One last ditch effort to fix my '01 EX, any help is appreciated! FIXED!!!!
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it ForumIf you've got a problem you just can't figure out, a noise you can't diagnose, or a Check Engine Light that won't go away, ask about it here!
I've been driving it regularly lately, haven't been beating on it and I'm still getting like 25-29mpg which is just awful.
CEL is always on, got it checked last weekend and there were TEN codes, all were misfires from all cylinders, random misfires, and CAT below threshold.
I could really care less about the CAT issue. It's these misfires that stump me. Replaced injectors, coil packs, plugs are gapped right, valves adjusted, crank angle sensor is fine, compression test was fine, all that good stuff. So basically, I don't know what else it could be.
I'm driving from Chicago to Seattle on Sunday and just b/c I'm a paranoid person, I would like to try and fix this one last time before I hit the road.
The car has 149k right now and I'm going to get the timing belt and water pump replaced before I leave.....turns out that this car has never had that service done to it......ever.
So, if anyone still kicks it on 7thgen.com (aka civicforums.com nowadays) and has any input, help out a longtime member with your suggestions and input.
Re: One last ditch effort to fix my '01 EX, any help is appreciated!
ahem, well the cat could very well be the issue. if its clogged it can cause major problems in the way the car runs. i think that should be the FIRST priority even if you just get a universal cat welded in to fix the problem. have you examined the plugs after changing them? do they look normal tan color with no weird stuff? there are not alot of things that cause a misfire. basically if the actual plugs are performing well and there is nothing funny going on like oil leaking on them, coolant on them, etc then the only other possibilities are fuel delivery problems (have you checked the fuel pressure lately?) or air delivery, or a problem with the sensors (unlikely if the cel doesnt say anything). other than that, maybe your ecu is messed up and unable to adjust the ignition timing. does the car actually feel like its misfiring? even single cylinder misfire will make the car shake like a mofo.
Re: One last ditch effort to fix my '01 EX, any help is appreciated!
Misfires only occur on the highway, and I don't even feel them. Thanks for responding Gearbox, you are always on point with this stuff.
edit: also, there was nothing bad on the plugs. Also, before all this happened I know that a code was thrown in regards to the CAT. This was a very long time ago, and there was no difference in MPG when that happened until the misfire codes started showing up.
Also, with those most recent (ten) CEL codes that came up, there was only one CAT below threshold that showed up. Not sure if that helps.
Re: One last ditch effort to fix my '01 EX, any help is appreciated!
u will only get one code for cat efficiency below threshold, id bet on the cat being part of hte problem, try the defouler first, see if it helps, if it does, replace the cat, or run the defouler
Re: One last ditch effort to fix my '01 EX, any help is appreciated!
Thank you green01civic4d.
As soon as I research wtf a defouler is on this stock 7th gen, it will help. having the timing belt/water pump done by a honda tech soon so that will be helpful.
Re: One last ditch effort to fix my '01 EX, any help is appreciated!
each cylinder (1,2,3,4), multiple, and random. I think they are what, 301/302/303/304/305? That , and the cat below threshold (I think that is 420 or 402? Don't have my notes by me right now).
Re: One last ditch effort to fix my '01 EX, any help is appreciated!
a defouler, or non-fouler, is something used on spark plugs to keep them from fouling as quickly, all u need is 2 18mm nonfoulers from a parts store, drill one out with a 1/2" drill bit, screw together, screw the secondary o2 sensor into the assembly u made and bolt back into the pipe, it blocks flow from the o2 sensor, keeping it from getting as many emissions, leveling oiut the fuel mixture, if it fixes the problem, replace the cat, if not, it may be a vacuum leak problem
Re: One last ditch effort to fix my '01 EX, any help is appreciated!
fix the cat, check fuel pressure, run some cleaner (valvoline is good if you cant afford FP60) thru the gas, make sure your grounds are good and coils are getting enough volts. you can put a multimeter on one of the coil plug wires and it should be 13.9v with car running.
Re: One last ditch effort to fix my '01 EX, any help is appreciated!
FP60 was ordered last weekend, waiting for it to arrive at my doorstep.
Multimeter tested out fine at 13.9v last time it was tested, running 4 new (well, slightly used but newer than my originals) coil packs from a fellow 7thgen member.
As for the cat, you said universal cat welded? Are those okay for our cars? (n00b question, I know. I'm assuming a universal cat is cheaper right?)
Re: One last ditch effort to fix my '01 EX, any help is appreciated!
the only problem is in cali, you need a special one for their low emissions. otherwise a universal would be fine. ask an auto store if they have one for the car. its tons cheaper than oem one and should work the same. restricted exhaust is a big problem. im assuming your 8 yr emissions warranty is over by now if you have 01.
Re: One last ditch effort to fix my '01 EX, any help is appreciated!
Yes a universal cat is much cheaper, you can get a 50-state emissions compliant Magnaflow one from Summit Racing for like $65. get a 2.25" inlet/outlet one it should weld right up.
Here's the part number: MPE-53005CA
Here's the defouler, but you shouldn't need one once you get the cat replaced.
This will back the O2 sensor out just enough to fool the ECU into not throwing a code. You don't have to order them from Amazon, your local Vatozone should have them on the shelf. Just look for the "Help!" brand of parts in the red packages.
Last edited by speedfoos : 08-27-2008 at 05:34 PM.
