96 Honda Accord EX V6 with many problems; Could it possibly all be related?

BDANCY

MEMBER
1996 HONDA ACCORD
211,000 MILES

I own a 96 honda accord ex v6 with 211,000 miles on it. In the past year I have put several thousand dollars into it. It has a new radiator, a new water pump, thermostat, alternator, new hoses, new ac, replaced timing belt, valve cover gaskets, new radiator cap, fixed an oil leak. And more. (I will dig out receipts to see all items if need be). But basically, everything except motor and transmission are brand new in this car. Recently, I have had issues with the car trying to overheat. I studied it to check for any fluid under the car to see where it could possibly be coming from. No leaks. After driving it alot one day I lifted the hood when I parked it and there was so much pressure under the radiator cap that the coolant was coming out. After letting the car sit overnight or even for a couple days you have to be so careful when removing the cap because the amount of pressure still built up underneath is incredible. I have also noticed that the power this car once had just isnt there anymore. It has become more and more hesitant when driving up a hill. The gears take forever to change when starting back up again from a stop, and they have become very jumpy. Water drips from the exhaust pipes, which could be normal, but have never seen this from my car before. If you put ears to exhaust pipes, you can kinda hear that "put putty" kind of sound as if its misfiring I guess. Havent really paid attention to see if theres a foul odor though. When sitting at a stop the rpm's get low and the car acts like it wants to cut off. Now, just last night, after making a turn onto a road I was pushing the gas pedal and it started jerking really bad and acted like it didnt want to go anywhere and the check engine light came on. I will be going to my mechanic first thing monday morning to have the codes read, but in the meantime I have self diagnosed my cars issue as having a bad catalytic converter and 02 sensors. Does this sound like it could be my problem?

4 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Checkfor a head gasket/intake gasket leak. Also the trans problem has to have a good engine before any problems are resoclved withthat. That can be pressure checked to see if there is a leak.

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Sunday, July 8th, 2012 AT 10:43 PM

BDANCY

MEMBER
3 POSTS

So I dug out some receipts. Adding to the list of things replaced is replacing rear cam plug, the ac knob, 2 valve cover gaskets, replaced both upper and both side cover gaskets, new ac comp with new clutch, ac filter dryer, o2 sensor replaced and codes cleared, timing belt, alt belt, p/s belt, new water pump, camshaft seal, crankshaft seal. Im beginning to wonder that if indeed it is the catalytic converter, that it was caused by something else like a blown head gasket. The car seems to have more symptoms of it just being catalytic converter than it does for a blown head gasket though. But I am definitly no mechanic. The water pump in this car has been replaced twice in a matter of months as well as 3 alternators in a matter of months. I say my car is pretty picky. Wondering if I should just put it out of its misery and buy something else rather than keep putting all this money into it because Im already over what the car is worth. So frustrating.