90's civic doesnt want to go over 60

[T2urtle]

Not my car but a buds. Its a late 90's model civic EX automatic and completely stock. Working fine for the most part and then all of a sudden it wont go over 60mph. Drives normal but he can floor it and it wont go past 60. I didn't ask if the RPM would climb, but he called me and i was really stumped. I was going to lean towards like a MAF, vac lines and a clog somewhere. Or a trans issue.

no CEL.

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

Transmission won't shift out of a gear sounds likely.

 

[BUTCH1]

I had a car that wold do that, a 64 falcon, 60 was about all it could do flat out..

 

[Arkaign]

Yeah could definitely be the tranny. Please tell him not to drive it until he gets it looked at, it could save him a ton of $$ if all he needs is a good fluid flush/fill and some various little TLC. I find that many car problems turn from hundred dollar problems to thousand dollar problems because people keep driving their shit until it totally doesn't drive at all anymore.

 

[Bartman39]

I had a car that wold do that, a 64 falcon, 60 was about all it could do flat out..

Yea but Butch it must have had that tiny 144cui (2.4 liter) I6...? Had to put it in low to get off a wad of gum...:biggrin:

I had buddy that had one too it was a cool car but in a head wind it would slow down to around 50mph... (we though about cutting holes in the floorboard so we could flintstone it)...

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Pretty hard to diagnose this without knowing any further symptoms.

 

[hanoverphist]

i ahve pretty much the same car, it should definitely go faster than that... :sneaky:

id say check the vacuum system for leaks, and definitely the transmission. take a good look at the fluid color/ consistency, mine is currently parked for a head gasket and transmission flush. the transmission would slip a bunch at 60-65, i flushed the hell out of it after finding out that the dipstick was popped out and rain got in there. once i got the strawberry milk out of the transmission it ran pretty well. then the gasket popped and im getting vapors in the coolant. one thing after another.

 

[BassBomb]

vtec not kicking in!

 

[arcenite]

This is what happens when you try to diagnose something from word of mouth, and then ask a forum to help you diagnose from word of mouth.

 

[T2urtle]

this isn't exactly diagnosing but a general idea of what possibly can go wrong. So when i do see the car i have a mental list of things to check before giving up and sending it to the actual mechanic. Sadly my friend isn't remotely capable of testing or looking at anything so i can do anything until i see the car.

 

[Kirby]

vtec not kicking in!

that's as fast as it goes without vtec.

 

[BUTCH1]

Yea but Butch it must have had that tiny 144cui (2.4 liter) I6...? Had to put it in low to get off a wad of gum...:biggrin:

I had buddy that had one too it was a cool car but in a head wind it would slow down to around 50mph... (we though about cutting holes in the floorboard so we could flintstone it)...

That be the one, it was easy to work on though, you could actually stand in the engine bay if you wanted. Amazing how far technology has come though, a 2.4L engine nowadays can bring acceptable (and in some cars) fast performance. OP, has your friend checked for a stuck brake caliper?..

 

[hanoverphist]

that's as fast as it goes without vtec.