Car getting sluggish and getting bad gas mileage

miri

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2003
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2003 Honda Civic EX. Around 20k miles. The EX has the 127hp VTEC engine unlike the LX that has the non VTEC engine. I know that does not matter much but lately the car has been extremely sluggish compared to when it was newer. The car cannot go faster than 45Mmph uphill. I know the Civic is a economy car but performance has never been this bad. Also gas mileage recently has gotten about 15% worse. I have taken it into the Honda dealership every 3000 miles to get the oil changed, I also noticed that they always put to much oil in, maybe 1/2 to 2/3 a quart to much in. Did this permanetly damage the engine making my car sluggish? I changed the airfilter out around 12k miles with a genuine oem Honda air filter. I know cars lose power but the sluggishness is very bad. Could it be something like a sparkplug not working correctly? Should I just have them hook the car up to a computer for diagnostics? I am in work and school 7 days a week at the moment so I think I will setup a appointment after next week. Any suggestions if there is a problem with the engine? Would this be something the Honda warranty would cover? Thanks
 

KLin

Lifer
Feb 29, 2000
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I would imagine Honda would cover the cost under the factory warranty to diagnose and fix the problem.
 

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
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I believe adding too much oil can be really bad for seals (no, not the kind you club).
 

Radiohead

Platinum Member
Jun 16, 2001
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Try changing some small stuff first, before dropping lots of money at the stealership.

See if you can extract some codes from the computer.
And try changing your fuel filter first.
 

KLin

Lifer
Feb 29, 2000
30,438
751
126
Originally posted by: Radiohead
Try changing some small stuff first, before dropping lots of money at the stealership.

See if you can extract some codes from the computer.
And try changing your fuel filter first.

why should he? the dealership should cover it under the factory warranty.
 

miri

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2003
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Originally posted by: Radiohead
Try changing some small stuff first, before dropping lots of money at the stealership.

See if you can extract some codes from the computer.
And try changing your fuel filter first.

Well, would how much would hooking my car up to a diagnostics computer cost? Would this be covered under warranty?
 

Beau

Lifer
Jun 25, 2001
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www.beauscott.com
fuel filter, clogged injectors/lines would be my guess. If it was a mis-firing or non-firing plug would cause the car to idle and run rough.
 

miri

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2003
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This is my wifes car and the only thing in the trunk is her bookbag.
 

miri

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2003
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Originally posted by: Beau
fuel filter, clogged injectors/lines would be my guess. If it was a mis-firing or non-firing plug would cause the car to idle and run rough.

Would this be something covered under warranty? I am pretty sure the fuel filter is not due for change yet.
 

Quixfire

Diamond Member
Jul 31, 2001
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Originally posted by: miri
Originally posted by: Radiohead
Try changing some small stuff first, before dropping lots of money at the stealership.

See if you can extract some codes from the computer.
And try changing your fuel filter first.

Well, would how much would hooking my car up to a diagnostics computer cost? Would this be covered under warranty?
Originally posted by: KLin
I would imagine Honda would cover the cost under the factory warranty to diagnose and fix the problem.
 

miri

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2003
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Ok thanks for replies, ill setup a appointment with my Honda dealership.
 

Quixfire

Diamond Member
Jul 31, 2001
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Originally posted by: miri
Originally posted by: Beau
fuel filter, clogged injectors/lines would be my guess. If it was a mis-firing or non-firing plug would cause the car to idle and run rough.

Would this be something covered under warranty? I am pretty sure the fuel filter is not due for change yet.
Originally posted by: KLin
I would imagine Honda would cover the cost under the factory warranty to diagnose and fix the problem.
 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,422
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Originally posted by: Radiohead
Try changing some small stuff first, before dropping lots of money at the stealership.

See if you can extract some codes from the computer.
And try changing your fuel filter first.
Terrible advice. He shouldn't touch a damn thing and should take it immediately to the dealer. The car is still under warranty. All repairs will be paid for.