I have a 97 honda civic ex coupe d16y8 that was turbo charged for about 2-3 months and now is back to nat. aspiration. I found that ever since the turbo was on and now that it is off, there is consistantly a studdering problem that is becoming more and more persistant. (When driving it wll feel like a fuel cut, and studder then go back to ok. It takes about 5-10 mins of driving to become noticable. It seems to happen worse or more after high rev.(rpms). When the problem starts to occure, my boost/vac. gauge will drop from a normal 20psi to close to 10psi. the engine begines to sound as if it may stall the recovers momintarily. Could this be timing? I have replaced my fuel pump, my spark plugs, and checked my injectors. (All is good there.) All my vac. seals are ok. There is only bout 60,000 miles on my car so timing belt seems slim chance. Any ideas? This problem is really frustrating. If anyone knows what this could be, or can help in anyway, please let me know. thanks.

 

I was having a similar problem with my '95 Civic EX. I just gave it an all around tune up (spark plugs, wires, dist cap, rotor, PCV valve, and a fuel filter). The problem has not duplicated itself since then. I think the big thing was the fuel filter. I don't think mine was ever changed. Hope this helps...

 

I have a 97 EX 5-speed and my car does the same thing (just posted the situation today if you want to see what I wrote). The thing is, my car has had a complete tune up not too long ago. I got 90k on the car and when it runs it runs awesome. I thought it was bad gas at first, but after months of doing it on and off, I am lost. My car has new everything pretty much and I can't figure it out.

https://www.hondacivicforum.com/m_61..._//tm.htm#6158 is my posting.

 

hey Mech, it kinda sounds like a leaking head gasket to me, do a compression test and see. thats the first thing id check esp since you had FI.

 

Mech, it could also be the spark plug wires...if they aren't that great or they might have just worn down quickly. If you can, do a wire test and see if they're firing. The tune-up seem to work for me, but I know how frustrating it is cause it was pissing me off.

 

ohh, it is completely pissing me off. good thing i have another car to drive. I still think i will start with the fuel filter, i did a compression test around 85k and everything was cool. i have NGK plugs as are recommended by honda and i have a $80.00 set of bosch wires on there, new cap/rotor as well. I am still gonna try a genuine honda fuel filter first. I want to do one thing at a time, instead of all this stuff at once, so i can single it out for you guys as well.

 

hey guys im still haveing the problem i checked the ground on the thermostat housing and it was fine...it doent do it as oftern anymore tho...i was thinkgin it could be the fuel pump wha do u guys think?...does anyone know how much a fuel pump runs and where it is?

 

i have no idea how much a pump is, but its located under the back seat under a small silver plate (at least on mine, im pretty sure theyre all close to the same)

 

damn i gotta take the back seat out?...thanks for the info man

 

I think I kno what it is. I have a 94 civic and had a similar problem. With my car it was the IACV valve or Idle Air Conrol valve. wasnt feeding the right amount of oxygen in. I replaced it and neva had a problem. My car would shake when it would idle or when stopped at a light. As I accelerated it felt like it would cut off and i would hit the gas harder 2 drive through it. Hopefully that helps. Good luck