Help! Car trouble during acceleration :(

[bondboy]

Hi,

For the past month, I've notice that while driving, the whole car would jerk a little when I press on the accelerator. Doesn't happen consistently or at any particular speed-- just kind of random.

Today, I had a long trip to Lake Tahoe, which is a bit of work for my tiny car. So after the long trip, I noticed that when I'm stopped, and I try to accelerate, nothing would happen. The car would coast a little and suddenly pick up. And I can accelerate normally after that. The jerking motion is occuring more frequently also, and even happens while I'm idling.

So I let it cool down for a few hours, and tried it again. It seems like I can accelerate from a full stop like normal now. But the jerks still happen (seemingly random). Turning the AC and fan off seemed to help a little but not real sure if it's related.

Any ideas what could be wrong? Gotta drive back tomorrow, so hope the car can make it back that far (230 miles)

Any help is appreciated...

Edit: 96 Civic Auto 125K

 

[crab]

What kind of car???

 

[CombatChuk]

When was the last time you had your transmission fluid and filter replaced?

 

[QuitBanningMe]

injectors

 

[Anubis]

fuel injectors clogged
bad spark plugs

 

[quakefiend420]

possibly dirty fuel injectors?

or the fuel pump is starting to go, maybe

just throwing ideas out there...throw some injector cleaner into the tank...can't hurt

 

[bondboy]

it's been bout a year since I changed the transmission fluid...

would it be ok to drive if fuel injector clogged or bad spark plugs?

Question is: Will it make the 200+ mile drive??

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Could be clogged EGR ports. Not sure if it's a problem with civics, but it's relatively common for early-mid 90's accords. Easiest way to diagnose is to pull the vacuum hose off the EGR valve and see if the problem goes away.

 

[Stumps]

hmmm a ford falcon six or V8 would solve all of your acceleration problems

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: QuitBanningMe
injectors

Either clogged or leaking.

Lots of carbon build up on/around the throttle body and intake.

Clogged air filter.

Could be tons of sensors going bad...

 

[Pepsi90919]

throttle position sensor.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: CombatChuk
When was the last time you had your transmission fluid and filter replaced?

Honda doesn't use filters in their transmissions.

 

[bondboy]

Thanks for the help guys. Would heat cause this problem to worsen? Cuz it only seemed worse after my long trip today.

 

[quakefiend420]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
throttle position sensor.

i don't know about a honda...but in my buick when the tps went screwy it wouldn't shift any higher than third gear...and the idle was really funny...like it would shoot up to 3K sometimes