First of all, I really appreciate all the info I got from this forum back in '03 when I did the swap. Everything has been great since then until just a few months ago. Usually a quick search is all it takes to get answers, but I have been trying that approach for the last month and haven't had any luck. Something is not right with my beloved B16, and I need some help figuring it out:

-JDM B16A2 in a '94 EG hatchback, normal bolt on's
-recently did the normal tune up (plugs, wires, dist. cap, fuel filter, O2 sensor, checked timing, checked valve clearance, cleaned air filter, etc.)
-Also changed the VTEC solenoid screen
-NO CEL's

*3 months ago - started noticing a bit of hesitation/surging during WOT VTEC runs. Not misfiring, just not smooth-pulling. Now it happens intermittently through the entire RPM range, in or out of VTEC. Power has dropped off quite a bit, to the point where it feels really doggy most of the time.

Local Honda dealership = no help. I thought they could easily diagnose a faulty sensor, but they didn't even try.

I am thinking maybe a weak fuel pump, a bad TPS or MAP, or the distributor. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

 

bad gas?

 

Get a wideband, and check the a/f ratio. You can also use it to tune the car, so its not a bad investment.

 

just to hazzard a guess, but those sound kind of like distributor or ignition issues. i would check the ignitor and the coil to make sure they are in specs. and pull out your sparkplugs and see if they are fouled and that they are still gapped correctly. these things would explain hesitation. surging.. could be a faulty injector, which you can also test using a manual.

these may not solve your problem, but they are free checks that may help narrow it down a little.

 

My book (Haynes) seems pretty light in the areas regarding distributor/ignitor checking. In fact, it doesn't even mention an ignitor as a component in the index. Mostly a bunch of voltage yes/no instructions...

I found a distributor at NAPA for $175 that comes with the ICM. If I could afford it I would just buy and install to see if it helps...went ahead and bought an air/fuel gauge today that might be interesting.

Would a scan be helpful? An employee at a local auto parts store mentioned it today. They offer the service but couldn't help me (OBD1). They said anyone with a Snap-On or Matco scanner would be able to do it. Makes me wonder why the Honda dealer turned me away.

 

I use the Snap-On Solus. Awesome scan tool! The only drawback is the cost. I dunno the exact cost because the shop I work @ paid for it, but my service manager said it was over $7000!! I'm not sure what you could get for cheaper. OBD-1 though, you just bridge the service port with a paperclip, and it'll flash the ecu code at you...but you said there are no check engine lights.

 

You mentioned the wideband, any specific type you recommend? I am getting the impression (now that I have read a little more on the topic) that the A/F gauge I bought might not be useful without it. I hate the thought of spending more just to diagnose a problem, but on the other hand I really miss those smooth VTEC pulls in the morning on the way to work.

What type of shop do you work at? I wonder who in this #@%!ing town has a scan tool, and if it would even help in the NO CEL situation...

Thanks-

 

widebands are great for tuning, but your problem can most likely be solved by just figuring out what sensor or system is going bad. if you are eager to spend money on the problem, the first thing you should buy is a honda manual for your specific engine.

widebands can be had for around $250 and up, for the variety that you can use without a laptop and datalogger.

have you checked your ignition system and fuel delivery system yet for any issues?

you can go here http://www.helminc.com and buy an actual honda factory manual for your car or engine. since you have a b16a2, you could get one for a del sol and have the vtec information and troubleshooting guides. and its $76. all i have to say is if you want to throw money at the problem, you should start with buying a manual.

 

I just work for the local Tire Kingdom. I'm the alignment tech, but I do tires, and oil changes, and some other light duty things here and there. I've just recently been trained on how to use the Solus. I can basically read the code, and reset the light to see if it comes on again. I have seen the graphs and datalogging in action though, and it is bad-***!

I agree with the post above mine. Buy a manual first, and find out what the problem coud be by using some flowcharts in the efi troubleshooting section. Engine diagnostics isn't cheap (at least @ our shop where they charge almost $90!!). I'd say buy a manual. Or you could look on ebay. I paid $12 for the complete Acura dealership shop manual from Honda. It's on CD-ROM, and the guy basically scans the pages, burns them to .pdf format (adobe acrobat file), and sells the CD copies. The manual I got is 1132 pages of awesome information and specs. It would save you a lot of money, and you don't have to worry about reading the manual with dirty hands, and getting pages dirty, or laying the manual down on your garage floor while testing the car. If you need the page @ the car, just print and go. Easy as that.

 

Oh man now im nervous im in the process of doing a b16 Sir II swap into my 95 coupe with a tranny change over..sigh guess ill be investing in a bunch of new parts.

 

.

 

No need to be nervous if you have a good motor to drop in. I had 3 years trouble free until this recent performance issue. Honestly, this is minor stuff. Just trying to pinpoint a little glitch and get it back to the smoothness I got used to.

 

Yeah, like the guy above me...no need to be worried. My b16 was trouble free for two years. I drove the everloving **** out of it and sprayed a 75 wet shot on her, not any trouble for 100,000 miles!! I had to commute to work 70 miles one way. With a b16 tranny, at 90mph, you are taching around 5000rpm. So tell me these engines aren't built to last! Just recently, it started burning and leaking oil, then the differential started feeling wierd. So I bought a brand new car...something I don't have to worry about breaking. My new engine/tranny setup should be done by spring! LS-V, with gearspeed tranny!!