I've been trying to figure this issue out for the last couple days, but have yet to fix it.

The car: 97 Civic DX with 203k miles on it. Replaced the head gasket almost a year ago. Timing belt, timing belt tensioner, motor mounts, exhaust manifold, valve seals, valve cover gaskets, and valve adjustment all done then. Spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor were all done a few months prior.

The problem: The car had been running perfectly (minus some oil consumption) up until the day before things reached the point they're at. It started with some hesitation while accelerating from a stop, the motor would bog down half way through the intersection then pick back up after a few seconds. By the next day it was nearly undriveable; it would stall if the throttle wasn't gently applied. No CEL code was thrown. It continues to stall if throttle is applied, sometimes backfiring through the intake as it dies (I suspect it's just the last spark setting off the charge as the motor stops). There's a fairly loud growling/rumbling noise from the intake as it dies.

What I've tried: The MAP sensor and ignition coil were the first two things I tried swapping out, with no change. The TPS voltage changes smoothly and is within specs (.5-4.5v). The fuel filter and fuel pump have been replaced. Pinching off the return line after the FPR results in no improvement, suggesting fuel pressure is fine (wishing I had just bought the tester now). I've tried disconnecting various sensors with no effect besides throwing the corresponding codes (map, tps, O2 sensors). Ignition timing checked and where it should be. Pulled the valve cover and verified proper cam timing and that the valves were being actuated. An old regapped spark plug shows a blue spark. Swapped in another set of plugs (regapped and clean the old ones that were changed at an unknown mileage). The distributor cap was corroded and showed no continuity between the internal and external terminals, so I replaced it.

I'm starting to think I might need to swap out the distributor, but it's odd that I'm not getting any codes thrown. I could use any other ideas people might have.

 

The spark SHOULD be bright white with a very slight hint of blue to it. Have you checked the ICM and coil?

 

Swapped the distributor and it's running great now. I think one of the sensors in the distributor was intermittently failing.

 

it was probably the igniter ive replaced like 20 of those things on customers cars