Rep Power: 0

I have a 1998 Honda Civic EX that is completely stock. I am really pissed off. My dad had just rebuilt the entire frontend after someone with a large truck had backed into the frontend causing lots of damage. My dad had to replace the hood, fenders, headlights, the frontend that supports the radiator, etc. I drove the car one day and now the car starts then dies. When it starts it acts as though the timing is off, it’s backfiring and will not run longer than 15 seconds. I can restart the engine and it does the same thing, it dies. The check engine light has come on just after the car starting running bad. My dad thinks it may be the fuel pump or fuel filter but as I said it sounds like the timing is off.

I know my dad has had it with me and my girlfriend’s vehicles. Last week my dad had to drop the fuel tank on my girlfriends ford quad cab and replace the fuel pump. I am lucky to have a dad who can repair things.

Anybody have a clue or a suggestion? Thanks in advance, hope to get some replies… Ryan

 
Rep Power: 0

I had a similar problem, turned out to be my alternator that needed to be replaced.

 
Rep Power: 190

first off do the simple things, check the battery terminals make sure they are tight, clean and secure, in the engine bay fuse box there are 2 screw philips heads that hold the battery power cables down make sure they are tight. It could be low power does it sound weak when you turn it over? There are many causes for what you described and when in doubt change the fuel filter. If your dad is mechanically inclined learn from him, its a skill that will serve you well over the years and lastly download the manual in my sig it has tons of info on these cars that will be very beneficial to you.

 
Rep Power: 0

I had the same OP problem about 3 months ago (check light, severely underpowdered and shuddering engine, sound like a backfiring exhaust). The mechanic found that two of the ignition coils had burnt out. I did have a bit of a muffler hole too, so possibly unrelated.