Sluggish VX at 40mph

[slogfilet]

I've noticed this twice... when accelerating in my VX at about 40-45 mph in 5th gear, I get no response to additional throttle. I can floor it, but go no faster... I let my foot off the gas and coast down a bit, then try again and it's fine. This is on flat road, adn I can normally accelerate in 5th as low as 30mph. Any ideas?

[EH3]

check the base mechanical timing

do a general tune up if you haven't recently

[jadziasman]

Downshift to 3rd gear and step on the gas. Woo hoo!

[GasSavers_mango]

Originally Posted by jadziasman

Downshift to 3rd gear and step on the gas. Woo hoo!

haha. yes!

Seriously though, I was getting some weird hesitation in my VX from, as my mechanic put it, a dirty throttle bottle. He cleaned it and no more random hesitations. Not sure if this fits your scenario exactly but figured I'd throw it out there.

[mkiVX]

had that problem before
clean tps sensor or replace it

[suspendedhatch]

Originally Posted by mango

I was getting some weird hesitation in my VX from, as my mechanic put it, a dirty throttle bottle.

Throttle BODY. That was pretty funny. Valid point though. Your Honda throttle body should be cleaned once a year. Most people NEVER clean it. Make sure you buy the gasket BEFOREHAND cuz they can be hard to find sometimes.

Whether that's your only problem though I can't say. I think it's more likely your air filter or if your exhaust pipe has a restriction, possibly a clogged cat. Don't throw parts at it though. Have it diagnosed.

[monroe74]

Originally Posted by suspendedhatch

Your Honda throttle body should be cleaned once a year. Most people NEVER clean it. Make sure you buy the gasket BEFOREHAND cuz they can be hard to find sometimes.

Can't it be cleaned without removing it? By spraying some carb cleaner inside? Once you removed it, isn't that how you'd be cleaning it, anyway?

Also, the shop manual (page 11-124) describes a procedure for checking it with a vacuum gauge. If it passes this test, does that indicate it doesn't need to be cleaned? And what if your car is running fine (e.g. no hesitation, and no signs of the throttle sticking). Is it a good idea to clean it anyway?

Sorry for all the questions! I just appreciate a chance to learn something new.

[GasSavers_mango]

Originally Posted by suspendedhatch

Throttle BODY. That was pretty funny. Valid point though. Your Honda throttle body should be cleaned once a year. Most people NEVER clean it. Make sure you buy the gasket BEFOREHAND cuz they can be hard to find sometimes.

Whether that's your only problem though I can't say. I think it's more likely your air filter or if your exhaust pipe has a restriction, possibly a clogged cat. Don't throw parts at it though. Have it diagnosed.

How embarrassing!

I did intend to write body but it seems that my fingers betrayed me somewhere along the way.

[R.I.D.E.]

A plugged cat would give you low vacuum readings at low throttle percentages with no load.

regards
gary

[civic lover]

I am not sure how you drive. If you drive with hypermiling in mind and never see above 3000 rpm it might not hurt to really whined the motor out a few times. These honda d series motors were made to scream. I drive very conservative, but sometimes pound on it. Cleans the motor out.