New to me 1998 Accord LX with 2.3L and automatic.

Replaced timing belt, balance belt and both tensioners. Upon reassembling the engine ran very rough and threw codes P0325 and P1399... After replacing the Knock Sensor the engine ran smoother but is now giving:

P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P0301 Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
P0303 Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
P1399 Powertrain

I have replaced plugs (OE NGK's), Rotor, Cap and Wires to no avail...

Thinking to remove Intake Manifold and clean EGR Port or adjust valves

Advice ?
Suggestions?

Any help would be much appreciated

 

Did you adjust the valves when you did the timing belt? If not I would start there.

Check that your timing marks are all good, now that it has been running.

Also check all of the engine grounds, ensure that they are clean and tight.

 

I pulled the timing belt covers off of it today and all timing marks line up...

I did not adjust valves when i did the timing belt, will search for a how-to and give that a go in the morning. Will also check grounds...

Thank You

 

I don't know if you have touched these at all, but it's not unheard of to have your TPS and MAP connectors switched and make all those errors. Could it be possible? Often when reassembling it can happen where we plugged the wrong item back in. But that's what I would suspect if it was fine before, a reversed connector or vacuum hose.

Otherwise other things to check are 1 - doublecheck the gap on your plugs and make sure you didn't just use whateverr they were set at out of the box, they can often be gapped too far. 2-Check for consistent spark from the plugs. Does the car behave the same if a plug wire is pulled such as 1 or 3?

Reset ECU to see if needs to learn the "new" setup.

 

Anything is possible... I will check the map and tps sensors in the morning...

I did check the gap of the new plugs, but will move them around and see if the misfire(s) move...

Thank You

 

**UPDATE**

MAP and TPS connectors are where they should be. I also checked the gap on all plugs, and they are all good. I also moved around spark plugs and misfire(s) stayed in the same place.

I adjusted the valves... Now I am only getting P0301 and P1399 codes...

I reset the ECU and those 2 codes came back. I am going to let it cool and will have another look at the valve adjustment on cylinder 1

 

Another area to look at would be the EGR system in the intake manifold. I know on the earlier F22A/B engines they would get dirty and required cleaning every know and then.

 

You could also recheck the distributor. Check for oil leaks coming inside at the internal o-ring.

 

Assume the Outer Distributor Shaft Seal has been leaking for some time...

Inner Distributor Shaft Seal definitely leaking...

 

As I am doing this I am also looking for a coolant leak... Removing Intake Manifold to clean EGR port as well... I seem to be moving in reverse 😬

 

So a coolant link could be connected to the oil leak. Oil tends to leak and land on the coolant hose, causing it to swell and split over time.

Again, personally, I would simply remove and replace all the hoses if I didn't know their age. In the process you tend to find the "bad" one. Clamp, hose, split in radiator, whatever.

 

Curious about the valve adjustment - before buying my '99 Accord 2.3L I test drove a 1998 CR-V. Researched showed the valves on that 2.0L engine required adjustments at certain intervals.

Is that also the case with the 2.3L?

 

Yes.
98-02 Accord Valve Adjustment (4 cylinder, VTEC specific) | Honda Accord DIY

 

I am in process of replacing all the hard to get to hoses... The heater hose that emerges from underneath the distributor was really soft, but there were no holes... I am going to check hard lines going into the transmission before getting it all back together...

I also have to get the seals in the distributor replaced... Will update again in a couple of days...

 

Thanks for the link - good details. I've only done a valve adjustment once before on one cylinder, my lawn tractor.

 

Good to hear that took care of 2 codes. Hopefully good progress will be reported in a few days.