accord stumbles when accelerating from idle

[ap]

Hello,
Seeing this problem on 2001 lx accord.

Car is idle due to traffic. Then when I accelerate, it doesn't accelerate smoothly, it stumbles forward, but doesn't shake or anything. It feels like somebody pushed the car from behind.

How often are tune-ups required?

Should I get fuel system cleaned?

Car only has 37000 miles on it.

THANKS

 

[Elle (2)]

It's at least due for new spark plugs, air filter, and maybe fuel filter. At least check the resistance of the ignition wires and consider replacing them. Conside also: a new distributor cap and rotor, and fuel filter and air filter.

Use only OEM or brands recommended in the owner's manual.

Elle

 

[E Meyer]

Tune ups are not required very often for this car if it's a V6 (the OP doesn't say). It doesn't get plugs until 105,000 miles and there is no conventional distributor cap or rotor or wires (if its a V6). The fuel filter is in the gas tank and is intended to last the life of the car.

The air filter should be looked at. If the car is an automatic (OP doesn't say), I believe one or more of the transmission recalls might apply.

You might try running some techron through it to try to clear the injectors. If that has any beneficial effect, then a fuel system cleaning is probably in order.

Does it light the check-engine light? Are there any other symptoms? Is it smooth at cruising speed? When you accelerate from a medium speed to higher speeds, does it also stumble, or is it just from idle?

 

[ap]

Thanks for replying.
The accord is a V4 and it's automatic. It's about 4 yrs. old.

I had the air filter replaced about 1 1/2 years ago.

The engine light doesn't go off. The stumbling is more
pronounced when accelerating from idle.

Should the fuel injectors be inspected?

 

[Ron Jones]

Could it be the EGR problem? Carbon buildup in the runners may do this. I have an Acura TL that behaves similarly

rj

 

[Elle (2)]

Tune ups are not required very often for this car if it's a V6 (the OP doesn't say). It doesn't get plugs until 105,000 miles

No dispute with your corrections except the following: Plugs have both mileage and time limits. The plugs are to be replaced at 105k miles or 7 years, whichever comes first. Also, these limits apply to both the V6 and 4-cylinder 2001 Accords. The interval is the same for severe driving conditions.

Too bad this sheds less light on the problem the OP is having. :-(

For the original poster and other American drivers: Owner's Manuals (which include the complete maintenance schedule) may now be downloaded at no charge and for only the inconvenience of waiting for a 300+ page PDF file to download using site http://automobiles.honda.com/ . Follow pointers to "owner link." Register and login. Click on "service/maintenance." Follow pointers to "owner's manual." Recall info specific to one's car is also available here.

Canada Honda has a different web site.

Elle

 

[E Meyer]

No dispute with your corrections except the following: Plugs have both mileage and time limits. The plugs are to be replaced at 105k miles or 7 years, whichever comes first. Also, these limits apply to both the V6 and 4-cylinder 2001 Accords. The interval is the same for severe driving conditions.

Too bad this sheds less light on the problem the OP is having. :-(

For the original poster and other American drivers: Owner's Manuals (which include the complete maintenance schedule) may now be downloaded at no charge and for only the inconvenience of waiting for a 300+ page PDF file to download using site http://automobiles.honda.com/ . Follow pointers to "owner link." Register and login. Click on "service/maintenance." Follow pointers to "owner's manual." Recall info specific to one's car is also available here.

Canada Honda has a different web site.

Elle

The suggestion from another poster to check for an EGR problem might be it. Low mileage cars seem to be more susceptible to clogging EGR systems. I suspect the lack of highway time inhibits whatever self-cleaning properties the EGR might have.

 

[Burt S.]

For the original poster and other American drivers: Owner's Manuals (which include the complete maintenance schedule) may now be downloaded at no charge and for only the inconvenience of waiting for a 300+ page PDF file to download using site http://automobiles.honda.com/ . Follow pointers to "owner link." Register and login. Click on "service/maintenance." Follow pointers to "owner's manual." Recall info specific to one's car is also available here.

No luck. Had signed up but where the pdf on "my vehicle" page?

 

[ap]

Thanks. Have you had a mechanic
clean out the EGR?

Do you recommend having a fuel system cleaning
job?

These jobs get expensive so wanted some feedback....

 

[Elle (2)]

No luck. Had signed up but where the pdf on "my vehicle" page?

Follow these directions exactly:

Go to site http://automobiles.honda.com/ . Click on "Owner Link." A new window will open. Click on "Register Today." When done registering,login etc. Click on "Service/Maintenance," then "Owner's Manual," then "View or download." The file is in PDF format and with a dial-up connection will take several minutes to download.

Elle

 

[Burt S.]

No luck. Had signed up but [where's] the [PDF's] on "my vehicle" page?

Follow these directions exactly:
Go to site http://automobiles.honda.com/ . Click on "Owner Link." A new window will open. Click on "Register Today." When done registering,login etc. Click on "Service/Maintenance," then "Owner's Manual," then "View or download." The file is in PDF format and with a dial-up connection will take several minutes to download.

I didn't find the "Owner's Manual" under "Service/Maintenance." What's the Canadian site or post or email me a sample PDF link?

 

[Elle (2)]

No luck. Had signed up but [where's] the [PDF's] on "my vehicle" page?

Follow these directions exactly:
Go to site http://automobiles.honda.com/ . Click on "Owner Link." A new window will open. Click on "Register Today." When done registering,login etc. Click on "Service/Maintenance," then "Owner's Manual," then "View or download." The file is in PDF format and with a dial-up connection will take several minutes to download.

I didn't find the "Owner's Manual" under "Service/Maintenance."

What year and model of Honda did you put in?

It worked for the 2001 Accord.

What's the
Canadian site or post or email me a sample PDF link?

I don't know if the Canadian site has the owner's manual on it. It does have the maintenance schedules. Address: http://www.honda.ca/default

 

[TeGGeR®]

Thanks. Have you had a mechanic
clean out the EGR?

Do you recommend having a fuel system cleaning
job?

These jobs get expensive so wanted some feedback....

This help?
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/tsb/accord/A99-085.pdf

 

[Elle (2)]

I didn't find the "Owner's Manual" under "Service/Maintenance."

Guess there's more than one way to get to the downloadable owner's manual. After clicking on "Service/Maintenance," click on "Maintenance Schedule." Then click on "Owner's Manual."

I tried a few years going back to 1991, and this seemed to work.

 

[Burt S.]

Guess there's more than one way to get to the downloadable owner's manual. After clicking on "Service/Maintenance," click on "Maintenance Schedule." Then click on "Owner's Manual." I tried a few years going back to 1991, and this seemed to work.

Thanks. It worked when I tried 2001 Accord. The other models like the 92 Civic/Accord is not there. Good print quality, looks like they are the original printing press format. 10MB file.

 

[Elle (2)]

Thanks. It worked when I tried 2001 Accord. The other models like the 92 Civic/Accord is not there.

You're right. I just tried to pull up the 91 civic. No go. I checked more carefully (sorry about the first time), and it seems 2001 models are the first year for which owner's manuals may be downloaded from the site.

The site does give the option to order online (for money) or call a toll-free number. I don't know if the toll-free number ultimately yields a free manual or not.