Rep Power: 0

This is a very interesting story. I have a 2002 Honda civic ex 4 door. It has about 150,000 miles on it. I just bought this car and have been working with a local certified Honda technician to replace any issues that it might have. I have had the car for about 3 weeks and it has been running perfectly. The work that I have had done over this time includes transmission fluid change, two new engine mounts, replaced the black plastic cap on the left hand side of the engine (o-ring was worn), rear brakes, Ac compression line, PCV valve, oil change (synthetic), wheel alignment. The most recent work done was on Thursday of this week which was the tranny fluid, plastic cap and main front engine mount. Car was running great Thursday evening after I left my technician. Friday morning I got up and took the car to the Honda Dealership for two recalls. When I drove to the dealership, the car was fine. One recall was the SRS airbag and the second recall was the wiring harness for the headlights. They told me that after entering a code that was on my SRS airbag, that mine was not one that needed replacement. They did however change out the one wire for the headlights that was known to overheat.

I drove out of the dealership and literally drove about 100 yards to the Autozone to buy a break light bulb. I pulled up to park, put it in park and all of a sudden the car was struggling to idle. The engine was shaking,it got worse and then it cut off. I could get the car started as long as I gave it a lot of gas when I tried to start it and continued to give it a lot of gas while running. If I did not, it would not start and would cut off, respectively.

So, I called Honda and asked them to send a tech across the street and check their work because it was too coincidental. My Honda certified mechanic also came. The two of them worked on it. The check engine light was not on and the error messages from the computer that he hooked up indicated a misfire in two of the cylinders. They switched out the coil plugs and spark plugs. This did not resolve the problem. They looked at all connections and the Honda dealership tech checked his work.

I ended up having the car towed to my mechanics shop where it is now. He is diagnosing the problem. I thought I would put this story out there to see if anyone had any thoughts. It was so odd that the car had issues the minute I drove it out of the dealership.

Thanks for any feedback,

DuBose Griffin

 
Rep Power: 234

Possible bad replacement PCV? Left a vacuum line unhooked? Both could cause mis-fires. Also, could be it needs a correct valve adjustment.

 
Rep Power: 0

The PCV was installed over a week ago. Could it take long for idle problem to manifest?

 
Rep Power: 0

Sounds like the same issue I am having..

I just picked up a 2002 EX 4 door with 117,000 miles for my daughter from a friend. The car had a few issues that the previous owner informed me of. I took the car to get diagnose and got the error code P1361(TDC Sensor) and P0420(Catalyst system efficiency below threshold (bank1). Took it to my mechanic and had the following done.

Replace TDC Sensor
Replace Alternator
Valve cover gasket
New Battery
New Tires
Oil Change
Timing belt was replace within the last year by previous owner,

He ran the scan and no error codes no more error codes. On the way home I called him to tell the car was running great and at that time the engine light came on. Had it diagnose again and the P0420(Catalyst system efficiency below threshold (bank1).

So i took the car to Midas so the could examine the catalytic converter and the oxygen sensor since it was free. Determined it was a bad converter so called my mechanic he suggested just have them replace because the price plus i had coupon for additional 20.00 off

I drove the car around and it was riding great. I gave the car to daughter she drove to her mother house no problem. The next day she drove to the a few stores and then the mall no problems. When she was ready to come home the car would start but the idle was really low. I met her at the mall started the car sounded like it die idle really low. I give it gas and nothing. So I called my mechanic and he told me to bring it in. The car would not pass 10 mph. When I got there my mechanic came out looked and could not see anything wrong but did mention he heard a hissing sound like a vacuum hose was loose but could not see anything.

Mig

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for your feedback. My mechanic has fixed the problem. He told me via text so I am not sure what the problem was but I will be talking to him tomorrow. I will let you know what he found.

 
Rep Power: 0

Any word on what the problem was ??

 
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My problem ended up being a carbon deposit holding EGR valve open. He cleaned and reinstalled with new gasket. Hope that helps.

 
Rep Power: 0

My mechanic just called and said it was the Timing belt it jumped 2 teeth. He stated it looks like a piece of the bottom cover broke off and fell into timing belt causing the problem. He replaced the bottom cover and will show me the old cover. I will post PIC of old cover.