1998 Honda Accord Terrible Hesitation Problem when "Wa

BLAUVVY

MEMBER
1998 HONDA ACCORD
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
230,000 MILES

On my high-miles Honda Accord L4, I have a terrible hesitation problem with the engine. It seems to happen only when the car engine is "warm", meaning that the problem ONLY occurs if I have driven it for a while, let it sit for between 30 minutes to about 2 hours, and then start it up again. Doesn't happen when cold in the morning, and doesn't happen if I stop for a shorter time, and then restart.

The problem reminds me of what they used to call "vapor lock". However, my mechanic has looked it over and cannot find a thing wrong. He has even replaced the carburetor / injection body, with no effect on the problem. Also, no particular engine codes come up that seem related to the problem.

Two items of interest, one code that I think HAS come up has to do with an exhaust sensor. The only other thing is that the engine heat shield (over the exhaust manifold) is in pretty rough shape after 230K. Could either of these have any effect on warm hesitation? Any other suggestions? Thanks

1 Reply

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi blauvvy,

The O2 sensor might affect hesitation when warm and the heat shield definitely is unrelated. For the O2 sensor to be the cause, a scanner would be able to diagnose it as the readings would be out of specs.

Possible causes for hesitation after warming up are :

1. Fuel pump. After it heats up, it could be producing lower pressure if it is failing.

2. PGM-FI main relay. This relay is known to intermittently fail at temperature.

3. Ignition coil. Weakens at temperature if it is failing.