hey i got a stock 97 ej8. i just got my timing belt kit, water pump, oil change done last week and adjusted the valves, fixed my fluctuating idle problem and put some seafoam in the gas tank and through the brake booster line a couple days ago. (smoked like crazy) anyway i noticed yesterday and today that when i brake at very low rpms in first gear (when stopping at a light or in traffic) my car starts to stutter back and forth slightly, enough that i can feel it but nothing real major. i have almost 83k miles on the car. im thinking its bcuz im due for a tune up, (cap+rotor+plugs+wires) but not 100% sure, any other suggestions?

 

It could be due to a bunch of different things. Check plugs, wires, fuel filter, and/or for possible intake manifoldleak

 

just drove it again now, it seems like it stutters after i slowly RELEASE the brake while its rolling real slow.

 

also the car shakes a lil at idle, more when in first, and not as much when in reverse.

 

it shakes at idle because its too low and the car is trying to stall. the vacuum that the brakes pull on the engine can also make the engine lug a little if the idle isnt right

 

whats the rpm range supposed to be when the car is at idle?

 

when car is warmed up, my idle is at 500 i guess, theres no line, but its almost exactly in the middle of 0 and 1.

 

who did the adjusting of the valves. were they seated correctly?

 

Did you run any of the seafoam through your crankcase? And if so, did you change the oil soon after? If not, thats always a good idea. With all the crap that the Seafoam brakes up, you want it out of your motor ASAP.

As you said, finish your massive tune up project (cap, rotor, plugs, wires) and if the problem persists, we'll have to look at other options

 

honda did the valves, the tech said the first 2 times they were too tight and timing was off and the 3rd time he got it. i only put seafoam thru the brake booster line (1/6) and the fuel tank (1/6). i didnt wanna do it all at once.