Hi

My car sometimes lose power. When the problem arises, I put on the pedal gaz harder and the engine makes a "booooooaaa" sound (not the AEM intake) and the engine is so slow and not responsive. It seems like I pull a big trailer behind me. This problem can surge suddenly when I stop and go from a red light or stop or when I shift in any gears. The sound produced by the AEM intake is deep grave but with the problem it adds a strange louder sound. It's like something is missing.

I changed spark plugs / wires / cap and rotor / fuel filter / every tuneup is done. Timing has been checks and it's alright. The car has 48000 miles. I have no CEL's ! I could say also that the problem occurs more during the summer season than the winter season. In winter, it's really rare. But in the summer, it's frequent.
I run 91 premium gaz and I tried some injector cleaner but no change at all.

What kind of parts can cause a change in the engine sound... (be in problem) ??

I hope you can help me guys ! I really need your help.


Modified by joSiR99 at 11:03 PM 8/13/2004

 

check the TPS.. when full throttle is given the TPS will make that "boooooaaa" sound as you call it. Usually a TPS will throw a code, but sometimes it doesn't. I would have a shop check it out.

- Later

 

i got two suggestions that seems kinda "off-the-wall"

check the condition of your coolant.

ask around at local auto shop classes, and ask for any knowlegeable instructors who are involved with BAR and the EPA. one of our instructors mentioned that in many parts of the U.S., there is a different formula of gasoline for the summer seasons and for the winter season, eventhough they have the same octane ratings and stuff... i dont' know... maybe it's possible they're using the wrong formula, or are low on supply and are using a winter reserve or something.. i dont' know... anything's possible, right?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by project_imports &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">check the TPS.. when full throttle is given the TPS will make that "boooooaaa" sound as you call it. Usually a TPS will throw a code, but sometimes it doesn't. I would have a shop check it out.

- Later</TD></TR></TABLE>

i considered the tps first, but a bad tps or misadjusted tps would usually be more consistent, and not season/weather/temperature specific...

 

Thanks guys for your quick answers !

For the TPS, can I check this by myself or it's more simple to go to a shop ?

If you have other things to say... go i'm listening !

Oh.... and I have a Civic SiR 99.. I don't mentioned it... sorry... I put it in my signature

 

Others people have seen this kind of problem ?

 

other people have similar problems, but not many people have admitted to it being a seasonal thing.

testing the tps is easy if you have a voltmeter.

 

I talked to a Honda tech two days ago and he says that it can be my catalytic converter in problem. What do you think about that ?

 

Check the signal from the 02 sensor. Might need replacing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by joSiR99 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I talked to a Honda tech two days ago and he says that it can be my catalytic converter in problem. What do you think about that ?</TD></TR></TABLE>
A restriction in the exhaust system can cause a loss of power and a change in engine tone. I've seen more than one converter with busted guts cause the described problem.

 

Tanks !

I'm pretty sure it's the cat. I will check this. The catalytic converter is 8 year warranty so no need to pay if it's the problem.

 

Update : a Honda mechanic come with me in my car to see what kind of problem I have. He tells me that my car is correct for him ( I know that he would tell me this) but he never feel when the car is great and after when the problem appears.

I talked to him about the catalytic converter and he tells me that it cannot be that because my car would always do it. I'm so desperated guys !!

I don't know what to do now.

It's strange. I go in car like 10-15 minutes. I stop on a red light. The car is ok. When the light is green, I try to go again and there I lost the power I had before and the engine doesn't make a normal sound like I said in my first post. The problem will stay always unless I stop the engine (rarely it disappear when the engine is on). It's a very odd problem and I don't know how to solve it.

I hope with these words you will help me a little more... if you can.

Thanks !

 

have you tried cleaning out the throttle body?

 

No I have not tried it. Is it something easy to do or not ? How can I do it ?

 

no its easy

take off the intake arm, and spray the inside with a throttle body and intake manifold cleaner.

read the instructions on the back of the can.

 

So you really think that my throttle body could be dirty and this causes the problem ?

 

I cleaned my throttle body afternoon. It was a little dirty but I don't think it was too dirty to cause the problem. I will go in car and see if it changes.

If someone have another idea, I'm always listening.

thanks

 

I was having a similar problem with my B16a with SRI. In my case it was the hot air being sucked into the engine which caused detonation under sudden WOT and the KS used to pull back the timing aggressively. Used to happen only when the engine was fully warmed, driven for some time and the weather was hot.

The IAT also richens the fuel mixture and pulls back timing when the intake air temp is high.

Suggest that you check your ignition timing and pull it back a couple of degrees or switch to a higher octane. Also, cooler intake air ought to help things too.

 

The problem was there before I bought my AEM SRI ! I know it sucks hot air but I don't think it's a short ram problem.

 

Then retard the ignition timing a couple of degrees and give it a shot. Atleast we will be able to narrow things down.

 

did u check yoru exhaust system maybe you have a blown exhaust gasket or a rust hole in the pipe somewhere. just a thought cuz to me it sounds like u losing back pressure. i know if u have an exhaust leak its loud and u lose power. so i would check the gasket that goes from the end of the down pipe to the next pipe that it connects to. good luck bro

 

thanks vtekstorm

Yeah.. someone told me that it can be the exhaust gasket too.