[90 Accord] Code 43 Returns!

Hi folks,
I'v read almost all the posts here regarding the code 43(engine
fuel supply) for my 1990 Accord(EX). About ~3000 miles ago, I
physcially removed my EGR, completely cleaned it, installed a new fuel
filter, and replaced my O2 sensor with a bosch replacement. When I
installed the last o2 sensor, there was oil surrounding(but not
penetrating) the plug. I cleaned it well with contact cleaner.

The code 43 went away until yesterday, when I was on some twisty
mountain roads.

The 'feel' of the car is exactly how it was when I first had the
problem. The car will begin to hesitate, for maybe 3-4seconds, the CEL
comes on, then power returns It *feels* like it is running rich(or in
'default/safety' mode), because the RPM's seem higher and it feels
peppier.

Any suggestions? My car is in great phyiscal shape, so I don't suspect
loose/bad connection at the ECU.

 

That might be a hint. Have you put a shot of isopropanol in the gas
tank to make sure there isn't some water rolling around in there?

Another possibility is large flakes of rust from the tank. There is a
little cone-shaped plastic filter on the intake side of the fuel pump
that is designed to keep these flakes out of the pump mechanism.
Sometimes they can plug that filter intermittently, dropping your fuel
pressure.

A fuel pressure guage attached to the fuel rail might be a good
diagnostic.

 

Hi,
Thanks for the suggestions. I have not added any dry gas lately, so
this will be the first thing I'll try(since it's the easiest). FWIW, I
was below 1/4 tank. How accessable is the fuel pump? Do you know if
it's in-tank, or in-line? I have a FSM at home, just not at my
fingertips.

A fuel pressure guage is on my list of tools to buy. In this
situation, would it really help me? I would have to observe it while
getting the CEL. Say the pressure drops for a few seconds - does the
ECU go into 'default' or 'safe' mode, for the entire drive afterwards?

Thanks for your quick response!
-Jamie

That might be a hint. Have you put a shot of isopropanol in the gas
tank to make sure there isn't some water rolling around in there?

Another possibility is large flakes of rust from the tank. There is a
little cone-shaped plastic filter on the intake side of the fuel pump
that is designed to keep these flakes out of the pump mechanism.
Sometimes they can plug that filter intermittently, dropping your fuel
pressure.

A fuel pressure guage attached to the fuel rail might be a good
diagnostic.

 

Read the label carefully to see if it's methanol (methyl hydrate) or
isopropanol. Either will work, but the latter is 5 times the bang for
the buck.

That's a big hint right there.

I don't know about your specific model. Honda uses both kinds.

I don't believe so.