

Your car is going to run like crap with the EGR disconnected like that. Clean the EGR passages and the valve, reconnect it like it SHOULD be. And you will probably fair with better results.

 

Yeah, when I called O'Reilly' s to see how much the sensor was I asked the guy about a special tool, he said he's always used an adjustable wrench. YouTube is how I've learned to do most of my cars repairs. My dad hates working on cars so I had too. Lol thanks and I'll let us know how is does after driving today!

 

Please check for an exhaust leak before replacing the oxygen sensor as you will just be replacing it again if it fouls in 200 miles from having an exhaust leak. It won't hurt anything to do another sea foam, like I said, just make sure you don't let the car stall, that's the most important part you can really damage your engine if the car stalls and you got liquid in there and it hydro locks the engine. You sea foam, someone else can look for white smoke coming from somewhere from the exhaust manifold to the header to the downpipe flange gasket to the downpipe.

If it checks out fine, then the oxygen sensor is incredibly easy to replace. You will just disconnect the connector and rent an "oxygen sensor socket" from autozone or oreilly, they will rent the tool you just use it and get your money back when you take it back.

I have the ex so my car has the oxygen sensor in the downpipe but it shouldn't be hard at all to get to since yours is easily accessible, it's in the exhaust manifold.

Also, only buy a Denso brand oxygen sensor. They might try to buy a Bosch oxygen sensor and those things can be junk out of the box.