Rep Power: 0

My check engine light came on a while ago and I ignored it because I really, really didn't want to deal with it in the time of Covid. After a while, the light went out. I noticed that it would sort of chug as I went from being at a red light to green light but today I was on a little hill at a stop sign and the engine stopped. I restarted the engine and was able to get up the hill but pretty soon the engine light started flashing. It was a brutal drive home and by the end of it the engine just wasn't pushing. Should I trade in the car without trying to get it repaired? Did I break the engine completely? Should I spend the money to get a mechanic to try to fix it? It's a 2008 civic and I'm poor and really need to worry about the cost of things. What's wrong with it?

 
Rep Power: 243

How many miles are on it?

You should get the code scanned, it's free at AutoZone.

A flashing CEL is a misfire. Have the plugs ever been changed?

 
Rep Power: 0

Thank you for the reply!! The car has many, many, many miles on it. I can go find out for certain if a more specific number will help. I don't think that the plugs have been changed in a long time!! If it were just the plugs, that would be a quick and easy fix. It would be amazing if that were the only problem. The engine wasn't moving at all though as I was rolling home, I really hope that I didn't destroy the engine. I'm afraid to drive the car at all. Should I just change the spark plugs and pray that it works then drive to autozone?

 
Rep Power: 243

You don't know anyone that has some knowledge of engines?!?

Has the maintenance been kept up? Oil changes and such?

Yes you can try changing the plugs they are easy to change with simple hand tools. Just don't cross thread or over tighten them.

I'd pull the plugs and see what they look like at the very least.

 
Rep Power: 229

Step 1: scan the CEL code!
step 2: fallow step one.

The CEL will tell you exactly what to repair or replace. Dont waist your money on maybes.

 
Rep Power: 0

I have to figure out how to get my car somewhere with a CEL scanner! Either way, whether I tow it or I guess at the problem it is going to cost me lotsa money. If spark plugs are the most likely thing, that's a cheap fix. Even if it got the car running it would be a lot cheaper than towing it.

 
Rep Power: 0

Maybe I can buy a CEL scanner Quick Replyand have it delivered if they aren't too expensive it might be cheaper than driving it to orielleys.

 
Rep Power: 222

Amazon, you can get a Bluetooth scanner for under $20

 
Rep Power: 511

You'd need the iOS version if you have an iPhone. Works great. Torque lite (or splurge the $5 for the ad-free version with more features) and you can scan/clear codes and get some real time monitoring telemetry. Seriously, the delay from actual readings to display on the phone via bluetooth is probably within milliseconds. I can't even tell there's a delay.

And just a clarification on the blinking CEL = misfire. Yes, it's a misfire, but more specifically, it's a catalyst damaging misfire condition.


edit:
edit 2: Torque lite app in google play store
All of $4.95 for the pro version. You have the ability to upgrade from lite to pro within the app, too, if you wanna try it out first then decide to upgrade later

 
Rep Power: 367

and get a friend that knows about cars...
internet help will depend heavily on properly explaining what you found out to us - we are not telepathic, we can't read your mind to properly answer.

 
Rep Power: 0

I bought a scanner. I'll post the code once it comes in the mail and I find out what it is. I haven't tried to restart the engine. Hope I didn't damage it too badly. If it just needs new spark plugs I will be ecstatic.