Help: Integra - idle issue

[htheduck]

94 integra ls (auto): bone stock motor w/K&N filter.

The problem I'm having is a stutter on idle. It idles around 800-and it stutters to 700 randomly every 3 seconds or so. It feels even more exagerated with the A/C on - perhaps because there is more of a load on the car which bounces the idle lower.

Also on acceleration to about 3K rpm - it will also stutter (feels like the car chugs a little then gets up to speed). On highway/cruise control situations there is no stutter.

Could it be a throttle position sensor of some kind? I have cleaned the throttle body with carb cleaner-it's not built up with carbon.

Any suggestions would be helpfull. TIA. :thumbup:

[BCSpeed]

Dose it do it more when its hot or cold? or dosent it matter?

[htheduck]

On cold start, no sputter since the engine is perhaps running rich to warm up...idle goes up to 1300-1400 or so.

This happens only at normal operating tempuratures-in town/city type driving: at stop lights, mild accelerating between 1000-2500 rpm. If I stand on it it will studder a bit up through 3K, then after that you can't notice anything.

Any help/suggestions welcomed.

[CHR!S]

have you checked your plugs & wires? every now and then my cylinder 1 spark plug wire gets a little loose and the car will give a little sputter (feels like the car burped)

[BCSpeed]

I would say after inspecting your plugs and wires i would check your valve clearance. If valves are to tight it will cause a sputtering issues. Ive seen this alot on b series engine that have not had a recient valve adj.

[lude98SH]

Im not sure about the b series. But on the h series idle problems are ususlly related to a number of things. 1. Bad or cloggerd Idle Air Control Valve 2. Problem with the FITV 3. Clogged fuel filter 4. vacumm leak. As for the hesitation while accelerating, that may be an exhaust gas recirculation valve issue. So i would also check that for carbon buildup or anything else. I would also check your TPS. Another thing to look for may be like they said something with the ignition. Check to make sure everything is making good contact. Also check your valve clearences like they said, i adjusted my valves and a problem i had with hesitation at low rpms went away.

[htheduck]

Thanks for all the feedback. Sorry but my research for this car is like third priority since it's the commuter car. I'm going to provide more details now:

-195K and still running strong; LS auto-only mod is a KN filter

-since post: replaced:
wires (found one bad elbow)
fuel filter: only about 30K on the last one
IACV w/new one

Symptoms: still have the same issues with constant sputter on low accel. even more pronounced during hot/humid weather. less pronounced during cooler 70 degree nights.

The car will accelerate-but between idle to 2900 it feels like a missing "1/2" a plug wire! Beyond 3K->6K it's rather normal, with a few quick 'burps' but I'm assuming they are quick since fuel pressure is increased.

Items that I have not checked (yet) are: FITV, EGR, PCV, TPS, or valve clearances - since I haven't researched these in full detail.
-isn't the FITV only at idle?

Still researching and perhaps joining some Teg forums, but hoping for some quick, solid answers from this group.

Thanks in advance.

[lude98SH]

Yea ..the acceration i would check EGR, fuel filter,tps and possiblly valves

[saikoustyle]

check all your grounds.

[markley02]

I dont know the integra that well, but can you adjust the ignition timing easily? Can you turn the distributer? It sounds like you might be running a hair too far advanced!

[htheduck]

Again, thanks for all the input.
I haven't a chance to address this car properly.
I have a feeling it has something to do with the TPS and/or EGR-if the valves wouldn't I hear that honda tapping by now?

[BCSpeed]

You will not hear a valve tap if the valves are tight, you only hear a valve tap if they are loose. When valves are to tight you will not hear anything it motor will be quiet. This not allowing the valves to fully open in which will cause a sputtering condition.

[dturbocivic]

how about a new set of sparkplugs/cap/rotor........i know how you people think this **** last forever......

[htheduck]

how about a new set of sparkplugs/cap/rotor........i know how you people think this **** last forever......
covered.

[Renegade_]

In all honesty, try sea foam -

It cleans your fuel filter, injectors, valves, everything. I have not used it on my car yet so I cannot speak from experience but everyone that has used it says it smooths over idle and makes the powerband smoother.

[dturbocivic]

how about a valve adjustment

[htheduck]

how about a valve adjustment
-thanks for the input: post #7 - sixth paragraph

[highmilehatch]

Have you tried pulling any stored codes (if any) from the ECU?

[htheduck]

Have you tried pulling any stored codes (if any) from the ECU?
No, since I don't know how. If you care to explain how I'd appreciate it.
how about a valve adjustment
Any negatives to prolonged neglect of a valve adjustment?
Please list - thanks.

[highmilehatch]

On the passenger side of car.. by the glove box under the dash... green plug with 2 small plugs in it... the skinnier one with 2 wire.... take a small paper clip or wire and touch the 2 sides of the clip together.. put the key to the on position and count the blinks... long blinks represent 10 digits, short one digit. Example: Long, long, short short short would be code 23. Go to hondata.com and see what codes say

[Daniel M]

-Pull ECU Codes if you are throwing
-Check plugs(i have probelms with oil fouling my spark, causing "misfire")

[RyanG]

I'll put money on a cracked distributor cap. even if you don't "see" it , it may be there.

do this, at night with no lights on. Start the car and get a spray bottle with water. Mist the cap, wires etc etc and see if you can see arcing of anysort.

[htheduck]

Folks,
Thanks for all the input.
I finally addressed and fixed the issue (6 months later): IGNITION COIL

[DC2_JDM_ITR_KID]

serious get some new spark plugs NGK and MSD 8.5 wires! give it a tune up!!!! try it it will help!

[95TurboDC2]

my car was is doing the same thing.......its in the shop as we speak.....hopefully thats all mine needs....i put new plugs in and for the first day it was fine and then it ran like **** after....maybe it was the oil messing the plugs up......still waiting to hear back from the shop.....ill keep u posted