im new to 4 cylinders but one thing i dont think could be right is at lower rpms (1-3k) it feels like the car is spuddering a little bit. it doesnt feel like a missfire just like the engine is struggling. i did a full tuneup (ngk plugs, wires, ect) but what im narrowing it down it is the exhaust. from outside the car it sounds like a putt putt and seems real clogged up, im scared it might be a clogged up cat but it also sounds like a broken baffle in the muffler.

one wierd thing is the car sounds turbo from inside the car driving because theres a noticeable wistle coming from the exhaust. what do you all think??

 

I have the same problem on my '99 2.3

I brought it to the dealer a few weeks ago to check on my transmission, and they said it was my B-Pipe that had a small hole in it and that my gaskets in the cat needed to be replaced???

But I noticed that whistling when i punch the gas too. I think they said around $500 to replace the B-pipe, i could be mistaken. Is this an easy fix to DIY??

 

whistle? sounds like your intake to me.. and putt putt? sounds like normal old engine backfire how many miles you got on the motor?

when my 3.0 is idle.. the car "putts" here in there maybe every 30 seconds.. its not loud.. just a quiet putt putt.. my ride has 185K btw

 

also.. try checking your fuel pump? hope you fix what you need to fix

 

My car kinda does the same thing below 2500 rpms. once i get past 2.5 it pulls smooth and strong. If i accelerate a little heavy at 1500 rpms then it sounds like it chugs a little and hesitates until 2500 and then it's mint... I thought egr system - but that's all been cleaned out and taken care of....someone mentioned plugs or distributer/cap/rotor...but i'm intrigued by the fuel pump idea or even fuel filter - would these two actually cause this??

 

im guessing you guys need your iac cleaned out or maybe a seafoam job.

 

if it does it every now and then, then it's just a typical honda, mine does that all the time, otherwise idk lol

 

mine does that too, it feels like a noticable power gain around 2750rpm

 

Mine does the exact same thing.... almost like there is a wierd Vtech that kicks in around 3000 rpms

 

Sorry this is a bit of thread hijacking but this reminded me about a problem I ahve ben having. When I am going downhill at about 3,000 or so rpms then let off the gas to coast the rpms will drop, and when I get to around 2,500 rpms the car begins to slow it self down, and it feels like I am just slightly braking. There is also a slight noise that goes with this, and as soon as I just tap the gas I continue to coast down the hill like I normally would, but if I let off the gas the same thing happens as before. I am pretty sure it is the tranny doing this, but am not sure if this is somewhat normal, or one of the signs that my tranny is going to die any day?

 

no its normal, our cars are equipped with a first generation "smart" tranny that shifts down when heavy braking is occured.. or shifts up when power is not needed to keep your vehicle moving..

 

I seafoamed last year - btw - it's pretty good stuff too. i probably didn't let it sit long enough though. i'll head over to napa and pick some more up though.

 

ive run a can of seafoam thru the gas with no effects, would it be better to run it through a vacume line to the intake?

 

That's what the directions say to do I believe, otherwise I would point toward the cat as a possible problem since you said it sounds clogged, or an exhaust leak, are you throwing any check engine lights?

 

Thats another thign the dealer said...It might need new gaskets in the cat and that my B-Pipe was leaking...i have the identical problem with my car that was originally posted. Anyone have a DIY on changing the B-pipe??? I searched but couldnt find one.

 

That's what the Seafoam is for, the vaccuum line. Try another can my friend.

 

well if it has a cel or won't pass emissions tests acura will replace it for free. they gave me a new cat when the cel was on for it.

 

This IAC is possible as a DIY job, I took out and cleaned anything that looked like a sensor. The sensor on the far right side of the intake manifold was filthy with I think oil from the PCV valve. Cleaning this stuff is a simple way to smooth the idle out a bit.

Also I know don't accelerate too much below 3000 rpm with the 2.2 or 2.3. it doesn't like it