So my 1999 Acura CL 2.3l is having some problems... Its currently misfiring and not idling correctly. To describe the problem a little better I turn on the car and the idle might be at 1.5k or at 750 where it should be sometimes its low also close to 500 or below. Then it tends to fluctuate around randomly from there. It is also starts misfiring a few moments after starting as well. So far I have changed plugs, PCV valve, and the little thing inside the distributer cap (cant remember what its called right now). Also before the problem I changed wires, distributor cap, wires, idle control valve, a fuel injector, air filter, and probably something else that im still forgetting. If anyone has any ideas of what it could be it would be much appreciated.

 

BTW its randomly misfiring on all 4 cylinders.

 

Check all injectors and fuel rail for security. Air may be getting in if someone bumped the rail out of position.

Check that EGR is closing. It could be stuck open and overleaning engine.

Check fuel pressure to be sure it is in spec. It would have to be close for engine to run, but perhaps over/under pressure would cause misfire.

You could have a bad head gasket allowing water to enter the engine. Any white exhaust smoke (steam0 would be an indicator of gas problem. Random misfire seems wrong for this fault as head gasket usually leaks on one cylinder.

Any Check Engine Light? Presumably yes w/ random misfire. Anything else?

Frankly random misfire would more likely be an ignition fault, but you seem to have replaced all parts except distributor. You may need an engine analyzer to trace your problem.

good luck

 

Did you use Genuine Acura/Honda ignition parts? I would remove the distributor cap and inspect the contacts. Did you also replace the distributor rotor while you had the cap off? How are your engine ground contacts?

 

ya the part i changed the other day was the rotor couldn't think of what it was called. I havnt had any time to spend on it over the last few days but I did check the fuel rail and it had a little play in it. one of the bolts was loose i tightened it but sadly it didn't help. either monday night or tuesday i will be checking fuel rail and injectors more closely. Thanks much for the ideas so far.

 

I would recommend cleaning the throttle body really well. I mean take it off, remove all plastic parts, clean with throttle body cleaner and acid brushes. Replace the gasket when reinstalling. Also, as iansanerson stated, genuine honda/acura parts play a big role in trouble shooting. I have found that parts from autozone, napa, etc. never helps. Also, texashonda stated about the EGR valve. I have had that happen to me once and it did cause the problem you are describing. I would go with all geniune acura parts like new injectors, plugs, wires, rotor, cap. Hope this helps.

 

so ya last night we managed to find that there was oil spraying from my exhaust!!! from what I read online that isn't good at all =( I am also losing power randomly while driving now. =( At this point I hope its just something small like the EGR but if I have to replace the engine I would be curious of what all i could swap it out with that would be a bit stronger. Im planing on bringing it somewhere today so I can have the compression tested.

 

You know you can run a compression test yourself. You can rent the tool from Autozone and pay a deposit. If you return it you get all your money back. It is pretty easy to use.

 

they didnt have a rental when i went so i ended up buying one and doing it myself the other day. gladly the compression checked out fine no more then a 10psi change between cylinders.

 

Did you ever find out what was the problem ?