90 dx wagon sputter?

MadwickMadwick New Wagonist
in Engine & Drivetrain
so.... 1990 honda civic wagovan 2wd automatic

i head to my parents house to work on the brakes. the car would sputter a bit as soon as it got into gear. i figured, spark plugs and wires since i just got the car and thought it would fix it. after stopping off at advanced auto parts, i head out to th house and the car sputters so bad it felt like i was adding gas one drop at a time. i finally get it there and tried to locate the problem. as i start messing with the idle valves, i have my buddy in the driver seat, i have him turn it off. as it is shutting off the auto trans fluid line popps off and spills the nice blood red fluid all over my shop floor!

what causes the sputter, pulsating idle, and shift hard?

Comments

  • MadwickMadwick New Wagonist
    nevermind. car is being traded back. no more wagon for me :cry:
  • DarrenDarren Wagonist
    Too late, i know, but sounded like the Fuel Filter or pump...
  • MadwickMadwick New Wagonist
    thanks dude. now ill try that but would that cause it to pulsate the throttle. i understand that that will cause the starvation of gas, but wouldn't the pulsating be caused by the vacuum system?
  • MadwickMadwick New Wagonist
    alllllllright... seems like the re trade isnt going to go through. guy seems to have fallen off the planet? problem still persists! car runs fine when in park. then in gear the car seems like the gas pedal is the kill switch. as you press the pedal, it gives it only a drop and then begins to starve the engine of gas. if it is the fuel pump, how do i get at it without dropping the tank? and fuel filter, where is that in the engine bay?
  • MadwickMadwick New Wagonist
    does anyone know where i can find a diagram on where the vacuum lines that are connected to the throttle go? im not used to this pgmfi
  • MadwickMadwick New Wagonist
    nobody?

    i have no CEL's
    the timing is right
    spark plugs are good
    main relay is good

    now the car turns over once and cuts off.
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    You're back in the game? Sounds like you may be on the right track looking at vacuum. The fuel pressure regulator is vac/spring, may be an issue. It's a diaphragm-looking doodad, on the back of the throttle body.

    With no MILs, look for the rudiments- fuel, air, spark.
  • MadwickMadwick New Wagonist
    well i found that the distributor had only the top screw holding it to the motor. so i figured that the timing had jumped but the timing belt looks fine and the timing is set. i installed the bottom 2 screws on the distributor and nothing. now the oil leak that was all over the tranny and block is somewhat eliminated.

    bam-bam; yeah im back, he doesn't seem to want to trade back. i took apart that diaphram and cleaned it and put it back together. nothing. now im trying to find out where the hoses go because some of them were cracked and nasty and some,... well i forgot where they go. i got home with a new spool of hose and couldn't remember what conncets to what!

    ps, this car looks like a shady mechanic had the car and got it running for little effort/time. i found one of the 2 missing intake screws that had fallen between the starter motor and solenoid. i might be chasing my tail with this issue but i'd rather get it working bc i really want this to be my dd!
  • MadwickMadwick New Wagonist
    OMG i dropped the tank bc the fuel pump is impossible to get to without dropping it. the fuel pump, tank float, and fuel tank are all rusted like ish. i tried cleaning it out and stuff. still same issue. now it wont prime but i think thats my fault. i also noticed that it was out of gas! feel kind dumb but the gauge would move and was on just about 1/4 tank and was earlier on 1/2 soooo.

    i need a gas tank, fuel pump, and sending unit!

    what gas tanks are the same as the wagovan?
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    tank is wagon specific.
  • MadwickMadwick New Wagonist
    Crap! well where can i get a new one? should i do a fuel cell? should i fix the one i got?
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    I have one in a parts car at the house 8) No idea on its condition, though. I may get a chance to pull it tomorrow. There are also a couple of wagons at PullAPart in Conley(southside Atl). The problem with junkyard tanks is sometimes the goobers cut a big gash to drain them, even though there's a drain plug!
  • MadwickMadwick New Wagonist
    yeah my dad and i have been to pull-a-part/ pick-a-part alot. my dad also told me he knows of a place in town(columbus ga) that re-finishes radiators and gas tanks. i wish the wagovan would have a cut out for you to check the pump without having to drop it! all newer hondas do and they even have a stamp where it should be. maybe i'll make one!

    bam-bam, i'd be willing to buy it from you if you'd ship it but if you dont want to do that, dont pull it unless you feel the erge! thank bro!
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    Madwick wrote:
    i wish the wagovan would have a cut out for you to check the pump without having to drop it! all newer hondas do and they even have a stamp where it should be. maybe i'll make one!

    USDM RT4WD and all JDM injected ones have this.
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    Madwick wrote:
    yeah my dad and i have been to pull-a-part/ pick-a-part alot. my dad also told me he knows of a place in town(columbus ga) that re-finishes radiators and gas tanks. i wish the wagovan would have a cut out for you to check the pump without having to drop it! all newer hondas do and they even have a stamp where it should be. maybe i'll make one!

    bam-bam, i'd be willing to buy it from you if you'd ship it but if you dont want to do that, dont pull it unless you feel the erge! thank bro!

    It'd be easier to drive up here and get it, no?
  • MadwickMadwick New Wagonist
    yeah but in what vehicle? my gsr has a custom trunk and i refuse to have a gas tank sit on my leather. and the wagovan isnt running right now. well, if i get a new pump or get mine working, i'll drive it up. i'll check to see how much it'll cost to have the tank re-lined and get back with you.

    thanks for all the help
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    I've asked for delivery help on importatlanta and eastcoastefs...looks like I may have delivery arranged, but I need to know where to. Are you on IA? Check in the Columbus Crew section.

    pm'ed you my number.
  • MadwickMadwick New Wagonist
    awesome dude, i posted up on ia, hopefully someone can help out. would you be willing to leave the harness, fuel pump and desending unit? sorry but im a needy child!
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    I'll leave it complete- that shell is destined for a non-powered future anyway :P
  • MadwickMadwick New Wagonist
    singing, " you are beautiful, in every single way"
  • wagodizzlewagodizzle Council Member and EDM expert
    bam-bam saves someone, once again :D
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    Just payin' it forward.
  • MadwickMadwick New Wagonist
    i have found the root cause to the crazy sputtering problem!!! the Idle Air Control Valve is malfunction for whatever reason.

    1)     is this common?
    2) what is the remedy? (replace or fix the one i got somehow)
    3) does anyone have one for sale?

    PS. i also have am sti;; trying to locate the fuel pump not priming issue. i replaced the pump and main relay but i cant seem to find out why its not getting the signal to prime. it is hooked up to the ignition wire off the cd player now and is allowing me to get it started that way.
  • darktricksterdarktrickster Wagonist
    1. Yes, although it usually manifests as a hunting idle.
    2. You can clean them, a search will provide you with the details.
    3. I might, pm me if the cleaning doesn't work. Part is usually around $200 or more new.
  • Call Me SirCall Me Sir Band Wagon
    Nearly 3 year old thread resurrection? Your new questions are vaguely related to the original topic. Maybe a new thread with a problem specific title will help you get the answer you are looking for. Just trying to help guide you in the right direction.
  • rb26dett240zrb26dett240z Band Wagon
    I'm having a sputtering issue as well. Did you put this issue on hold for 3 years? Just curious.
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