So I still cant seem to find the problem with my honda (acura).
I got a 2001 Acura 1.7EL (D17A2 Vtec). All OEM... not even a cold air intake or exhaust.
I'll try to describe the problem the best I can.
So... there's actually like 3ish problems, and they're all sorta related and the same thing.
Before you ask... it doesnt pop any CEL. the only CEL I have is like a canister evap thing... no big deal there.
1st symptom: Sometimes I start the car in the morning, let it warm up, and out of nowhere, the car will shut down. Not really any warning or anything, its just like I would have turned the key off. I'll restart it, its gonna run a little rough but then it will get fine.
2nd symptom: If I take the car for a drive, and like stop somewhere for a good 15-20mins enough for the engine to cool down a little, when I start the car and start going, the car will search to stall, buck and run like crap for a good 15-20 seconds. BUT, if I open the throttle all the way (WOT) then the engine will pull and do its job. If I let it idle when its going that, its gonna burp, run rough and all but not enough to turn off. After a couple seconds tho, everything is fine.
3rd symptom: Some days its gonna run rougher than some other days, but I mostly blame the cold for that because most of the warm days the engine runs and I cant even feel it. When its cold I have heater on, heated seats, defrost, etc... so...its not really a symptom but its still a little weird how rough it runs sometimes and then suddenly smooth.
4th symptom: This one is a bit more recent.... sometimes I take the car for the first time of the day. Its gonna drive fine for the first couple seconds/minutes then lets say I stop at a light or something, its gonna start doing the same as 2nd symptom. Its gonna run rough, hesitate unless WOT, etc...for about 10-20secs. Sometimes I'll just press the clutch and rev the engine to redline 2-3 times and it will fix it.
Soooo..... here's what i've done so far to try to fix/find the problem::
New sparkplugs - inspect coils.
Injector cleaner, water remover, supreme gas once or twice.
Look at air filter, vaccum leaks, disconnected sensors, etc..
I redid the grounds and positives.
I cleaned and finally replaced the MAP sensor.
I cleaned IAC valve, throttle body, Vtec solenoid, EGR, etc.
Thermostat has been replace cause it was leaking but its not really related. Tho its still leaking somewhere >_>
I looked at pretty much everything around when I inspected the timing belt, considering that I had to remove everything on top to access it.
It doesnt show any CEL when the problem happens.
Only CELs I have is a Evap canister one (cant remember the code).
It showed me a p0132 the other day about O2 sensor high voltage bank1 sensor1... so the one at the header... but its also the one I had to unplug to play around the T-stat so maybe its just a fault on my side for not replugging it well or something. CEL hasnt come back yet.
I also cheked the Voltages of my O2 sensor with my obd2 reader live datas and all seems fine.
Eventually, what I wanna do:
empty my CAT maybe...?
replace o2 sensors...?
maybe replacing the TPS (throttle position sensor)...?
I dont really know where to look anymore... other than that the car runs fine and pull like its brand new.

 

What did the spark plugs look like? Also, check fuel pressure. It should be around 40-45 PSI.

 

Plugs are brand new, good gap and color is fine too..

As for fuel pressure I'll have to borrow a gauge but considering its intermitent problem im not too sure its fuel related but its indeed something I still need to look at.

I replaced the throttle body today with another TPS too. got it free in a junkyard so was worth a try.
Problem came back so... i dont suspect my TPS or MAP sensors really anymore.

I noticed my coolant leak seems to be coming by the whole coolant module that bolt into the head.... maybe its making a bad EGR leak or something?

I'm getting pretty tired of this car.... so far one of the weirdest and worst car I've had...

If only it could pop up a good CEL :-/

 

Seriously? Why would I ask about the new plugs?

Also, did you re-check your timing?

 

Update: Sold the car and went back with Mazda.
Not my problem anymore