Random Sputter at startup

[ExplodingCake]

I'm having a sputter at startup. It happens on random occassion and I'm starting to get irritated. When I start the car , I always let the fuel pump prime and start it up once the relay clicks. Once that's done I start the car up and sometimes it's sputtering mildly and catches itself after 3 seconds. Let the car warm up and it acts like it's normal. Drive the car around town, go home and rest if for a couple of hours. I start it again and the sputter is not there.

It first happened about 1 week ago, the second is today. I checked my spark plugs wires , spark plug , distributor internals , oil , coolant , main relay , ignition coil , oxygen sensor and they all look fine and dandy. All parts mentioned are approx 4 - 6 months old except for the distributor which is 1.5 year old and main relay being the original since mile zero.

Facts:
- Idle is set properly
- IACV is clean
- FITV is tight
- No vaccum leaks
- No exhaust smoke and no sweet smell
- No oil in coolant
- No coolant in oil

I'm suspecting:
- Fuel Pressure Regulator
- Ignition Switch
- Fuel Pump
- HG (my coolant in overflow bottle disappears)
- Ignition Timing
- Battery cables
- Weak ground


Any ideas?

Thanks.

[C91BLX7]

Coil?

[ExplodingCake]

Coil?

brand new

[evil_demon_01]

Losiracer had a similar problem, I'm sure he ended up fixing the problem.
Hold on I'll dig the thread up.

[evil_demon_01]

http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2302114

From page 8 onwards http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthre...=103423&page=8

Both threads came to the conclusion of a blown headgasket.
I would confirm it first before you jump in and change it though

[ExplodingCake]

So, I should give the car a leakdown test.
I can also feel the engine is weaker than it used to be and I keep filling the coolant overflow bottle every 2 weeks which is highy unusual.

Thanks for the information. I highly appreciate it.


Car gives me the irritation at the wrong time since day 1.

[evil_demon_01]

So, I should give the car a leakdown test.
I can also feel the engine is weaker than it used to be and I keep filling the coolant overflow bottle every 2 weeks which is highy unusual.

Thanks for the information. I highly appreciate it.


Car gives me the irritation at the wrong time since day 1.

Losing the coolant is a good indication to suspect the HG, Providing you don't have any leaks from anywhere else.
Do a leak down test and the Honda test he described - Which is basically using a coolant pressure tester (pressurises the cooling system) and leave it on over night. In the morning check to see if there is any coolant in the bores.

[ExplodingCake]

Losing the coolant is a good indication to suspect the HG, Providing you don't have any leaks from anywhere else.
Do a leak down test and the Honda test he described - Which is basically using a coolant pressure tester (pressurises the cooling system) and leave it on over night. In the morning check to see if there is any coolant in the bores.

It used to happend to me last year but it turned out to be the faulty coil wire. Now this happens again.

I got curious and got a quote from a shop which is owned by my friend and gave me $650 on everything (Honda parts) , new oil , new coolant , resurfacing and new head bolts. I might stick in the timing belt as well.

Hopefully after the test , it's not the headgasket.

[marquisdee1018]

Mine was doing the same thing. It sputtered for about the first 5-7 seconds after I started the car then stopped. It turned out to be my headgasket was leaking.

[wed3k]

i would say fuel system is bleeding down at night or coolant is leaking into the combustion chamber and will cause it too miss for a few seconds however there would be an indication of smoke upon star up.

[ExplodingCake]

i would say fuel system is bleeding down at night or coolant is leaking into the combustion chamber and will cause it too miss for a few seconds however there would be an indication of smoke upon star up.

The miss does it randomly. Sometimes it does , sometimes it doesn't , but mostly it doesn't. For this past 2 weeks , I have experienced it two times.

[ExplodingCake]

UPDATE:

- Coolant

- I have a found a small leak on the radiator lower area. It's a small metal hose for the power steering cooler or auto tranny cooler. Will still go for leakdown and compression test just to be sure.

[Flatline]

glad it's steering away from the HG.

[esskater892]

dam i have the same problem to. i was thinking vacuum leak i have the sir and just the lil autozone oil breathers..hooking up the vacuum stuff soon.

but does your car like also feel weird between 1500-2500 rpm's trying to keep a constant speen about 40 or 50. idk if my car smokes a lil when it starts but i do know at idle its fine and clear as can be...i also am under the smog test by a good bit they say. lol. so idk lol. im gonna keep looking at this thread

[ExplodingCake]

dam i have the same problem to. i was thinking vacuum leak i have the sir and just the lil autozone oil breathers..hooking up the vacuum stuff soon.

but does your car like also feel weird between 1500-2500 rpm's trying to keep a constant speen about 40 or 50. idk if my car smokes a lil when it starts but i do know at idle its fine and clear as can be...i also am under the smog test by a good bit they say. lol. so idk lol. im gonna keep looking at this thread

Used to have that sputter on low rpms and it turned out to be is my oxygen sensor is loose.

Right now I'm still figuring it out my current problem.

The car was on and off yesterday but the sputtering at startup was not there. Now I'm figuring it's something electrical.
The tests will be done on wednesday or thursday.