Hola everyone

Well, it seems as if my lude (97 SH) has caught some sort of the hesitation bug. However, it doesn't do it all the time, and only in certain circumstances. Let me go over that real quick

-idle seems to be a bit more bouncy (my car actually died last night for the first time ever while coming up to a stop)
-runs fine in all gears and below vtec/no hesitation
-once i get into vtec, at about 5500-5600 rpm, the car will hesitate BADLY, and the car doesn't want to pull anymore. It's almost like it switched out of the vtec lobe, but it doesn't because the scream is still there.
-after attempt at vtec, my car will run pretty shittily, hesitating in the lower rpms, even at partial throttle
-Also, sometimes my car will smell really bad, almost like exhaust, but it also might be fuel, i didn't smell it for that long. My friend followed me and she said it smells really bad. I can't remember if this is before or after vtec attempt.

I don't know you guys. With these symptoms, it seems that vtec is somehow screwing up my car. Do you think resetting the ecu will do anything? If not, what do you think will?

Just to let you guys know, i had traveled about 475 miles over the weekend, and my car ran nice and strong. The night after i got back, which was monday night, i started noticeing these symptoms, and they've only gotten worse. Any help appreciated. Thanks!

 

just a little update/bump:

I drove around a little bit today and the car seemed to run perfect, then again, i didnt touch vtec at all, which seems to reinforce my original idea that this problem is vtec related. Still not totally sure though. Also, it has never thrown any codes at me.

Any thoughts?

 

Okay, i think this problem has gotten a little worse. Sometimes my idle with bounce 2-300 rpm. I'm beginning to think that its a fuel problem, maybe a clogged fuel filter?

Does anyone have ANY kind of idea what might be causing this. I'm lookin to you guys for some help! Please!

 

HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM...BUMP!!!

 

What do the spark plugs look like? How many miles on them?

 

check your fuel filter

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hank the retard &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hola everyone

-Also, sometimes my car will smell really bad, almost like exhaust, but it also might be fuel, i didn't smell it for that long. My friend followed me and she said it smells really bad. I can't remember if this is before or after vtec attempt.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

catalytic converter clogged possibly?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DIRTYsouthBB6 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

catalytic converter clogged possibly?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hmm, well, this sounds logical, but wouldnt i feel the effects of that not just in vtec? Because prior to vtec, my car runs absolutely normal.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by alterdcreations &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">check your fuel filter</TD></TR></TABLE>

Again, wouldn't this affect my entire rev range, not just vtec?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris F &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What do the spark plugs look like? How many miles on them?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I believe the plugs were changed 30k ago, somewhere around there. I think that they would be fine.

I think i'm just going to have to bite the bullet and take my car in to a dealership. Mainly because i just moved to Santa Barbara for college, so i dont have much time, no tools to work with, not to mention i can only get on the net every few days to get updates. Besides, my parents said they would pay for it, so i figure what the hell? Thanks for all of your help though guys. Once i take it in and it gets fixed, i will inform everyone of what the problem was. Thanks again.

 

VTEC solenoid screen is most likely clogged. Pull it and eaither replace the screen or remove it and shoot it with some carb cleaner.

 

Only other thing I can thing of besides the note above would be egr clogged. When was the last time the PORTS were cleaned and replaced?

Edit: Forgot to ask, any cels?

 

Re:Hesitation problem out of nowhere, very specific
Had a similar prob and found it to be the exhaust manifold was loose. Check the bolts on the manifold and also the gasket condition. The smell is a dead give away.

 

i vote for olivernon's answer

 

Okay, well, the solenoid screen theory makes the most sense at this point, mainly because before vtec my car runs normal. So now i have another question: Where exactly is the solenoid screen? I've tried searching on here and on google, but i wasnt able to find any pictures. If anyone could help me out, i would really appreciate it. I want my power back damnit!