1998 Honda Civic lx M/T has a check engine light on for “random misfire”. The light seems to come off when I check the spark plugs/clean them. I have replaced them too, and the light comes back on after 20 or so miles of driving. I then decided to have a look at the distributor cap and rotor. Cleaned the contact points, and the check engine light went off again, this time for about 75 miles before it turned back on. Is this a cam timing issue? What is triggering the misfire to happen after driving 75 miles? Any suggestions will help, thank you

 

Do a full ignition system tune up --> new plugs, wires, distributor cap, and rotor. If the issue continues, then Ohm test the coil inside the distributor.

 

thank you for the reply, I apologize I should have mentioned that I did do a spark plug change (NGKs the good stuff no worries), light stayed off and came back on, so I’m doing the cap and rotor today. If this doesn’t help; I’ll definitely have a buddy of mine test the distributor; Didn’t think of that. Wires shouldn’t be bad I did them within the last 6 months so I’m saving that as the last option. Also could it be a fuel system issue? Like a bad fuel filter? Because it(the CEL) will stay off for 50,60 sometimes 70 miles before randomly clicking back on; anyway thank you for your input I’ll give updates

 

Replacing the fuel filter is a good idea.

What is the specific misfire code? P300? Any other codes thrown?

 

p0172, p0301, p0302, p0303, p0304 & p0300. Cap and rotor were replaced today light is off but I can smell that it’s running rich and definitely still a light light misfire(only at idle as far as I can tell) RE: I’m thinking it could be cam timing related (a tooth off maybe) or a bad fuel filter/clogged injector? it’s tricky to diagnose I appreciate your feedback

 

P0172 is inconsistent with a clogged fuel filter. The coil is the prime suspect followed by the ICM.

 

Will a p0172 cause these misfires as well? I’m going to test the distributor coil today; again thank you so much for your input

 

No. It's likely a symptom caused by the engine misfiring.