Hello all,

1996 Accord EX 2.2L vtech auto 4dr.

It seems to start and run fine, with the exception of the shuddering. I'm not showing any lights to indicate a problem.

When at a stop, if I accelerate quickly the engine sounds like it it trying to stall. It shudders like that until the tach hits apx 2000rpm, then it drives just fine. If I do the "old man driving" accelerate nice and slow it is fine, once again when it hits 2000rpm I can get as spirited as I feel.

I have recently replaced the starter and the FPR. It has had no effect on the problem.

Any ideas or advice would be appreciated.

Thank you

 

Its not easy to test without a fancy machine, but that's what an ignition system does when the cap/rotors/wires/plugs (take your pick) are starting to go. Under load is where a borderline problem there shows up first. You could pick up a spark tester and check them one by one, though that doesn't always give clear results.

I'd probably do a compression check as well myself, as that's easy if you're pulling plugs out and you can find decent tools for that cheap. On a car that old, you might as well know how things are going.

 

Pull the distributor cap and check that the terminals are clean/corrosion free. If the cap is old it may have yellow corrosion(boogers) on the terminals, these can be gently scrapped/popped off to reveal the clean terminal.

Check resistance of the spark plug wires.
Pull the plugs, make sure the gap is still correct .044 and not worn.
Verify the plugs are not carbon or oil fouled.
Verify the spark plug holes are not oil fouled.

Cleaning the terminals will help spark power, and verifying the gap is within spec, even on a worn plug, will improve spark.

 

Thanks for the help. It is just about due for a new timing belt, I'll just turn it into a full tune-up while I'm in there.

 

Does this happen all of the time - cold engine vs warm (closed loop)?

 

If that is the case, save yourself some coin by going to RockAuto, and a few parts suggestions.
-Use Denso O2 sensor, other sensors are lazy, avoid BOSCH.
-Gates timing belt kit and water pump.
-Summitomo plug wires(Honda Dealer) or the NGK set. Other brands are known not to fit the spark plug tubes or pop off while driving.
-Cap/Rotor, if not dealer make sure to use same brand for both parts due to tolerance stack up.
-Spark plugs, if the budget allows Denso Iridium plugs. Granted the price is 4X the cost of NGK replacements but they really do not wear and the feel in engine power/response is so much smoother. These are not gimicky multi prong uber pricey plugs.

 

Lost..
It does it both cold and hot.

 

daxr and MAD MIKE...

Thank you for your help. I pulled the plugs and distributor cap. Cleaned up all the contacts and re-gaped the plugs. It is running just fine now.

 

 

Another happy customer, mike.

 

Happy indeed.... so is my daughter...

 

You know it