Hello all!

I'm working on a 1996 DX with the D16Y7 engine. Once the car warms up, when accelerating and just after shifting into second gear, the engine sputters for a second. It definitely feels like a misfire, but I don't think it's doing it long enough to throw a code. I've cleaned the throttle body and idle air control valve, adjusted the valves, tightened the timing belt (which was very loose), and checked the timing and it was right on the money. The owner of the car changed the fuel filter, plugs, wires, cap and rotor before he called me to look at it. Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts about what else it could be? The only other thing I can think of would be coil, does that make sense? It runs perfectly at all times other than this brief sputter when accelerating.

Thank you in advance for any input!!

 

If it is the momentary hesitation I have sometimes experienced at about 20 or 22 MPH on acceleration just after shifting into 2cd gear, then I can tell you that I dunno. I have tried to "solve" it. I have seen other guys try to solve it. Not sure how many have. But my car drives fine, always runs, and passes smog. If it is a problem and not just a design bug of some kind, it ain't progressive in my experience (so far after years).
EDIT: mine is a 1998 D16y7 with 274,000 miles.

 

First step would be to replace the coils. Next check fuel pressure. If fuel pressure checks out OK it's likely the fuel injectors.

 

If you have a scan tool with live data you can check the O2 (primary and secondary) output for anomalies... or just replace them to rule out that variable since they're pretty cheap these days. NTK or Denso for the best bet. A "worn" sensor may not throw a code but could send inaccurate info to the ECU.

 

That does sound a lot like it, I've never looked at the speedo, but sounds about right.

 

Thank you for the suggestions!!

I forgot to mention in the op, the owner already replaced both O2 sensors and the cat very recently.

 

Have you checked for CEL codes stored in the ECU?

Have you check the ignition timing with a timing gun?

Did you verify the PO's claim by inspecting the plugs (and gap) and removing the distributor cap, rotor, and dust cover to inspect the distributor internals?

 

Yeah, and it is a very slight feeling right? If you were not paying attention, you would miss it. It is not some lurching, bucking feeling like a serious misfire situation that'll set a code. Also, it only occurs sometimes, not every time. Prolly best understood as a feeling about the same or slightly less significant than when the car switches to deceleration fuel cutoff.
I have done almost all of what is recommended in this thread. But I have not tested fuel injectors. My fuel pump might be slightly weak, but not seriously so.
I will hope to see a solution, if you find one.

 

I did pull all the plugs out when I adjusted the valves and they all looked good. I did not check the gaps. The wires and cap both look brand new, but I did not check under the cap.

 

CEL codes? Ignition timing?

NGK plugs?

Pull the cap and rotor off to do some inspecting.

 

Yeah, it's definitely strange!! The first time I looked at it for him we took it for a pretty long drive, and it didn't do it at all. When I finally did get it to do it, it wasn't every time, very intermittent.

 

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-...ic-ex-3301164/