Car not going past 5500 rpm

[Anthonyglk]

I have a 99 civic ex and it won’t go past 5500 rpm what could be the issue


Moved from Forum Issues and Feedback
AT Mod Usandthem

 

[ondma]

That it is a 99 Civic??
Seriously, I would not expect much more than that out of a 21 year old Civic. Even if you could push another 500 rpm out if it, it would not make that much difference performance wise, and is stressing the engine a lot.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Given that the rated HP peaked at 6600 RPM (and torque at 5500 RPMs) I would say that something like a limiter is on it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Civic_(sixth_generation)#United_States_Domestic_Market_(USDM)

 

[Dranoche]

Timing belt may be worn/stretched and skipped a tooth or two.
Or catalytic converter is clogged.
Or bad coil packs.
Or a knock senor.
Or, since it looks to be a VTEC engine, something is keeping VTEC from engaging. Could be low oil pressure, bad solenoid, a problem with any one of a handful of sensors that the ECU needs acceptable info from, or a CEL that has put the car into safe mode.

 

[NutBucket]

Yep, basically everything Dranoche said. There are lots of safety systems that will prevent the engine from revving.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Yep, basically everything Dranoche said. There are lots of safety systems that will prevent the engine from revving.

I saw a neat racing-green BMW sports car a couple months ago. It was sort of like a Miata. And I remember how I used to drive 30 years ago, thinking what a kick-in-the-ass that Beamer might be.

But these days, the thrill of even a Civic is not on top of my list of desired vehicle features. On the other hand, if my Super-Civic hadn't been totaled from the rear by a red 4Runner whose driver's attention was diverted by his boom-box sound-system and the chick driving a car in the lane to his right, I'd still be bombing around in it. I guess, by now, I'd have 100,000 miles on the once-overhauled engine. The overhaul occurred when the engine had already racked up 140,000 miles.

I had never pushed it to its red line. To be forthright, the Super was a modified 79 Civic 1200. Earlier in the day it got totaled, I'd noticed how it was almost flying up and down the I-95 -- steering spot-on, the vibration of the engine suggested a car with good Karma, and a happy Manitou. That thing ran better at 160,000 miles than it had done when it was new. I had magnesium Accord wheels and Accord brakes, and an Accord 5-speed replacing the stock 4-gear. It was in such a great shape when I was rear-ended and totaled, it nearly brought me to tears.

All those cars were built to be throwaways. Front fenders would rust along a particular seam, but you could get primered replacements from JC Whitney, and then spray heavy undercoat over the vulnerable seam and paint it. Eventually, engine mounts needed replacement, particularly this one mount that looked like a pendulum. The exhaust system would start to rot on these four thin pipes connected to the exhaust manifold. Certain emission-control items would go bad, but the parts were available. I replaced all that stuff. New Alternator, rebuilt carburetor, tip-top exhaust and fairly new tires. It was a better ride than what I bought off the lot. Thing felt like it was becoming airborne when you could open it up on the highway.

 

[Pacfanweb]

What happens at 5500? Does it just not go farther, or does it start missing or breaking up?

 

[mindless1]

Hook it up to a scan tool capable of live data to see if anything looks off.

Check the fuel rail pressure.

What maintenance has been done in recent years? Throttle body cleaned? Spark plugs or wires? New air filter?

if all else fails, disconnect the cat-back (exhaust) and see if it revs further, suggesting a clogged cat.

Do you really need it to go over 5500RPM? Trying to wring more performance out of it could end up costing more time and money than the vehicle is worth (depending on what's wrong). I'd be more concerned about how it runs UNTIL 5K5 RPM.