The problem seemed to get worse gradually. All of this work has occured afterwards inan attempt to correct it with two exceptions. The exhaust was done well before any problems were noted. The plugs and wires were done about 9 months ago. I can't be sure whether the problem began around then or not. Except for routine oil and air filter change, all other maintenance noted has been within the last month or so.

 

try resetting the ecu

 

I've done that the short way (pull the neg terminal) and the long way (pull the fuse, let 'er idle etc.) At this point I think the only differences noted afterwards are in my head. I'm going home for the weekend, I'll try checking the gaskets for leaks and report back on Monday. Keep the ideas coming.

 

if the car idles when u pull the fuse out, u pulled the wrong fuse. and what do you mean by "catch?"

 

Don't worry, car won't run with that fuse out! A catch is a brief engine slow down or studder. I didn't have any starter fluid, but ran a propane torch (no flame) around the intake with no noticeable change in the engine...no racing etc. So, if I did things correctly thereare not gasket leaks there.I said this only happens when the engine is warm. Really, it's at its worse when the engine is hot....the catches are more frequent and more pronouncedafter I'm off the highway near work, than when I'm still a few miles from home.

 

Could this be related to the distributer or timing? How can I make my own timing light without laying out the cash for a real one?

 

I may be way off base, but it almost sounds like you have a bad oil pump. I had a very similar issue with my other car, and the entire thing was because the engine was having an oil flow issue. Replaced the pump and ran some cleaner through the engine, and after a new oil change it was doing just fine. It also occured as a result of the car's cam sensor which was later replaced.

Not sure if that would really be doing it, but it sounds "somewhat" similar. It felt to me like someone was jerking on the car from behind when it shifted, or was idleing. It may be a totaly different set-up with the honda, I don't know myself.

 

Well, mileage is back up to 40 mpg. For those who were assisting, thanks for prompting the full car tuneup. However, the culprit was a bad set of spark plugs. The gap was fine, the plugs were NGK R ZFR5F 11. This is what folks at NAPA gave me, but I think my cars wants platinum plugs. I put in a new set of Boshe platinum plugs last week and the car has been running like a dream. The badplugs had 5000 miles on them and looked worse than the original plugs that had nearly 95000 miles.

 

maybe its something with your fuel pump

 

Plugs were not the problem IMO and putting a new set in did nothing but sidetrack the problem, to me it sounds like a faulty fuel pressure regulator. Does/did the car smoke at all when it did this? I hope the plugs fixed your problm but like I said I dont think that is what it is.