Fuel/Idle Problem

[guwarkjay888]

This has been happening for a while now, i have been trying to avoid it, but i fear my SH!TBOX is in too much pain

Well when the fuel gauge shows the fuel level at 1/3 remaining. The car sometimes goes into a spasm, it is an automatic car, but it feels like the car is stalling.

More detail:

I begin to slow down as a near a red light, in the process of slowing down and coming to a complete stop, the engine shakes and stutters and feels like it is going to turn off, but it eventually quietens down and settles. If you continue to use up the fuel, the problem becomes worst and the engine has even stopped on me before.

More detail that i have found out after driving a bit more:

When I'm driving on low fuel everything is fine, it is only when i am slowing down around 1000RPM or coming to a stop that it starts to stutter and go crazy and shows signs of wanting to turn off the engine.

Today, the problem was so bad that the engine stopped, and i tried to start it again but with no luck, i had some bystanders help me push it to the side. Then had to wait around 5-10 before i could start the engine again, and quickly went to the closest Mobil store to fill up $10, even with that amount of fuel in it, it was still showing some signs of stutter. As the fuel gauge was around the 1/3 full mark. Which is now known to me as the "your engine could die anytime" mark.

Also and it bounces from like 600RPM to 1000RPM up down up down up down then settles at 1000RPM if not.. it turns off engine oh and when its bouncing from 600RPM to 1000RPM.. the accelerator doesn't work

More detail of what I've recently been feeling:

The problem has expanded, that when i turn on engine now, and as usual i let it warm up to reach the middle of "H" and "C". The engine will keep bouncing revs like above 1000RPM, goes up goes down goes up goes down. Then by the time the temperature is where it should be. It settles on 1000RPM.

Problem:

I therefore have to always keep the fuel above 1/3 or else i fear for my life.

Solution:

Any help would be great thanks.

Are there any other parts of the car that would be causing the problem? Please don't speak in real technical language as i am just a beginner when it comes to cars.

Thanks, Chris

[2ndGenGuy]

I'd just take a random shot in the dark that there is a fuel pump issue. Is your car carb'd or EFI?

[Oldblueaccord]

Could your gas guage be off and your just out or low on fuel?

I guess the test would be to fill it full and see how it runs. There is a test for codes on EFI models there is a sticky on top of the page how to do it.


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[guwarkjay888]

2ndGenGuy: EFI, and initially i thought it was the fuel pump, and a couple of people have said that. But OEM fuel pump is way over priced here, I'm talking $900AU. And $176AU aftermarket, but i want OEM but to be on the safe side

Oldblueaccord: Not sure if it is or not, but I'm getting 300KM/tank and thats from full. The car runs PERFECTLY whilst on above 1/3 fuel, apart from that bouncing idling problem i get at the start now. So you can check if your fuel gauge is off or not by checking that sticky? guess I'll go check out the sticky.

Thanks, Chris

[2oodoor]

If the car runs ok with more fuel, the fuel pump is likely ok, BUT there may be debris in the tank that is picking up on the strainer screen on the fuel pump. If you take out the fuel pump thru the access panel in the rear compartment, you can try to clean that out without any cost for parts.
I would though replace the other fuel filters in the process .
The jumping idle sounds more like an air delivery issue. Clean the throttle body, throttle plate, wth throttle body cleaner. and see how it does.. post results!!

[Oldblueaccord]

No im sorry the "sticky" is the post at the top of the page that tells you how to check for error codes your ECU can put out. Your engine light may be on to warn you you have a code.

anywhere from 25 mpg city to 33 highway I would think would be ok depending on fuel grade you have wear on the motor etc. So like im near 300 miles and have 1/4 tank.


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[guwarkjay888]

If the car runs ok with more fuel, the fuel pump is likely ok, BUT there may be debris in the tank that is picking up on the strainer screen on the fuel pump. If you take out the fuel pump thru the access panel in the rear compartment, you can try to clean that out without any cost for parts.
I would though replace the other fuel filters in the process .
The jumping idle sounds more like an air delivery issue. Clean the throttle body, throttle plate, wth throttle body cleaner. and see how it does.. post results!!

Hrmm i'll look into cleaning out the fuel pump then.

I recently replaced the fuel filter with an OEM one from Honda, so it shouldn't be that

The first thing my friend did for the car when i first "called it mine" was clean the throttle body with throttle body cleaner, i felt a difference in performance, but nothing to help the idling (might clean it again soon, as my friend and i cleaned it like 3 weeks ago). The other thing that i want to clean but seems too hard with the knowledge i have with cars is the intake manifold but I've been told cleaning the throttle body should clean up the intake manifold as well as they are pretty much joined together.

Any other suggestions?

No im sorry the "sticky" is the post at the top of the page that tells you how to check for error codes your ECU can put out. Your engine light may be on to warn you you have a code.
anywhere from 25 mpg city to 33 highway I would think would be ok depending on fuel grade you have wear on the motor etc. So like im near 300 miles and have 1/4 tank.
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Yeah that ECU problem checking thing sounds sweet and easy to do, I'll be sure to try that when i get some free time.

Oh and about your fuel consumption and am i missing something or does 300 miles = ~483 kilometers. If my 3Gee had those figures with 1/4 left, I'd never change the car. That's heaps. So just to clarify with the people in the states, my car is currently running ~186 miles per tank.

Any other suggestions?

All your help is very much appreciated as i want to keep this car for the rest of my university days (4 more years)

Thanks, Chris

[Oldblueaccord]

I just got 325 miles and the low fuel light just came on.

that miles per gallon as well here stateside

You can clean the throttle body butterfly with a rag some acetone and your finger. Get all that soot off of it especially the edges so when its closed it makes a nice seal. Not running of course I mean.


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[LX-incredible]

How dose it run with the gas cap loose? If the tank isn't "breathing" properly, it can cause problems.

[guwarkjay888]

How dose it run with the gas cap loose? If the tank isn't "breathing" properly, it can cause problems.

I thought you were always meant to put on your fuel cap tightly, and not let it loose? Can you please explain this in further detail as I'm confused now.

[LX-incredible]

I thought you were always meant to put on your fuel cap tightly, and not let it loose? Can you please explain this in further detail as I'm confused now.

You are. If you look at your gas cap, you will see the little valve that lets air in. If it goes bad, the tank will not vent properly. Next time it starts acting up loosen the gas cap. You can re-tighten it after it vents, as it will take some time to build up pressure.

[guwarkjay888]

You are. If you look at your gas cap, you will see the little valve that lets air in. If it goes bad, the tank will not vent properly. Next time it starts acting up loosen the gas cap. You can re-tighten it after it vents, as it will take some time to build up pressure.

Oh so your saying if the symptoms start occurring, try loosen the fuel cap, and hear the "hiss" then tighten it again again and run the car, see if it helps with the problem. I'll try this on a regular basis.

Thanks, Chris

[guwarkjay888]

Hey I've been reading other threads, and i think it is because of the Main Relay, and i was just wondering where i can locate the Main Relay in a 1989 Honda Accord 2.0 Si (A20A4). If newbie language could be used that would be perfect and i am not mechanically able.

Thanks, Chris

[Oldblueaccord]

Well on my 88 lxi it is drivers side to the left of the clutch pedal on the wall above were the dead pedal is. So it is screwed to the wall that is the back of the front fender.

I think there some pictures on here if you do a search for Main Relay.



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