Rep Power: 0

Hi guys! First of all thank you for any time you spend reading and replying. Everyone has limited amount of time in life, which gives it value and you're spending some here with me helping a stranger. I hope the good karma flows to you.

I have a 98 Civic DX. I bought it last year with 71,000 Miles. Its now around 92,000.
Its an automatic, which depresses me.

However not as much as what it did this morning. I pulled out of the driveway heading to work. The first few miles is mostly climbing various hills. Recently it seems like it is making terrible shifting decisions not wanting to shift when I give it gas, instead it "bogs" going nowhere yet making more noise. I usually press the peddle down just enough for it to shift and actually increase speed up the hill. Today, it resisted! So tired of me yelling at its stupid automatic shifting it refused to do so. I put the peddle to the floor, and it began flashing the CEL light at me in protest. I got the codes, p0301 and 2 later on. The car, after being punished for its misbehavior is driving slow and steady like normal.

I have a garage mechanic aka parts changer who said I appear to have the original distributor and wires, which he said would need to be replaced either way. I however am not sold on this being the problem because its driving fine now. I also know dick about cars, why would I even have an opinion?

Also, I think my engine makes a funny noise. Does it?

 
Rep Power: 245

A flashing CEL indicates a cylinder misfire and so does that code. A tune up would be a good place to start. Easy to DIY if your mechanic charges you a lot.

 
Rep Power: 519

WHY put in a cheap junk aftermarket reman distributor if it doesn't need one? It's not even reached 100k yet.


Suggest you find a mechanic that can actually diagnose instead of fire the parts cannon at a problem.



Handy pic of the parts cannon:






The video doesn't sound too bad from this laptop.
EDIT: I can't discern much on any videos on this laptop. There's nothing like being there to hear it first hand.

 
Rep Power: 0

Thank you for the replies!

I believe he fired the parts cannon because I always stress I want preventive maintenance. All of these '98 parts are out of their suggested length of use time wise, maybe not mileage wise. So far, after reading guides reviews and consulting a few people who may or may not be knowledgeable I've decided to put in new NGK Plugs and Wires, and install a new Cap and Rotor. I'm not a car person but if I can disassemble phones and laptops this appears to be a doable "follow a good youtube video" repair I can perform.

I have put 200 miles on the car after clearing the CEL and have not had another misfire. I do however still feel a slight loss of power causing the car to bog down more than usual. Combining this with the A/C being on and I feel like I have a moped engine. Am I missing anything else simple and easy to replace?



I intend in getting these two kits. Thoughts?

 
Rep Power: 519

I'd want only factory parts for all critical timing components.

You DO know what is most likely to happen if anything goes wrong on the timing belt area, don't you?

------


I'd want factory cap and rotor kit and PCV. I'd get the correct NGK plugs from wherever is cheapest. I might go aftermarket on the filters and wires.

JMHO.