2002 honda civic rough idle, does not respond to gas pedal but very intermittent, did find radiator slightly low, burped coolent system, runs better but still intermittent.

 

Tune up possibly?

 

cel on ?

 

Im with JDMEG, i had an EK that was running like dogsh*t and wouldnt stay started...i actually thought for a second the engine might be blown...decided to throw on some plug wires as a quick test and BAM it ran perfectly, so bizarre how something so little could make a car run so bad. Anyway i'd start small and check spark plugs, inspect the ignition coils, check air filter and so forth...

 

Another thing you can check is the Idle air sensor, if that is shot, then the car wont hold an standard idle. you can Try putting it in neutral and bring to the rpms up to 5k and let go of the pedal, if it drops, and almost stalls that might be a good place to look as well.

 

yeah first try cleaning the IACV,throttle body, and EGR valve which is free if you have a bottle of carb cleaner lying around. read this http://www.civicforums.com/forums/11...e-up-mods.html

 

I had a rough idle at 149k so I installed new plugs and adjusted the valves and now the valve ticking noise is gone and it idles fine. I also replaved the valve cover gasket and spark plug tube grommets because oil got through to the plug base and could have been affecting the ground path and robbing my plugs from so of the spark.