I've been having a intermitant problem with my Integra LS 97. After driving for a while, usually 5-6 minutes, the car will suddenly lose all power and the revs will slowly decrease, even if I press harder on the throttle. It stays that way for 2-3 seconds, then it will kick back in for 4-6 seconds and it will again lose all power. It kicks in and out like this a few times then it's fine. If I shift to neutral, I can rev the car no problem. Also, if I have to stop at a light when it happens, the idle will be erratic, going between 500 and 600 rpm.

Gas consumption as also become problem since this as started. I'm using up to 33% more gas, and the problem gets worse if I put in 89 octane, so I fuel up on 91 octane. This is starting to get expensive. The car is also quite sluggish since this has been happenning, it's not the way it used to be.

When it first started to do this, I thought the plugs were guilty, since I got a 73 and 74 code, and upon inspection, I noticed the plugs were pretty worn out. However, changing the plugs and sanding down the distributor cap, only the error code disappeared, the problem persists, which leads me to believe this is unrelated. I've asked around and all my friends are stumped by this. Some of them even drove the car and witnessed the problem first hand and they don't know what the hell is going on.

thanks for any insight! I can't wait for this to be fix so I can get on with my summer project (brakes (done) + lowered suspension + 16" wheels).

 

blowing any smoke outta your tailpipe? oil in your coolant? coolant in your oil?

 

There's no black or blue or white smoke coming out of the exhaust, no funky smells either. The coolant seems to be good, though it's a little under the min line in the overflow container. There seems to be no broken seals or gaskets anywhere.

 

is it overheating at all?

 

Nope, a part from what I described and a slight alignment problem, the car is perfectly normal.

I was waiting on my Koni Reds + H&R springs to correct the alignment since I have to change the lower arm (stupid curb).

 

I hate replying to myself, however, today I got another error code from the car (finally). It's error code 45, and by looking around, it seems to relate to the car running too rich or too lean (though i'm guessing from the gas consumption it's running rich). If this rings any bells to anyone, i'd greatly appreciate it.

 

Here's what Helm's says about the Too Rich condition of Diagnostic Trouble Code P0172 (45): (Page 11-42)

Detection Item:
System Too Rich

Probable Cause:
- Fuel Supply System
- Primary H02S (Sensor 1)
- MAP Sensor
- Contaminated Fuel
- Valve Clearance

Page:
11-76

The intro to 11-76 reads like this:
Pausible causes for:
DTC P0172 System Too Rich::
- Fuel Pressure regulator Clogged, stuck Closed
- Fuel Return Pipe Clogged
- Fuel Injector Leaking
- Gasoline Doesn't meet owner's manual spec
- Primary H02S (Sensor 1) Deteriorated
- Valve Clearance

All the trouble shooting steps for these causes listed on the next page either require a scan tool or a vaccuum pump.

As a side note: you might try resetting your ICU. This once disciplined a spunky intake air sensor on my teg that caused a hunting idle problem.

Just disconnect Fuse 47 (7.5A Clock, Audio, ECM, TCM, Maintenece Reminder Unit) from the under-hood fuse box for at least (I think) 10 minutes. I may not be that long.

And don't disconnect the negative battery terminal instead of pulling the fuse. (Sound advice from Teken)

Good luck.

 

Any update?

 

I haven't had time to look into it seriously yet. I have to swap out my 3 drive belts plus I bought a new Fuel Filter. I'll run the different wire tests on the MAP, O2 sensors at the same time.