2000 Honda Accord Surging

PKLUTE

MEMBER
2000 HONDA ACCORD
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
75,000 MILES

I recently changed the head gasket on a 2000 Honda Accord. As you may know there were many things disassembled. After getting everything back together and starting it, it seems to idle rough for a moment then smooths out. When I try to accelerate the engine, it accelerates, then surges up and down. Once I let of the accelerator, the engine either dies or struggles to stay running. Could this be a timing issue?

Saturday, July 12th, 2008 AT 11:24 AM

3 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi pklute,

Yes, if the timing belt is not set correctly, it could happen. If you have a timing light, check the timing, if it is out by a lot, then the belt is definitely wrong.

If the valve clearance is too tight, it could cause stalling after releasing the throttle pressure.

Check for leaking or wrongly installed vacumn hose.

Make sure coolant level in radiator is correct, air pockets can cause surging.

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Sunday, July 13th, 2008 AT 2:27 AM

PKLUTE

MEMBER
2 POSTS

OK, the timing is definitely out. If I reinstalled the timing belt in the wrong location can it be fixed by adjusting the timing? If so, the Chilton manual says to loosen the distributor bolts and rotate it. The problem is the distributor falls out of the cam shaft when I do that and the holes are not slotted to allow rotation. What am I missing?

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Sunday, July 13th, 2008 AT 10:21 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi pklute,

No, the valve timing is out, adjusting the ignition timing cannot compensate for it, they are both different.
You need to readjust the valve timing by correctly setting the belt timing marks.

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Monday, July 14th, 2008 AT 7:22 AM