1998 Honda Accord Lean Codes P0170 P0171

HONDA ACCORD
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MOUFID
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  • 2 POSTS
98 Accord LX manual, I was driving during a rainy day, I felt like the water got in the engine or something...the car started suddenly slowing down like if the engine was dying...for 5 to 10 seconds then it will work again...back and forth for about 5 minutes before it resumed working fine. Now everytime I start it...the same thing happens for 5 minutes or so...before it will go back to normal.
The engine Check light indicator just turned on this morning. Please let me know what do I need to do to get this fixed.

Thank you
Jul 26, 2006 at 6:04 AM
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PEPPERMRJ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,158 POSTS
Have the codes read. You can buy your own code reader.
Some large chain auto parts stores will provide this service free of charge. They will also clear the code with the tool.

It might be something other than an EVAP code that just set around the time you were fueling. See if it returns.

Post back with the codes. :)
May 6, 2006 at 12:13 PM
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BRUCE HUNT
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How long ago was the rain? The check engine light should be polled to get the codes. Are you saying that when you now start the engine and it is cold that the engine surges for awhile until the engine is warm?
Jul 28, 2006 at 8:06 AM
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MOUFID
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Thes are the code: P0170 and P0171
1 of my friend looked at it and said it is the fuel pump and has nothing to do with the water...but I am not sure if he is right.
Jul 28, 2006 at 8:43 AM
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MIKEYBDMAN
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  • 623 POSTS
[quote:e8e4e1a7f9="Moufid"]Thes are the code: P0170 and P0171
1 of my friend looked at it and said it is the fuel pump and has nothing to do with the water...but I am not sure if he is right.[/quote:e8e4e1a7f9]

DTC P0171: Fuel System Too Lean

NOTE: If some of the DTCs listed below are stored at the same time as DTC P0171 and/or P0172, troubleshoot those DTCs first, then recheck for P0171 and/or P0172.

Check the fuel pressure. Is fuel pressure OK? YES-Go to step 2. NO-Check these items: If the pressure is too high. Check the fuel pressure regulator, and the fuel return pipe. If the pressure is too low. Check the fuel pump, the fuel feed pipe, the fuel filter, and the fuel pressure regulator.
Start the engine. Hold the engine at 3,000 rpm with no load (in Park or neutral) until the radiator fan comes on.
Check the Primary HO2S (Sensor 1) output with the scan tool. Does it stay at less than 0.3 V or more than 0.6 V ? YES-Replace the Primary HO2S (Sensor 1). NO-Go to step 4.
With a vacuum pump, apply vacuum to the EVAP purge control solenoid valve from the intake manifold side. Does it hold vacuum? YES-Check the valve clearances and adjust if necessary. If the valve clearances are OK, replace the fuel injectors. NO-Replace the EVAP purge control solenoid valve.
Jul 28, 2006 at 9:41 AM

Suggested Repair

For P0170 and P0171 (fuel system too lean), check fuel pressure first. If pressure is low, inspect the fuel pump, fuel filter, feed line, and pressure regulator; if high, check the regulator and return line. If pressure is normal, test the primary oxygen sensor and EVAP purge solenoid, then check valve clearance and fuel injectors as needed.

Conversation Summary

A 1998 Honda Accord briefly lost power in the rain and now surges for several minutes after each start, with the check engine light on. Codes P0170 and P0171 were retrieved. A friend suspected the fuel pump, but the expert outlined the lean-code diagnostic: verify fuel pressure, then check the pump, filter, regulator, primary oxygen sensor, EVAP purge solenoid, valve clearance, and injectors as indicated.

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