[johnintx]

After 238,000 miles, my Honda suddenly developed a sputtering problem one day while I was just crusing down the road. I have to pump the gas pedal, and/or downshift to keep it running. It doesn't take much under load, I have to barely push or pump on the gas pedal, to build up speed. I know this is an old car, but it was getting me nearly 70 mpg on the highway, and averaged 55 mpg in the city when I babied it before this problem started. That's the only reason I want to keep it, and hopefully restore it if I can solve this particular problem.

Unfortanately, no mechanic wants to work on anything this old, believe me I've tried.

Here is what I've done so far:

1. Checked timing belt and gears, and everything is where it is suppose to be.
2. New carb
3. New fuel pump.
4. New coil.
5. Ran with exhaust off, and verified it wasn't the catallytic converter.
6. Cleaned all batter posts and grounds.
7. Blew air in fuel line from filter by gas tank up to fuel pump. All shows to be good.

Last year, I replaced the filter by car, added new spark pugs, battery, distributor cap, and wires.

I don't know what else is left to check? Any good leads would greatly be appreciated.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Replace the Ignition Control Module--this is a must. Here's what it looks like and costs:

While we find your parts, please enter your ZIP Code at PartsAmerica.com

My bet is this will solve the problem.

[johnintx]

Thanks, I was hoping to hear from you. I guess I'll try that next week, will let you know how it goes.

John

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Do you have the 1.3L or 1.5L engine?

[johnintx]

Do you have the 1.3L or 1.5L engine?

Sorry, it's the 1.3 engine with 5-speed transmission. I had that in my original post, but it didn't go through, so had to rewrite everything, and forgot to put that in the second time around.

Also, if it may mean anything, it's quite an art to get it just to start since this problem. If it starts, it'll sputter around for about 20-40 seconds or so generally, and then finally clear up enough to where you can rev it high rpm with it in neutral. 1st gear, I can rev fairly good, but each gear gets progressively worst.

John

[TxGreaseMonkey]

I think a new ICM will solve the problem. Also, ensure vacuum hoses are tight and the vacuum advance works properly. 70 mpg is awesome. 56 mpg is the best I've gotten on the Interstate in Texas in my 1993 Civic DX.

[johnintx]

I think a new ICM will solve the problem. Also, ensure vacuum hoses are tight and the vacuum advance works properly. 70 mpg is awesome.

Just ordered the ICM, and will have it probably Monday. Regardless if it fixes it or not, I appreciate your time and help.

Yeah, the EPA listed the 84 Honda CRX with the 1.3 engine and 5-speed transmission as the highest mpg domestic or imported gasoline engine car for America. The sticker shows 51 city and 67 highway. Keep in mind though, that this is with the 55 mph speed limits. If I go 70, I lose about a mpg for each mph over 55. My personaly best on the highway is 69.4 mpg @ 55 mph, but I average about 53-55 @ 70, and that's if I don't have a headwind. :) It'll give me over 60 all day long as long as I'm driving 60, and again no headwind.

Anyway, I'll keep you apprised on my problem, sure hope to get it going again.

John

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Is your fuel filter new? I love keeping old cars going--your's is one of the oldest on this site.

[johnintx]

Is your fuel filter new? I love keeping old cars going--your's is one of the oldest on this site.

The one up by the carb is one year old, and is a see through filter. Everything looks good there. I should have clarrified in my OP that I replaced the fuel filter, looks like I just said filter. I have another fuel filter by the gas tank that is plastic, but I'm able to see that it is full of fuel, and fuel has no problem flowing out of it.

John

[TxGreaseMonkey]

One last thought. Pumping the gas pedal may indicate that you need to go over the various settings on your new carburetor; e.g. the pump adjustment.
Ensure mounting nuts are secure, preventing any air leaks around the gasket between the carburetor's base and the intake manifold.

[johnintx]

One last thought. Pumping the gas pedal may indicate that you need to go over the various settings on your new carburetor; e.g., the pump adjustment.
Ensure mounting nuts are secure, preventing any air leaks around the gasket between the carburetor's base and the intake manifold.

Thanks, the people that sold me the carb, told me not to mess with any of the settings, and I believe everything is set okay, it's doing the same thing it was doing with the old carb. It's always a possibility though, I did check a few things in the Honda service manual, and the carb seems to be set right.

Put the ignition control module on it today. Still no change, but it was worth a shot.

It's taken up way too much of my free time, so it looks like I'm going to put it on Craig's list along with my other CRX's and try to sell all of them cheap. I've got way too many other irons in the fire, and I'm not getting anywhere on this one.

Thanks again for your time and help.

John

[johnintx]

Update: I wasn't able to sell my CRX. It sat for about six months, couldn't find a single mechanic that would look at it. Finally had somebody that took sympathy on me, and he said his best mechanic could find the problem. He did. It turned out to be a lot of crud in the gas filter by my gas tank. Although I had seen it had fuel in it, I didn't bother to replace it, since the fuel seemed to flow okay. That's the difference between me and a good mechanic. It is humming right along again. It idles very high though with this new carb. The mechanic said it was bad due to the idler not being able to adjust down. I noticed this too, since my old carb would let me adjust the screw to get the idle down as low as I wanted. So, sometime soon, I will put the old carb on, but not before I have my gas tank vatted (spelling?) and sealed, along with getting my old carb cleaned out too. It will be nice to be getting close to that 70 miles per gallon again. Gasoline is about .75 cents a gallon higher than when I last drove it. Txgreasemonkey, thanks again for your feedback and help.

John