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Hi all

I just purchased a '97 HX 5-speed with 99k that is bone stock. The car ran pretty well during the test drive around town. When I brought it home, I noticed it struggling to keep at 65 on long freeway uphills. I also have a '96 hatchback that is a lot more peppy than this HX. I know the gearing is different as is the motor, but think there may be something wrong with the HX. I have already replaced the cap, rotor, plugs, wires and filters, so it must be some electronic module or mechanical.

Before I find another for sale and test drive it to compare, can other HX owners let me know how their car runs and if anyone has any advice on what to check to get this car to perform as it should?

Thanks

 
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have you hooked it to a code reader?

 
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Hi,

No, I have not tried to pull any codes, however it also does not have the CEL on, so I would have thought it would be on if something was stored to read.

 
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not all of them. some are stored and not displayed until something more comes up.
and what 96? the HX are set for gas sipping, so they are not supposed to be V-8's, being the reason there are so many questions about them lately in the forums (yours is the third this week? Have not heard much about HX since Katrina)

 
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my 97 hx has a D16Y5 1.6l single cam and i Only use castrol (5/20) mine has 160,000 +/- miles and im having trouble up hills to. i loose power and usually have to downshift. but i think that the motor is just loosing compression due to age and needs a rebuild. i may be wrong but im getting ready to have it totally rebuilt soon. and id bet its gonna be alot better at getting up those hills! if anyone thinks im wrong PLEASE throw out some constructive ideas cuz im out of them. and a rebuild is the only thing i can think of....
(like compression problems maybe)

 
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I would defiantly switch back to the proper weight oil, 5w30 for 6th gens, and get a compression w/ leak down test done before I was going to rebuild it. It seems weird that you have to downshift, I stay in 5th gear and take on 30% slopes in my 97 D16y7 Honda on my commute and I can still gain speed going up if I want and I have over 200k miles.