hi,
I have a Honda Civic EX-96. Off late the car is stumbling when I halt for a red light for few minutes, the car sometimes stumbles as if the engine is going to die but it never happens or hear a screetching sound that won't go off untill I start driving the vehicle. I am afraid whether it might be related to timing belt? I am planning to take the car for service in next few days, but wanted to get some opinion on what might be the problem and what needs to be done for the same.

Thanks,

Shankar

 

Is the Check Engine Light (CEL) ON? if so, here's how you can retrieve and interpret the code:

http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread/1901557

There are many possible causes for a low idle, so more information would help. At night, do your headlights and interior lights fluctuate in intensity? Maybe the squeaking noise is coming from the alternator, which might have a bad bearing or a loose or glazed belt.

 

Thasnk Ron. CEL is not ON. There have been no fluctuation in intensity on headlights or interior lights during nights

 

You should attempt to localize the source of the squeaking noise as it may help identify the problem. I don't think that a timing belt squeaks when it is bad, although a water pump might; however, a failing water pump is unlikely to cause your idle problem. Again, some additional information about your engine problem would really help.

 

The Sqeaking noise comes only when I am at lights(not everytime once in a while) and haven't been able to reproduce the same at home with car engine ON. The idle problem has been there for almost 2 months and when I took my car to the mehcanic few weeks back he mentioned that it was related to my RPM going less than 700, which was supposedly fixed, but I do see them once in a while going less than 700 RPM

 

Is it related to the air conditioner? It is normal for the rpm to fluctuate some as the air conditioner cycles on and off. Also the squealing could be the A/C belt.

 

Some causes for fluctuating idle speed are a dirty IACV, air trapped in the cooling system, and an intake air or vacuum leak.

The fixes are to clean the IACV with carburetor cleaner, to bleed the cooling system, or to locate the leak by spraying carburetor cleaner around the throttle body/intake manifold/vacuum hoses and looking for engine revving or bogging. Search the forum for more information.

 

Haa... I haven't noticed the air conditioner portion i.e ON and OFF cycle, will start taking a note of it.