Hello, my 1998 Honda CRV has 325,000 (automatic) and I love this car and want to keep it running. 🙂 Last April I had a new distributor installed at a Honda dealership. That distributor failed this past month.
Before the failure I noticed my car did not accelerate as well as it used to and it was having a little trouble on hills. I changed the fuel filter and that helped the issue a lot but not 100%. The car started sputtering and stalling this past month and was told it was the distributor again. I had it replaced (different place) and when I drove it away there was an immediate misfire code. The mechanic did some adjusting and let it run. The misfire code has not come back. I drove the car again and it seemed fine - at first. After it sat for a couple hours I started it up again and it idled super low - almost turned off. I brought back again, and they adjusted the idle. Later that same day I notice that when I would press on the gas there seemed to be a delay between when I pressed the pedal and the car actually moved.
This happened sporadically (frustrating!). It also was having a horrible time trying to get up hills! I brought it back again and the guy made some adjustments. Told me the car is just getting old and that the timing and the distributor were adjusted as much as they could be. He did adjust it to where it is running better, but now its idling high (I will have to check the rpms tomorrow).
I can get up hills now, but it almost feels like I am driving a wired chicken - like something is adjusted "too high." I'm concerned that there is an underlying issue that is not being addressed and the adjustments made are just covering up the real issue(?) Am I paranoid?? I read another blog post where someone had similar issues after a distributor replacement but there was no response with a diagnosis.....can you help?
Later that same day I notice that when I would press on the gas there seemed to be a delay between when I pressed the pedal and the car actually moved.
If the engine revs but the car does not move, the transmission has some issues.
the guy made some adjustments.
Do you know what adjustments?
I can get up hills now, but it almost feels like I am driving a wired chicken
Check to see if you have clogged catalytic converter or not.
The most important thing you need to do is to find a good honest mechanic.
Don't know anyone in that area. Try changing your transmission fluid. Only use genuine Honda transmission fluid. Check out your local community center or votec. They might have classes you can take.
Check the throttle body cable. The cable might of popped off bracket or shifted. Or the cable stretched and has to be readjusted. it is possible the mechanic messed up with distributor timing . Just because you don't have a check engine light doesn't mean your timing is right. I had a 2000 crv and it's takes alot to throw code with a b20. I cannot figure out why he touched the idle screw that makes no sense. @ YASER said the rest.
Thanks, do you know of an honest mechanic in Northern Virginia? HA
He said that he adjusted the distributor and the timing belt. Seems to be running fine now, but the shifting is still a little off. Sometimes I have to get it well over 3000 rpms to get it to shift.
I think I need to go to school and learn to do this stuff myself :O)
Thanks for everything you guys - great help!!! And I appreciate your time:)