1998 Honda Accord Rough Idle

1998 HONDA ACCORD

SANKARAN904

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Hi ,
I have 98 Accord EX , AT with 120K+ miles on it. Issue is with rough idling at low speeds. Whenever i stop/slow down in traffic , it idles rough , and gets better( not fine ) at around 45+ speeds. RPM also seems to fluctuate - it rises up around 3000 and then settles down. I had to accelerate, release , again accelarate until it gets on to high speed . In general , it is not smooth as it used to be and noise is getting worse too . It never stopped or no issues with starting too.Check engine is on , but that seems to be a known recall for this model and so i did not care. I bought this one 3 months back and am not sure on the timing belt thing from the maintenance records from previous owner, but just wanted to know more details on this before i go to a Repair center.
Can you please help me with this?..

Tx a lot in advance.

Mar 15, 2006 at 1:52 AM

FISHERMAN

✓Experienced Mechanic
937 POSTS

if the check engine light its on.. something its wrong..
retrieve the codes stored on your computer.. probably a bad sensor its causing that..

Mar 15, 2006 at 3:24 AM

DERBYRACE

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Not to be to personnal, but you may need a valve job!

Mar 16, 2006 at 4:24 AM

BRUCE HUNT

✓Experienced Mechanic
3,754 POSTS

Find the codes and get back to us. Do not ignor the codes.

Mar 20, 2006 at 5:46 AM

SANKARAN904

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I took it to the repair center last weekend and he found that check engine was due to evap code from PCM . As no problem found, he said he cleared the light. But it turned on again now today.

Besides that, am not sure if rough idling would be the right way to put it as that might mislead, but as such engine runs rough, as though struggling to move itself. Just switching on the engine in parking gear gives some noise - something like a motor running.

Now i have a gut feel that timing belt wearing out/shedding teeth could be the potential cause - that is because i dont have any reference to timing belt from previous maint. history and assuming it is not changed , i hope this is high time it fails or show some related symptoms . Also in any case i could not take chances with this one and am going for it , so thought if replacing this could be a cure for my rough run issues.

Please advise me on this - any kind of diagnostics suggested b4 proceeding with timing belt or any inputs on symptoms from timing belt .

Mar 21, 2006 at 11:26 AM

BRUCE HUNT

✓Experienced Mechanic
3,754 POSTS

Well you don't want the timing belt to break as it can cause serious damage to the head, but the symptoms of the rough engine don't really point to the timing belt. The CEL concerns me. I would demand that the guy tell you the code. The light is back on and it is pointing to the problem.

Mar 25, 2006 at 3:28 PM

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Suggested Repair

Retrieve the exact stored trouble code and do not ignore the check engine light. Rough running does not point to the timing belt, though a broken belt can damage the head, so confirm timing-belt service separately and diagnose the code before replacing parts.

Conversation Summary

A 1998 Honda Accord EX with over 120,000 miles idles roughly at low speeds, runs less smoothly, makes more noise, and has a fluctuating RPM, while starting remains normal. The check engine light was cleared after an EVAP code with no problem found, then returned. Experts say the light indicates a real fault, so the exact code should be obtained. They also say the rough-running symptoms do not point to the timing belt, although a broken belt can cause serious head damage.

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1998 Honda Accord Rough Idle

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