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Need Mechanic's Advice

  • hilliardfan
    I have a question for the OC gearheads. I have a 2003 Honda Civic EX Coupe with approximately 111,000 miles on it. It has the 1.7L engine with a 4-speed AT. The car has been in the family for about 5 years and has had minimal mechanical issues. However, ever since we got the car there has been intermittent stalling and hesitation when first starting out in the vehicle. The car will start and take off fine but will immediately start acting like it's getting no fuel and just won't go. It hesitates and even occasionally stalls. It usually does this for 15-20 seconds and then takes off as it should. It always occurs when the car is first started. Usually once it gets going there's no issue. It also appears to do this more frequently during warm weather.

    It's seems to me that it's just not getting any fuel during this time which suggests it's an injector issue but I suppose it could also be computer related or perhaps it's not getting the air it needs to burn the fuel. I haven't taken it to a shop yet because it's so intermittent that I'm sure it wouldn't happen while I was there. Any ideas on what the issue may be, and no, the solution isn't to get a Ford. lol
  • vdubb96
    Our shop charges a $69.95 diag fee. Hope this helps! :)

    Sounds like your on the right track though. Fuel pump, plugs/wires or injectors.
  • dlazz
    Spark plugs, wires, and fuel pump all come to mind.

    Has it thrown a code yet?

    On a semi-related note, my car started hesitating a little bit when I do a warm-start. Only trade-off is that my car only has 24k miles on it and is under warranty.
  • Belly35
    Injector, fuel pump, spark plus and wires ... check the air filter ... all seems to be good suggestion to check

    This sounds crazy but don't tight down the gas cap ... some gas caps have a hole or small screw that let air out of the tank. If those are clogged it can cause pressure to build in the tank a fuel will not flow eazy. Whne the weather get hot this become a bigger problem.
  • said_aouita
    Could be egr valves or some sort of temperature vacuum.
  • TedSheckler
    Blinker fluid, most def.
  • DeadliestWarrior34
    Have you checked and made sure that there's gas in the car?
  • Wally
    Sounds like you need to open the choke.
  • vdubb96
    Googled 2003 Honda Civic problems: number 1 issue is Rotary Gurters! Start there!
  • Ironman92
    I've had 8 Hondas and 7 with higher mileage than yours.....never had that problem. My carpool ride has a 2004 Civic and it did what your are saying.....but didn't do it until about 185,000 miles. She just bought a new Fit and uses it as a secondary but she never got it fixed.
  • IggyPride00
    Check for any vacuum leaks or holes in hoses.

    I had a car that hesitated/stalled occassionally and it was because this little plastic elbow had disentegrated and the car was just sucking in way too much air, which was causing it to stall/hesistate.
  • said_aouita
    Ironman92;1469310 wrote:I've had 8 Hondas and 7 with higher mileage than yours.....never had that problem. My carpool ride has a 2004 Civic and it did what your are saying.....but didn't do it until about 185,000 miles. She just bought a new Fit and uses it as a secondary but she never got it fixed.
    What part of "Need Mechanic's Advice" didn't you understand?

    you're
  • Trueblue23
    vdubb96;1469301 wrote:Googled 2003 Honda Civic problems: number 1 issue is Rotary Gurters! Start there!
    Very good point vdubb. Probably needs to check the end line specs.
  • Ironman92
    said_aouita;1469253 wrote:Could be egr valves or some sort of temperature vacuum.

    Are you a mechanic?
  • Tigerfan00
    said_aouita;1469557 wrote:What part of "Need Mechanic's Advice" didn't you understand?

    you're
    Oh yeah, his daughter can name all 50 states so suck it.
  • Ironman92
    Tigerfan00;1469577 wrote:Oh yeah, his daughter can name all 50 states so suck it.

    What is your problem?
  • said_aouita
    Need Mechanic's Advice
    Ironman92;1469310 wrote:I've had 8 Hondas and 7 with higher mileage than yours.....never had that problem. My carpool ride has a 2004 Civic and it did what your are saying.....but didn't do it until about 185,000 miles. She just bought a new Fit and uses it as a secondary but she never got it fixed.

    Ironman92;1469572 wrote:Are you a mechanic?
    More than you.
  • Ironman92
    said_aouita;1469706 wrote:More than you.

    Based on what....you guessing?

    My best guess is take it to someone who works on Hondas. Any Honda Dealership could fix it for probably twice the price but find someone local and let him have a look at it.
  • TedSheckler
    Buy a Mac.
  • said_aouita
    Ironman92;1469734 wrote:Based on what....you guessing?
    No.
    Hope this helps.
    dlazz;1469200 wrote:
    Has it thrown a code yet?
    This. If the "check engine" light is on, take it to Auto Zone and they'll do a diagnostic for free.
  • Ironman92
    said_aouita;1469761 wrote:No.
    Hope this helps.


    This. If the "check engine" light is on, take it to Auto Zone and they'll do a diagnostic for free.

    Man....you must've had some serious schooling for that wealth of knowledge.
  • ZWICK 4 PREZ
    You must be mistaken. Honda's don't have problems.
  • LJ
    Probably the muffler bearings going out.
  • vball10set
    Ironman92;1469572 wrote:Are you a mechanic?
    No, but he stayed at a Holiday Inn Express recently ;)
  • vdubb96
    said_aouita;1469761 wrote:No.
    Hope this helps.


    This. If the "check engine" light is on, take it to Auto Zone and they'll do a diagnostic for free.
    I wish I had a dollar for every vehicle that comes in to our dealership that was at Autozone/Advanced etc for "free" diag and it ends up being totally wrong. Take it to someone who knows what they are doing.