Automobile / Acura / Integra / Integra-2

Question:  2000 Acura Integra  mileage: 160,000.  I replaced the front left caliper a couple of months ago. Now my pedal sinks to ground at stop signs.  I am planning to change the master brake cylinder.  I am wondering if there were any mismatch between the calipers, would it cause any extra stress to the master cylinder.  What bad effects can I observe from changing only one caliper?  Thanks very much,

Answer:    From what you describe, the master cylinder is failing.  Changing only one caliper should have no affect on the master cylinder.

Question: 1990 Acura Integra 1.8L DOHC  mileage: 122,000.  I maintain it in accordance with the owner's manual. It's been quite reliable until recently. Three months ago while driving on a highway, the tach suddenly dropped to zero for a few seconds, but the engine continued turning and no warning lights cane on. The tachometer then came back up. I thought it was a fluke. A month later driving in heavy traffic on an expressway, the check engine light came on; Rpms dropped off, and shortly after the engine quit. After a short while, thinking perhaps the transmission had gone, not the engine, I started it up and drove it to the Firestone service center - the nearest Acura dealer is over the bridge in Brooklyn. After seeing, the transmission was fine. Firestone thought it was a fluke, as they did not replicate the stalling. I had the car tuned up, fuel filter and oil changed. A month later, the tachometer again dropped down, I gave it the gas and it went back up. As I slowed for a light, the Rpms again dropped, the check engine light came on, and shortly after, the car again quit. When I tried to restart it, the engine turned over but would not fire. I called for a tow. After waiting about 30 minutes, I tried it and it started. After it was towed to, Firestone They did a computerized engine analysis and said the engine control module was not showing any bad codes and it was fine. They determined the distributor assembly had to be replaced, as it not giving a spark. They said the igniter in it was bad. They also flushed the fuel injection system. I drove the car on a trip of 100 miles and it was fine. A week later on another trip to New Jersey, on the return the same sequence occurred - check engine light, low Rpms and then the engine died. Again, I was not able to restart it. While waiting for the tow, after leaving the engine off for an hour, it would restart. Firestone tried to duplicate the problem for two days with no luck. As the distributor had been rebuilt, they thought that the replacement had a bad coil, as the problem seemed heat related. However, they couldn't explain why I drove 100 miles problem free. They replaced the distributor assembly. I drove it home, but am now afraid to drive it thinking it might be something else and cold strands me again. I don't know whether I should just have it towed to Acura and have them charge a fortune to see if they can figure something. It's so frustrating thinking the car may die at any minute if the distributor was not the source of the problem.

Answer: We have worked on cars with similar problems. Replacing the distributor and ignition coil was the fix.

Question:  1988 Acura Integra 1.6L mileage: 133,000.  Car won't start.  The engine turns over but that is it.  I suspect a fuel system problem.  Fuel pump appears to have plenty of pressure.  A Noid Lite indicates that the injectors are firing.  Checking a spark plug, it was dry.  There appears to be a spark.  I currently suspect the Fuel Pressure Regulator.  The Fuel Rail has fuel flowing through it but I can't tell if it is pressurizing. 

Answer: Your car is equipped with a computer controlled engine management system.  An independent auto service center can scan your computer for fault or error codes.  The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning components.

Answer: Your car may have a seeping head gasket and/or a cracked cylinder head that is allowing antifreeze into the combustion chamber. At low speeds this would cause a misfire or your car to run rough. A slight amount of coolant in the combustion chamber at higher speeds would not be noticeable. You should have your engine checked for a leaking head gasket.

Question:  1990 Acura Integra 1.8L DOHC mileage: 111,000.  The problem has happened twice.  The first time I had pulled into a shopping mall and after about 15 minutes I started the car, was backing out of the parking space, and the engine quit/stalled.  I tried starting it and it would not start.  I came back the next day and the car started right up with no problem.  I was able to drive it (my normal driving habits) for a little more than a week, when I was going about 45 mph the engine just quit on me again.  After getting it towed, it started up again the next day.  Both times, it stopped; I heard no unusual noise or felt anything out of the ordinary.  I took it to a local service station and they couldn't find anything wrong with it, although they mentioned an ignition system problem with a newer model Integra.  They looked at it, said it appeared to be fine, and were reluctant to replace it on a "maybe" that would cost about 500 dollars.  I called an Acura dealership and the service department (I did not talk directly with a technician) suggested that the� hot engine restart" problem might be due to a problem with a coolant (ECT) sensor.  A man in the parts department mentioned that there had been a bulletin on an igniter problem with models around that year.  Do any of these suggestions make sense?

Answer:  Tracing down an intermittent stalling problem is difficult to do.   The suggestions to you about the coolant sensor and the igniter being a possible cause, makes sense.  You might also want to look at the fuel pump. If problem still exists, scan computer for trouble codes.

Question:  1997 Acura Integra  mileage: 150,000.  My car started stuttering while on the freeway. When I got home a checked the sparkplugs and two had oil (not burned but liquid).  Why is that?  Is it the head gasket?  It really cuts into the performance of the engine.  Is this something that I can fix by following the manual?  Pls., any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:  The spark plugs may be fouling because your engine is starting to use oil.  This is normally caused by the piston rings wearing.  Replacing the head gasket will not cure this problem.  As a temporary fix, try running a hotter heat range spark plug to keep the oil cleaned off.

Question:  1999 Acura Integra  mileage: 74,500.   You may think this question is silly but I've learned there isn't such a thing. I'm wondering what's the best oil (and weight) to use.  I average 80 mph on the highways (to and from work).  It can get very hot here in Georgia in the summers and I want my engine to have the best protection.  Your suggestion/advice will be greatly appreciated.

Answer:  Your owner's manual will give you the answer you seek.   The oil weight varies from vehicle to vehicle and from operating temperature range.  In other words, if you live in Alaska, your oil weight will differ from someone who lives in Georgia. Any of the major oil companies have good quality oil.

Question:  1994 Acura Integra mileage: 82,000.  The ABS light on my car was on so I brought the car to the mechanic and he said he didn't know why it was on so he unplugged the ABS.  I thought that would help the breaks sound better, but they are getting worse they squeak and make a grinding noise when I stop short.  Do you think I need new breaks?  If so, how much do you think they will cost, for front and back?

Answer:  The �ABS� (antilock breaking systems) light will �light� when there is a malfunction in the braking system.  The fault code is then stored in the computer.  The computer must be scanned to retrieve these stored faults to pinpoint the malfunctioning component. The grinding and squeaking noise is probably caused by the brake pads being worn down (metal to metal contact).  Inspect the brakes ASAP.  The cost will should not be too bad go to eAutoPartStore.com to find most Acura rotors are about $28.00 each and the pads are about $26.00 total cost about $82.00....at a repair garage for the same job, out the door about $340.00.

Question:  1999 Acura Integra    mileage: 120,000.  About two years ago my timing belt went on my car and I needed a head job done.  Ever since they did it, I have been going through a lot of oil.   I noticed one day when I was checking the coolant level that there was some black gook floating in with the coolant.  I have complained several times to the mechanic and he said the fact that I am burning oil was due to the head job.  He said it was quite normal.  Regarding the black gook in the radiator, he said that was mold.  The other problem that happened after the work was done is that my car was constantly overheating.  Now my car is going through coolant and oil like crazy.  I smell it burning.  I have always maintained the car, but I made a mistake by not replacing the timing belt when it was needed.  It has always looked as if it has been leaking through the head gasket ever since the head job was done.   Can you please give me your advice on this problem?  Thank you for your time.

Answer:    From what you have described, you have a blown head gasket and/or a cracked cylinder head.  This would account for the loss of coolant and the �black gook� in the radiator.

Question: 1995 Acura Integra LS 1.8L not VTEC mileage: 67,700. Noted for several months coolant temperature rising but never very high. Opened hood to change oil and noted no coolant in overflow tank. Fluid level in radiator low as well. After refill, fluid noted to be seeping out around seal between upper plastic part and metal body. Replaced with new radiator. After refilling and bleeding out air, noted fan wouldn't come on even when temp approaching straight up on gauge but would come on normally with a/c or if ECT switch shorted across. Replaced ECT switch but no change. Tested ECT switch that was pulled (after the fact!) and it worked normally. Tried running it and burping it to get any air away from the ECT switch but no change. Even tested the relay in the under the hood box. It works normally with and without power. Where to go from here?

Answer: The radiator fan may be functioning properly. We have found that the fan does not come on until the temperature gauge is close to 3/4th hot.

Question: 1994 Acura Integra  mileage: 130,000. I have a 1994 Acura Integra.  My car has no aftermarket parts on it. Recently I ran into a problem with it. When the engine rpm reaches around 3000 rpm, the engine hesitates. Then the check engine light comes on and then engine will not rev past 3000 rpm. It sounds like there is a rev limiter kicking in. This first happened on the freeway a day ago. When this happened I was forced to pull over. The engine will run in this condition below 3000 rpm with no abnormal noise or roughness. When this happened to my car, I was in the middle of nowhere. So, I was forced to drive a couple miles to a gas station. I kept below 3000 rpm. When I arrived at the gas station, I opened the hood and saw the exhaust manifold to the cat glowing orange. I thought that perhaps the cat was plugged. But unfortunately after trying several things to find the problem today, I was not able to do so. I also have a code 4, which is crank angle sensor. I have checked the crank sensor the way that All Data says to and it checked out ok. Perhaps you can help me out. This doesn't make sense to me.

Answer: The problem you described would indicate the engine is running too rich. Check the fuel pressure regulator and also the fuel injectors to see that they are not leaking. Also, check for a plugged exhaust system especially the catalytic converter and the air supply controls for the converter.

Question: 1991 Acura Integra 1.8 mileage: 93,000.  The hood of my car won't open.  I taken it to a repairman at a gas station, also I have taken it to an auto body guy, still I can't get it open.  The inside cable seems to still be connected to something but it does not release the hood no matter how hard I pull.  I don't want the expense of cutting a whole in the hood is there an easier way?

Answer:  Each make and model of car has unique procedures for what you ask.  The car manufacturers shop manual will have instructions on opening the hood on a car with a broken cable release.  The other alternative is to take you car into the dealership.

Question:  1991 Acura Integra  mileage: 158,000.  After doing, a lot of research I had a rebuilt engine put in my car a year ago.   My car has been running like a dream.  I do approximately 300 highway miles a week.  About a week ago, I notice my car's pickup or power was not right.  It feels like I am towing something or my a/c is on.  Can you give me any answers to this?  My mechanic told me it might be my air filter, my fuel injection filter or a pinch hose. 

Answer:  Check the catalytic converter to make sure it is not �plugged� or restricted.  Your car is equipped with a computer controlled engine management system.  An independent auto service center can scan your computer for fault or error codes.  The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning components.

Answer:   We are sorry, but due to the large volume of questions we receive, we do not have time to print, scan and email diagrams.  A Mitchell or Chilton auto repair manual will have diagrams showing the front axel.  The manuals also give step-by-step instructions. Click here to find out more

Question:  1994 Acura Integra 4-Vtec mileage: 81,000. I bought the car at 78,000 miles. It seems in excellent condition. I changed the oil at 81K and since then the oil light flashes intermittently, although oil is full and car drives excellent, with no engine noise. I suspect a sensor but am concerned. Any ideas or help will be appreciated.

Answer: You may have low oil pressure. With engine the stopped, remove the oil pressure-sending unit. Replace with a temporary mechanical oil pressure gauge. Start the engine and note pressure at idle and at 2000 RPM. At 2000 RPM, the pressure should be approximately 40 to 50 pounds and about � that at idle. If you do not get these results, you may have internal engine problems. One possibility is a stuck oil pressure relief valve.

Model / Acura / Integra / Integra-2

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