1.4 Civic Max misfire problem

[anonymous-user]

My wife has an 02-reg 1.4 Civic Max and it's developed a slight misfire when accelerating, apparent only when using more than about 1/2 to 3/4 throttle or when under heavy load.

When driving normally it performs perfectly, only showing the symptom when accelerating harder. On a flat road eg. in 3rd at about 30mph you can use about 1/2 of the throttle travel and it accelerates smoothly and briskly, put your foot to the floor and it misfires and kangaroos a bit and won't accelerate very well. The misfire doesn't seem to clear as you get up the rev range if you're still on full throttle, release to half throttle and it clears.

Any ideas where I'm best to start checking? Should I just start with spark plugs and injector cleaner or something else?

Also, where can you get sensibly priced fault code readers that work with this particular Civic model?

thanks
James

[Drop Test b3nxj]

could be your fuel filter.
does it have a mass air flow meter? if so it wouldn't hurt to inspect the intake pipe after the meter.

ben

[anonymous-user]

No idea what sensors it has really - it's done 100k with no problems (mostly serviced at a Honda dealer) so I've never really had a good look at it beyond changing the air filter. I assume it would have a MAF sensor though.

Any idea where the fuel filter is located? Sounds like a good place to start along with new spark plugs.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 8th January 19:00