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Technical help needed.


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Anonymous Poster
zmasterflex@gmail.com

May 29, 2008, 9:42 AM

Post #1 of 6 (1396 views)
Technical help needed. Sign In

Greetings. 96 odyssey 4 cylinder. Frequently when accelerating the engine seems to get stuck on one speed. I don't have a tachometer so I can't confirm, but its seems to not have something and starts loosing speed until I can coaxe it back up to accelerate. I don't think it's the transmission because when I do get up to speed, it shifts fine. My throttle cable isn't stuck. I don't believe it's my fuel pump because I do alot of highway miles and the only time I have a problem is while accelerating or idling. I have a bigger problem on hills or in cold or wet weather. I have no problems when towing a trailer though. I can't bring it to a mechanic because this is a sporadic problem. i tried to change my fuel filter but it is buried down my firewall right above the axle and I couldn't get it off. The air intake is a cable also (mechanical). Does any body have any Idea what this problem could be and how to fix it?
Thanks so much for the time.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 29, 2008, 10:14 AM

Post #2 of 6 (1393 views)
Re: Technical help needed. Sign In

Sporadid problems are a problem. I'd get a fuel filter replaced anyway and just rule that out. Also get a code reading - there could be info even if a check engine light isn't on.

I'm surprised this behaves when towing a trailer?? Is routine maintenance up to date? Miles on it now?

T



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Anonymous Poster

May 29, 2008, 1:00 PM

Post #3 of 6 (1385 views)
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Used for alot of miles 183k to be exact. A very large majority of highway. Car has been maintained pretty well, has scratches and such but no accidents. One owner. Oil has been changed regularly. (rebuilt trans between 125-135k) As for code readings, i was thinking of that but the check engine light is off and was working as of a months ago. Is there a air intake sensor that could be bad?
The fuel filter is mounted somewhat uprite on the firewall so it makes sense that uphill I could have a problem. The filter is so buried, I moved whatever was detachable out of the way and was barely ably to get to the bottom bolt, 2 hours of frustration. I can't imagine a mechanic would have any better luck it is designed poorly. If he has to remove the axle or suspension components then I get raped on the labor costs. I guess the best option is to try to get a reading. Thanks


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 29, 2008, 1:42 PM

Post #4 of 6 (1383 views)
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How long has the fuel filter been anyway? A tech will have tools to get at that you probably don't have. I think I have about $40,000 bucks worth by now!

You simply do need to know all tune-up items are on schedule, air filters whatever is suggested. Easy miles or not it's up there. I'm thinking converter(s) could also be involved with the miles. Most last a long time but this is a long time now at least miles wise.

It would be worth a diagnostic professionally done not just to find this but to get a good idea of where you stand for the next so many miles.

A code could be stored just waiting but not enough to set the light yet. Still worth a try - free at AutoZone and no doubt several other similar places.

When you say it's intermittent and don't think a mechanic with the car will find it you can imagine how we feel without being there. That much harder,

T



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Anonymous Poster

May 29, 2008, 7:12 PM

Post #5 of 6 (1376 views)
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Tom, thanks for the help. My dad worked in factory fo 20 years, and I get to use all of his tools. The manual I have calls for a flare nut wrench, which I've got. There are two wrenches needed to loosen the bottom "bolt" one on the filter itself and one on the actual "bolt". The filter is so buried it takes a few minutes just to get both wrenches down there in position. It's impossible to apply any pressure. I had it up on stands but there is almost no access from underneath. I even had my 6' 2' friend with the long arms give it a shot but he couldn't reach. It's an issue of poor design. I don't believe I know more about cars than any mechanic --hence this post-- but it frustrates me that I can't get it off. I don't want to go to a mechanic and end up having him remove my master cylinder or fuel rail just to create room. I will go to check the diagnostic, I have little money for I am in college but i have the time to work on the car. It's my dad's and I want to keep it moving as long as possible. (I get the feeling that when the engine looses power it's not good for it wether from lack of gas or air). My dad always kept up the maintanence on the car and thankfully there have been few issues over the 183.5k. Thanks for the patience, I hopefully will get one soon.

Does it suprise you that this 12 year old 4 cylinder van still gets over 20mpg highway? That's better than some of the new SUV's!

You seem like a nice guy, I have a few friends who live in Boston if you leave me a contact or website, I can send them your way for their auto repairs.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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May 30, 2008, 2:22 AM

Post #6 of 6 (1371 views)
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Retired now but thanks for the offer of work from friends in area.

Hey - just flare nut wrenches are not enough now. You need a couple types of each size - they have right angle/ adjustable angle ones, crow foot with wobble extentions etc. to get at these buggers which are so carefully put where a 5 year old couldn't get a hand on! Then they put two together so you need two flare nut wrenches. The old days are gone! Bugger them up and you need the tools for rounded off ones and then make up new lines - can be a real Pandora's box of trouble for what should be so simple.

The MPG staying good with the miles isn't unusual if things are working properly cars should have the expected performance throughout the life of them. The newest of any of my own vehicles is a 97 so it isn't territory I'm not familiar with, age or miles to 1/4 mil!

T







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