Engine loss of power?

Tiny
GAOTLOLWE LEANAME
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 240,000 MILES
The vehicle when stationary starts and idless normally, but when accelerating it losses power as if there is more air than fuel in the engine.
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Thursday, April 15th, 2010 AT 3:14 AM

42 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Lack of acceleration,chugging,hesitating,bogging etc. This guide will help find it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Friday, May 10th, 2019 AT 6:40 PM
Tiny
PHIG
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 128,452 MILES
1.6 ls non vtec engine honda coupe. Failed on emmisions test. Results low idle; CO 3.30vol% HC0ppm lamba 0.889, high idle CO 3.89vol% hc 232ppm. Took it to a garage and the mechanic said it is putting alot of fuel out the exaust, car is not fitted with a diagionest plug, some werent in that year. The car does not seem to be running that bad but sometimes lacks power, and then surges. Please help with any ideas
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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When was the last major tune-up and last oil change?

Have the catalytic converter/O2 sensor and coolant temperature sensor
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNISCARDRICHE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • HONDA CIVIC
I have a 1998 Honda Civic Hatchback DX with 175,000 miles on it and the car works great, but I find that the pick-up lags when the fuel tank is full and picks up when the needle goes down to 80% capacity or less. I believe this is what's explaining the slight differences in my acceleration from one set of days to the next. Is this to be expected? And why?
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,753 POSTS
Boy, right off the top of my head the best explanation that is also the stupidest one is less weight with the lower fuel level. Now there might actually be something to that but it really points to another issue. I would venture that your mileage or fuel efficiency is down a bit. This could be a O2 issue or a timing problem. Last tune-up was how long ago?

I guess what I am getting at is the car is running pretty well but is not giving a full use of the fuel being dumped in to it and thus is failing to give the power it is capable of. Try adding a passenger when the fuel is low and see if the sluggishness returns. But check in to the other suggestions to improve the power.

One more item, think about replacing the air and fuel filters.
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BECKY KENNEDY-GILLIHAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 HONDA CIVIC
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 240,000 MILES
Start fine and drives but want to get up to about thirty miles per hour it seems like it loses power gets real sluggish.
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
At 240,000 miles have you tried replacing the fuel filter? I have found that fuel restriction can be in the fuel tank pump screen or the fuel filter itself.
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OAKLAND50
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • HONDA CIVIC
I have a Honda Civic 1998 with 102,000 miles on it, my check engine light came on and ever since I have problems with accelerating. I will put my foot on the gas and my car will kind of jerk like its trying to get gas but cant, so can anyone give me a idea what this could be thanks. Also had tune up about 5 months ago so I know that shouldnt be the problem.
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,753 POSTS
Why is it that everyone seems to think the check engine light means nothing. It is your computer asking for help. Something that it uses is malfunctioning and this throws everything in to caos. Find the code and get back.
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KAYLAMAIREE2010
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 HONDA CIVIC
Noises problem
1998 Honda Civic 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 100k miles

I wrecked my car, the hood buckled i have a hole in my bumper and under my hood it sounds like my fan is rubbing against my hood and my engine wont rev


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/485210_100217_155245_1.jpg

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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
What exactly would you like help on? Please be specific so we can assist you!
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KAYLAMAIREE2010
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Well the fan is against the exhaust manifold the fenders are bent the hood is bent they have a hole in my bumper cover my left light is loose. How much do you think it will cost me

& what could be the reason why my engine is revving high
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SOSIDEGAL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • HONDA CIVIC
I have a 1998 Honda Civic HX 1.6L MFI VTEC-E with 150,000 miles on it. I have had no real problems and done all maintenance as I should. One day it wouldn't start and I had to get a jump so I thought it needed a new battery. I replaced it and I'm still having issues. When the car is idleing, it idles a little low. If I turn the air on it drops a lot more and tries to cut off. I took it to my mechanic and he said he thinks it's a sensor but didn't know how to change it. Any ideas what this could be or what I need to do to fix it. I have a friend who works on cars and I'd like to be able to take it to him and tell him what to fix. Thanks in advance for your help! Brook
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Find the idle air control valve take it out and clean it and see what happens. When the AC signal is recieved by the computer it tells the IACV to increase engine speed due to the AC load. You can try to adjust minimum air if you wish.
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SS90SKEETER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 HONDA CIVIC
I have a 1998 civic LX 140K with automatic trans,
Just recently, I noticed the engine light come on then seconds after the speedometer went erratic just jumping all over the place and the motor started to bog down (idling up and down and almost chocking).
I replaced the computer with no change and tried to find loose connectors but dont know where to start.
Please Help
Thanks Vince
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
With the engine light comming on and the erratic way the engine is running I would get the car scanned. Before you do try something disconnect the negative side of the battery, leave it off for about 5 minutes. Reconnect it. Start the car and drive it. With diconnecting the battery the computer will start resetting itself, most vwehicle now the car has to be driven for a while before the computer will reset itself completly
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LFR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 HONDA CIVIC
Engine Performance problem
1998 Honda Civic 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 130.00 miles

My '98 Honda Civic has a very strange problem, mechanics can't figure out.
When it's cold, it usually runs perfectly, but as soon as I start driving for a few minutes, first the rps start jumping up and down out of control, then the car starts losing power when you accelerate, and starts jerking, it never turns off, but it jerks badly, it's not the transmission, because it does the same engine sound when you accelerate with the car parked.
The car sounds fine in idle, when you accelerate is the problem, it has some sort of broken sound coming from below(maybe the catalystic converter?)
Check engine gives codes of 300-304-ign misfire and 1399.
Replaced cables, spark plugs are fine, distributor, timing belt seems fine.
Dont know what to check anymore
I appreciate any help, thanks!
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:25 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MAZNITT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 189,000 MILES
My car does not want to accelerate
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
Check and retrieve any DTC's in the ECU
-Check ignition and mechanical timing
-Check condition of spark plugs, wires, ignition cap and rotor
-Ensure you are receiving proper fuel pressure
-Make sure you do not have a mechanical induced problem (a bent valve, low compression, etc)
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEVROLL
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
  • HONDA CIVIC
My 1997 Honda Civic doesn't accelerate when I push the throttle down normally (it bogs down). If I push it down very slowly it will accelerate fine. Anybody have any ideas?
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Saturday, August 8th, 2020 AT 11:27 AM (Merged)

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