Decided jsut to start a separate thread, I already had someone give me some great ideas, hoping to find some more.
I just picked up a 98 2.5 TL 132k miles, but it has a misfire, it is not horribly bad but it is annoying me. I have already done plugs, wires, distributor, rotor, ignition coil & ignitor module. Suggestions given that I will try are, EGR, compression test, and seafoaming the engine.

Now, the second concern I have is that as the car was running, out of curiosity I opened the oil cap and had some white smoke puff out. Any ideas on this?

All help appreciated, haven't done much on Acura 2.5's.

 

It may just be condensation and oil warming up. Another suggestion would be pcv valve.

 

Hopefully this is not it, but also monitor your coolant level and check your return bottle for anything unusual.

 

First post on a 1st Gen thread ! woot woot lol, i had the same prob with my 2000 tl, have you cleaned out the EGR ports? inside the intake manifold? idk how the 1st gen engines are, so i cant really go into detail sorry... and deff check that pcv valve, scarey stuff lol..i just picked one up today gonna replace it in the morning takes 10 minutes, cost 8$-10$...ive had a misfire/rough idle problem for over a month, replaced all coils, plugs, seafoamed it, cleaned EGR, cleaned the IACV, finally opened her up and cleaned all the carbon out the EGR ports and throttle body, soooo much better, still has a slight misfire though, so im hoping this PCV valve is the final touches..goodluck

 

Thanks guys, I am going to look at the EGR & PCV... I will let you know what happens. :-)

Main70072 - I will keep an eye out on my return bottle.

 

misfire/rough idle sucks lol can never pinpoint where its coming from,.. you wouldnt happen to have any broken or lose bolts/studs on your intake manifold would you?... that could cause a vacuum leak, causing that misfire also... i had a broken stud on my top cover, sprayed throttle body cleaner on it to see if it was leaking, and sure enough it bubbled up and the engine "shook" like it want to stall... also had a loose bolt i didnt even know about until i had to remove them to clean the EGR ports.... every little thing counts =( as far as the seafoam, run a whole can through a half tank of gas... let the gas level get low obviously fill it back up, and when you hit a half tank again, run a second can of seafoam thru the gas tank.. best method, easiest on the engine, its thoroughly cleans all cylinders, just takes alittle longer than a vacuum line

 

Cool I will try that, I come from working on muscle cars, so I know every little thing counts, I have had newer Honda's & Acura's but never ran into this so before I start poking around desided to talk to those that may have more experience with the 2.5's. Thanks I really appreciate it.

 

So what ideas do you guys have on compression for the 98 2.5 TL. I did everything I can think of and atthis point I have a suspicion that it is low compression. Here is why I am saying it, drives awesome once it gets over 3 MPH and stays in higher RPM's and gear's, as soon as I stop and it hits lower RPM's & idle it starts to misfire and at times shuts off, so I am thinking loss of or low compression. Also, my CEL is blinking.... The code comes back random misfire which is not telling me anything.

Also, has anyone rebuilt a 2.5 engine???
Should I just look for another engine???
I am at a lost, I just lost my other car and now this one is not cooperating !!!

 

In the old days, I'd look for a vacuum leak. I don't know about the more modern cars though.

 

Soooo, I took the time to investigate the issue, and what I found was that it is losing compression, and the head gasket is gone. Now do I put the time and money into it or not !!!

 

I'd say find a cheap, but trustworthy person/shop and have them do the work. You still have a long way to go with only 132k miles on the car. That's if everything else (tranny) is working fine.

 

Yeah I am going to try and find a mechanic to do the work, the tranny is awesome, no rust, underbody is clean, so it may be worht it. What are you thinking a job like this will run me?

 

Check this out: http://repairpal.com/estimator

It gives you an idea of what you are suppose to pay to avoid getting ripped off.