Stumbling under heavy load?

Tiny
BENJAMINTHERERRIBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 HONDA FIT
  • 1.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 173,000 MILES
Starts and idles fine, but once I give it about 15%+ throttle it starts to bog down, then the check engine light flashes for a few seconds.
Where do I start?
Friday, March 7th, 2025 AT 10:10 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
This sounds like a simple engine misfire; I would run the codes to see which ones are stored. Also, if the engine has not been tuned up, I would start there.

Here are guides to help us get started on fixing the problem:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

This guide gives you information on the engine misfire:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

Let's do the tune up and I have included information for your car to help. I would also service the throttle body.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-tune-up-a-car-engine

Spark Plugs

NGK: .................... IZFR6K13

DENSO: .................... SKJ20DR-M13

I would install new ignition coils as well, also a very common failure. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
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Saturday, March 8th, 2025 AT 11:53 AM
Tiny
BENJAMINTHERERRIBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 58 POSTS
So I went in a changed all the spark plugs. It’s running much smoother now, but the CEL came back on as soon as I began to drive. Code p0138 b1s2 high voltage
I hate to say it, but I got under the car to look at the sensor, and it looks fairly new (I bought the car very recently).
Any ideas to what the next likely culprit is?
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Monday, March 10th, 2025 AT 12:35 AM
Tiny
BENJAMINTHERERRIBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 58 POSTS
O2b1s2 reads a steady 1.275 volts, periodically dips to 0.
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Monday, March 10th, 2025 AT 9:10 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
This means the mixture is rich like a leaking fuel injector, low compression or the exhaust system is leaking before the oxygen sensor.

P0138 - O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 1, Sensor 2)

Here is a guide to help us fix the problem:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/why-an-automotive-engine-will-run-rich

When you changed the spark plug did you notice one of them being darker than the others?
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Tuesday, March 11th, 2025 AT 9:54 AM
Tiny
BENJAMINTHERERRIBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 58 POSTS
Actually, the inner 2 were completely fried with none of the electrode left.
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Tuesday, March 11th, 2025 AT 11:06 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 54,137 POSTS
Opps, that is not good, let's do the compression test to see if the engine is okay. If the compression is good, I would replace the fuel injectors on those cylinders.
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Tuesday, March 11th, 2025 AT 12:50 PM
Tiny
BENJAMINTHERERRIBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 58 POSTS
Cyl. No. 2 is only giving me (but holding) 30 psi. It also might be worth mentioning that every time I pull the spark plug boot out, It gets torn and I have to replace it because it’s wedged in so tight.
What does this mean? Am I F’d in the A, or what?
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Wednesday, March 12th, 2025 AT 9:11 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Sorry, the engine is hurt and the cylinder head will need to be removed. The compression needs to be at least over 100 psi.

Here is a guide to show you what can cause this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/the-reasons-for-low-compression

You can do a leak down test which will show you if the problem is in the valves or piston rings.
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Wednesday, March 12th, 2025 AT 10:29 AM

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