I bought a 95 honda accord EX V6 a couple months ago. I picked it up fairly cheap knowing that it had some issues. The previous owner informed me that he had problems with a hard start when the vehicle was cold and that the tach wasn't working. I assumed it was probably a fairly simple fix and most likely just a bad ignition coil. I replaced the ignition coil about a month ago and it fixed the tach issue, but I am still having problems during cold starts. When cold, the vehicle will start and start to idle really low (100rpm) causing the engine to shake. The car will struggle to stay running and sometimes stall. However, once it runs for 30-60 seconds it will idle normally. Usually, I can give it some gas and it will prevent it from stalling. Other than the cold start issue it has no other issues.

Here is what I have done so far to try to fix the issue-
replaced: distributor cap, distributor seals (noticed oil in the cap), distributor rotor, plug wires, plugs, ignition coil, fuel filter, pcv valve
cleaned: throttle body, IAC valve, FITV valve, EGR port/passage

 

any cel? coolant gauge functioning? no air in cooling system?

it sounds like your FITV is sticking, has become mis-adjusted too far closed or has had it's coolant passages gunked up.

it should be closed 100F+ and open below. if mis-adjusted, remove screws and adjust - clean coolant passages - bleed system.

 

you cleaned the fitv but did you adjust it? also when it idles that low do you hear any noise coming from the valve cover area?

 

This could be the engine coolant temperature sensor. Test it for ohms across the two pins when the car is completely and totally cold. Should read around 2000-2500 ohms or so.

 

I did clean fitv fully and adjust it. I will listen to the val ve cover when I get a chance. Will check CTS as advised.

 

Oh, I bled the coolant system yesterday just to make sure.

 

Replaced the ECT sensor yesterday. Noticed a new problem now. I am loosing coolant and can't find the leak. Pretty sure it might be the head gasket now. Checked the oil and it looks fine. However, I notice the overflow tank was below the min line so I put some coolant in. Checked it again today and I am definitely loosing coolant. Is it possible that coolant is leaking into the cylinder causing the rough idle until it burns off?

 

Oh, the ECT obviously didn't fix the problem.

 

I had the codes scanned and it pulled a misfire on cylinder #5. Hoping to do a compression test next week.