Hi guys, I have this strange problem, just started this weekend...

If I am going about ~30-40 local and I feel the car seemingly vibrate or stutter or it just seams as if there's something loose- either in the tranny or motor (sorry to sound so vague and non-technical, I can't really explain what it really is) It's only when I gas... If I gas around 30+, I notice it, however if I push it to neutral, but it goes away, so that eliminates any sort of wheel balance/bend etc. I only notice this vibration when I gas, and it seems that it's coming from the motor.

Only things that I can think of that happened recently is that I notice some oil leaking from the head/block area (where the block code is) don't think it's the cam seal- that was replaced about a year ago. Not losing too much oil, as I keep checking that it is good. Other than that, the only other thing is I changed the steering rack about 4 months ago, nothing else.

I ran a search, thinking it might be the head gasket, but not sure if it is it... I changed the plugs and tried fuel injector cleaning, nothing...
I came across this post and it is similar to my problem:

"When the engine is warming up it goes fine throughout the whole rev range.

As soon as the engine is fully warmed up and cruising then a slight touch of the accelerator will cause a loud judder to appear about 4 times a second.The problem gets louder going uphill.

If I press the clutch and rev the engine then it won't vibrate.
Once I let the clutch out again and press the accelerator again then the noise will re-appear.

If I change gear from 5-4 and 4-3 it will vibrate in those gears as well so it's RPM independant.

I've turned the ignition on and off whilst driving but it re-appears immediately.

If I slow the car down to 10-20 MPH and then speed up the engine will be ok up to and including the VTEC part. But the problem will re-appear once I start cruising again a few minutes later.

I have changed the spark plugs, air filter and cleaned the EGR valve. I have also added injector cleaner. All vacuum hoses seem ok. I've also disconnected the battery to reset the ECM. Checked there is no misfire at idle etc. Now thinking of battering it with a hammer.

I don't think it's a problem with leads or injectors because it does seem to go to VTEC at all other times.
I'm not sure whether this is related but when I rev the engine and go back to idle the engine has a slight vibration noise for a second or two and then it dissappears. This is not the same noise as the main vibration though.

There are no fault codes present so it's a pain trying to diagnose the problem. It's also hard to diagnose a problem which only appears whilst driving.

If I drive 40-50 miles the vibration will come and go"


Any idea's?

Thanks in advance!

 

bump, can anyone help?

 

Hmmm, sounds similar to what my car did when I had an axle problem.

I had this problem with my h22a in my EG. The passenger-side axle popped out of the transmission and caused MTF to leak. It also caused vibrations at different speeds and when under strong acceleration.

Are you sure that it is not Manual transmission fluid leaking? Do you have any reason why your axles would problematic?

 

Hmm, that's a good suggestion, I did recently had the axle removed when I replaced the steering rack, and I did notice abnormal amounts of fluid (I thought oil) Where was the fluid leaking from? But come to think of it, it's fine when I am in neutral though?

Thanks alot SeaQuake!


Modified by FuZioNxMaxBoost at 8:23 PM 1/13/2004

 

Bump for more help...

 

Sounds like you inner cv joints on your axles are the culprit. This would also explain why it only happens under light load(puts joints in slight bind which causes the problem due to being severely worn internally) when accelerating. When you coast(take foot off accelerator) the axles are not bound up and vibration goes away. Have seem this a lot. Generally with higher mileage cars or cheap aftermarket axles. Most of these failing axles will seem OK until they are removed and then reinstalled, for some reason, and then the inner joint will just start exhibiting excessive play. Don't know why it happens this way, just does sometimes.

 

thanks hondatim,

I think that sounds like it....

I will give that a try, THANKS!


Modified by FuZioNxMaxBoost at 10:57 PM 1/13/2004

 

Update, hey thanks HondaTim, turns out you were dead on.

The driver side axle was in really bad shape, after you mentioned it, I recalled the previous people who helped me on the car took it apart...

Just came back from the shop, turns out it IS the driver side axle.

We ordered a GS-R axle, but for some reason, it doesn't fit? I was told that 6th Gen Si B16 axles don't fit so I went ahead with the B18C, but the end where it meets the transmission (intermediate) the end on the GS-R is 'female' whereas on the B16, it's a male? I researched all over and I could have swore the GS-R is a direct fit, perhaps they sent us the wrong shaft. So for the time being, we packed in grease and re-assembled the old shaft and it works fine, for now.

Thanks for the help everyone!

 

w00t w00t, I am kinda happy that I was somewhere close. Have some non-alcoholic

 

Yea, sorry forgot to thank you too.

Thanks for all the help eveyrone