All the hiccups my Wagon has. All input welcome!

I'm just going to make this a theory/discussion thread about the little quirks of my wagon and ask that anyone with an idea or insight chime in!

First thing, if I take a decent turn or make a long turn, usually left, my car will cut out. This happens even if I have half a tank of gas. Could it be that my fuel pump starts to suck in air?

Next, under not quite wot my car will feel like it struggles to make the full power it could. It still runs really good and makes decent power, but it feels like it gets tiny little bumps of extra power while accelerating. Extra note to this is my tps sensor is calibrated properly and to my knowledge the iat sensor is working properly.

Lastly, if rpm is over 1500 and I completely let off the gas the engine drops suddenly to 600 rpm then catches itself and goes up to about 1200 and surges a tiny bit by maybe 100 rpms then settles at 800rpm.

Any input or ideas are appreciated. Thanks fellow wagonists!

Comments

  • Put a volt meter on your fuel pump and use a fuel pressure gauge and watch them wile you drive around. Ive heard the same symptoms from other people in different cars.
    Yes you could be getting air in your lines when turning left the fuel pump is on the left side of the tank.
    The surging can sometimes be normal.
  • Thanks for the input! Ive measured voltage at the main relay to fuel pump and everything checks out there but havnt measured it at the pump. Whenever my boost build gets underway the tank is coming out for the bigger pump and baffles are going to be welded into it as well.
  • I would clean out the EACV (IACV) and make sure your topped off on coolant. That might help with the idle issue. Also might want to take a look in the dizzy and make sure the rotor screw is tight.
  • I would clean out the EACV (IACV) and make sure your topped off on coolant. That might help with the idle issue. Also might want to take a look in the dizzy and make sure the rotor screw is tight.
    Good point.
  • I would clean out the EACV (IACV) and make sure your topped off on coolant. That might help with the idle issue. Also might want to take a look in the dizzy and make sure the rotor screw is tight.

    Cleaned the IACV once really good. I think I just need a new one. I know one of my injectors is kind of old, was a spare because a Napa injector, new, went out. Dizzy screw is good n' snug. I'm wondering if my coil could be losing power/slowly failing. Its a Shucks reman, probably 2 years old. All the input is appreciated guys!
  • Swap'd-D wrote: »
    First thing, if I take a decent turn or make a long turn, usually left, my car will cut out. This happens even if I have half a tank of gas. Could it be that my fuel pump starts to suck in air?

    Next, under not quite wot my car will feel like it struggles to make the full power it could. It still runs really good and makes decent power, but it feels like it gets tiny little bumps of extra power while accelerating. Extra note to this is my tps sensor is calibrated properly and to my knowledge the iat sensor is working properly.

    Those may be different manifestations of the same problem. Also considering that you cut out around corners I would have to ask if your battery is tied down securely. From the rest of the info you have given, it sounds as though you are the type of person who wouldn't let it flop around, but better safe than sorry. :)

    How's the power steering working? Only other corner related thing I can think of off the top of my head, maybe the pump is going bad and trying to freeze up under load. The wagon is the first power steering 88-91 honda I've had, so I have very little experience with P/S issues.
  • Just thought of something else, you may have a small amount of water in the tank which only gets sucked up in corners and under hard acceleration. Never seen it, but it seems plausible. How long has it been exhibiting the symptoms?
  • Those may be different manifestations of the same problem. Also considering that you cut out around corners I would have to ask if your battery is tied down securely. From the rest of the info you have given, it sounds as though you are the type of person who wouldn't let it flop around, but better safe than sorry. :)

    How's the power steering working? Only other corner related thing I can think of off the top of my head, maybe the pump is going bad and trying to freeze up under load. The wagon is the first power steering 88-91 honda I've had, so I have very little experience with P/S issues.

    Battery is secured and relocated to the rear. Used 4 gauge wire and has a good ground. The tank was removed before I ever ran the D15b in the car and cleaned out. Possible water could have gotten in, I've never had the cap off for more time than the time it takes to gas up.

    My wagon also doesn't have power steering. I really appreciate all the input man. All my grounds are good too.

    The surging feeling while under wot seems a bit more present lately. This problem doesn't seem to be related to my cutting out issues. I believe that is just the pump getting dry while low on gas. I have had some tps issues but I properly calibrated it. I also have a new fuel filter.
  • Do the symptoms exist before the car reaches operating temp? And have you checked to see if your spark plugs are drowned in oil?
  • Austhaboss wrote: »
    Do the symptoms exist before the car reaches operating temp? And have you checked to see if your spark plugs are drowned in oil?

    Not as badly if I recall. I hardly ever drive my car until its at full op. temp. Valve cover gaskets are good, spark plug wires aren't the best. I mean they still work but how good.
  • How old are the plug wires? If there are any openings or cracks then that's your problem. Try running it in the dark and use a spray bottle to spray the plug wires down with water. If you see spark or even glowing of the wires then that's it. You may have to snap the throttle a little to see it as that puts a load on the ignition!
  • Austhaboss wrote: »
    How old are the plug wires? If there are any openings or cracks then that's your problem. Try running it in the dark and use a spray bottle to spray the plug wires down with water. If you see spark or even glowing of the wires then that's it. You may have to snap the throttle a little to see it as that puts a load on the ignition!

    I know of one small crack in one. They're also mismatched. Two are old Boschs and two are O Reilly specials. I had to cut the ends off the O Reillys to pull the metal piece out enough to clip. Probably is one part of my problem. Next on the list is a good set of NGK wires.
  • Man that's not good. That would be the first thing to change way before fuel pump and stuff. Plug wires are so sensitive. If there is a crack in the wires or if you cut the shielding to fit on the plug then it will arc to ground! Electricity follows the path of least resistance. Spark to ground before the plug will kill that cylinder and you will have no power.

    Take your distributor back, buy a $18 set of cheap new wires, and problem solved.
  • Austhaboss wrote: »
    Man that's not good. That would be the first thing to change way before fuel pump and stuff. Plug wires are so sensitive. If there is a crack in the wires or if you cut the shielding to fit on the plug then it will arc to ground! Electricity follows the path of least resistance. Spark to ground before the plug will kill that cylinder and you will have no power.

    Take your distributor back, buy a $18 set of cheap new wires, and problem solved.

    The insulation has a little split and I just cut the end off a little where it goes onto the plug cause the metal piece couldn't reach and fasten on. I've had the dizzy for about 2 years and I'll never buy a set of cheap Schmucks wires again, lol. Thanks for the help. One problem solved.
  • So the last thing is the idle catch. I'll make a video, but when the gas is let off in neutral or clutch in, the rpms drop to about 500, then it "catches" itself abruptly and idles a little high, then settles to about 800. Some times I will get a small surge from 800-1000. I've bled the cooling system numerous times, also cleaned the iacv. Could the iacv be bad or the fitv be adjusted improperly? I mention the fitv because the intake makes some "airy" sounds. Not talking about the typical "cuuoghh!" when you snap the throttle or the roar from being a metal intake. When I let off the gas in gear after putting a load on it it sounds like I have a tiny bov. Also makes that sound constantly when load is applied. Like air is "squeaking" past somewhere it shouldnt, possibly acting like a vacuum leak?

    Sorry this last one is so tricky lol. Thanks for all the help wagon community!
  • Maybe your Idle is adjusted too low, try turning it up a little with the set screw and drive it for a few days to see if it stops. Maybe turn it up to 1000 and see what happens.
  • Maybe your Idle is adjusted too low, try turning it up a little with the set screw and drive it for a few days to see if it stops. Maybe turn it up to 1000 and see what happens.

    It idles at about 900ish. If I blip the throttle at 1300 before I let it idle say after I pull it out of gear and its on its way to idle it wont drop down to 500 the surge quickly to 1300ish and then settle at idle. It will slowly idle down. Also when cold sometimes giving it a tiny amount of throttle in nuetral the rpms will at first drop very slightly then raise.
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