Type S down on performance

[pearso81]

Hi Guys,

My DCR5S has been down on performance for couple of months. It is slightly difficult to get of the line with normal driving and obviously even harder to take of on a hill. It feels really dull between 1k-4k during normal driving, when VTEC kicks in it sounds like it's working but overall the car feels choked and doesn't really kick you back into the seat like it used to. The car is dead stock, it has brand new Mobil 1 oil and a new filter and I have checked the air filter and the box and filter are pretty clean but there are a few black oil stains on the filter itself.

What should I do to get the problem fixed? Can you get stock cars tuned ? I had the fuel injectors cleaned at the last service, is there anything else that can be done ?? Could there be a problem with the exhaust system ?

If anyone can recommend a service centre of mechanic and Brisbane that would be really appreciated.

Thanks AP

[quangsuke]

i dont know if this might help, try changing ur sparks and wires. see if that works.

[MWAKU]

get a new air filter, try a kn replacement, or just get a CAI, its probably more sluggish cause its getting hotter now, i feel the same, during the day car drives like a slug lol, but if its 24/7 i dunno about that, just try a new air filter

[sitta]

I do feel the same about my car when its summer. its hotter and my car does feel slower. probably because i turn on aircon as well :(

[r3ckless]

not on my tytpe s.. i have my air con on full blast, n i sitll get power out of it.

[bbds]

your getting use to your car, happens to me as well

[dougie_504]

Welcome to the addiction. Start modding it.

I used to drive a mint '86 corolla sedan with a 1.6L carby

Then I got my EH9 Civic VTi with the D16Y1 and when I figured out what VTEC was and redlined it I was like "WOW" and almost a little scared <lol>

Then I got over it...

Then I got a EF8 CRX SiR and redlined the B16A and again was like "WOW"

Now I'm considering spending $5000 on internals to make it faster...

[fabian0]

simple.. heat soak... turbo cars tend to suffer more than NA cars. CAI might help a little bit during summer. SRI during winter

[aaronng]

Hi Guys,

My DCR5S has been down on performance for couple of months. It is slightly difficult to get of the line with normal driving and obviously even harder to take of on a hill. It feels really dull between 1k-4k during normal driving, when VTEC kicks in it sounds like it's working but overall the car feels choked and doesn't really kick you back into the seat like it used to. The car is dead stock, it has brand new Mobil 1 oil and a new filter and I have checked the air filter and the box and filter are pretty clean but there are a few black oil stains on the filter itself.

What should I do to get the problem fixed? Can you get stock cars tuned ? I had the fuel injectors cleaned at the last service, is there anything else that can be done ?? Could there be a problem with the exhaust system ?

If anyone can recommend a service centre of mechanic and Brisbane that would be really appreciated.

Thanks AP
How many K's on your car now? If you are close to the 100k mark, then it is time to replace your spark plugs. What engine oil are you using? The DC5S takes 10w-30 as standard, so you can go 0w-30, 5w-30, 10w-30, 0w-40, 5w-40 or 10w-40. Make sure you are not using a cheap oil with poor lubricating properties as that creates more friction and power loss.

[pearso81]

65,000 kms on the clock but the car is 5 years old, so from what I have heard it could quite possibly be the plugs or leads. The car is running Mobil 1 oil and I only had it changed 2 weeks ago so it is pretty fresh. I am convinced that it is not the change in weather because I have experienced the difference with other cars and I have had this particular car over 3 summers now.

I have tried to notice small things that are different to try and narrow the problems down. The car lately I don't think is making full temperature, usually the needle is dead center between high and low it seems to be sitting at 80% of normal.

Also, the first time I turn it over in the morning and within the first 2 minutes of driving it drive like a dream when the auto choke is on. Also a change I have noticed is usually the choke sets the revs a 2k on start up but lately the revs have been 1600 or 1400.

Anyway thanks for your help everyone, I thought this extra info might help the diagnosis.

Cheers AP

[aaronng]

65,000 kms on the clock but the car is 5 years old, so from what I have heard it could quite possibly be the plugs or leads. The car is running Mobil 1 oil and I only had it changed 2 weeks ago so it is pretty fresh. I am convinced that it is not the change in weather because I have experienced the difference with other cars and I have had this particular car over 3 summers now.

I have tried to notice small things that are different to try and narrow the problems down. The car lately I don't think is making full temperature, usually the needle is dead center between high and low it seems to be sitting at 80% of normal.

Also, the first time I turn it over in the morning and within the first 2 minutes of driving it drive like a dream when the auto choke is on. Also a change I have noticed is usually the choke sets the revs a 2k on start up but lately the revs have been 1600 or 1400.

Anyway thanks for your help everyone, I thought this extra info might help the diagnosis.

Cheers AP
Not the leads because 5 years and 65k is not enough to wear the direct ignition out.

Which Mobil1 are you using? Hopefully not the 5w-50 as that is too thick.

[MRK20CRX]

what fuel are you using? Have you changed fuels, like going from bp ultimate to a united premium fuel, with a lower octane reading? My ef8 felt a bit sluggish when i once tried v power, it starts to ping, then went back to trustworthy bp ultimate and runs like a dream all year round with motul 8100 5w 30

[ninzee]

i had that with my civic not 2 long ago it would feel like it would also stall off take off but i invested in a injen CAI and now its even better than b4 only needs a tune hehe

[Zinyo]

your getting use to your car, happens to me as well

bingo

[lithium]

i'd start with general maintenance stuff first...new plugs, clean the throttle body/ICV, and perhaps running something like subaru upper engine cleaner through the engine, and/or put a bottle of injector cleaner into the tank next time you fill up.

see if you notice an improvement, and then go from there :)

[pearso81]

Thanks for your advice guys. I have tried everything and the problem still remains.

I have a new air filter, throttle body cleaned, injectors cleaned, fuel tank flushed, new fuel filter, new oil and filter.

The car has had a data logger in it twice now with no solution as yet from the mechanic:(:(

Has anyone else suffered this problem before. ???

[pearso81]

New Plugs as well

[ninzee]

wow that sucks hv u asked mechanics bout their thoughts of what it could be also y not try a compression test might shed some light

[fromdeeeast]

How many k's on the car?

My guess is if your running the stock clutch it sounds like its slipping.

And that would make sense with the problems you have, makes the car feel slower and that.

Might be the problem

[CB7_OWNER]

Have u tried honda dealership to check, or a honda specialist in the area?

vacuum leak or blocked CAT converter comes to mind

[dougie_504]

Yeah take it to Honda :(

[fromdeeeast]

Have u tried honda dealership to check, or a honda specialist in the area?

vacuum leak or blocked CAT converter comes to mind

YES!!!

Check this! Go under your car and grab a broom or soemthing and hit the cat if it rattles then cats gone, or take it to exhaust shop and they will tell you

[pearso81]

The guys I have taken the car to are Honda Specialist's and have been more than helpful, just seems to be one of the hard jobs because the performance comes and goes.

Thanks for the tip on the CAT, the last time I took it to the shop they thought the same thing and pulled the CAT completely out and checked it over. The guys blew compressed air through the exhaust from the CAT back and it seemed to flow pretty well.

Where would the Vaccum leaks be ?????? Is that different to the CAT system ?

[[RSX 03]]

try changing your thermostat.
your water temp guage is indicating that its low right?
does it ever go up and down?

[pearso81]

I haven't noticed the temp gauge go up and down, but I still think it is running cooler than when I first bought the car.

The air conditioning goes from average when the car feels down on power/responsiveness to really cold when the car is running well regardless of where the temperature is set ..... not sure whether that has anything to do with the thermostat ??

[Gio]

I cannot believe some of these theories.



get a new air filter, try a kn replacement, or just get a CAI, its probably more sluggish cause its getting hotter now, i feel the same, during the day car drives like a slug lol, but if its 24/7 i dunno about that, just try a new air filter

Its 2.0l im sure this car and any car can drive fine during the day and have good performance.



simple.. heat soak... turbo cars tend to suffer more than NA cars. CAI might help a little bit during summer. SRI during winter

What the hell, no no no. its not heat soak. Just because its hot it doesnt mean his car will fail.

Im keen to see what it is but its not the heat.

[6000rpm]

Try resetting the ECU and see how that goes

and check your tyre pressures too.

[pearso81]

Sounds like something a mechanic should be doing ???

Just an update for anyone keeping tabs from the beginning of this thread.

The issue I had with take off being sluggish was rectified when the service guys changed the fuel filter.............. but the inconsistent performance remains..... unfortunately.:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:( :(:(:(:(

The Car has only done 70k ........... thats what the frustrating things is .................. I just wish something was broken so I could fix it !!!!

[burak213]

clutch slipping?
cat converter?
accelerator cable being damaged
injectors
leak somewhere?

just off the top of my head

why dont you tell us where u live and maybe go for a ride in a members type S to see if its the same or not? maybe you expecting something different?

[CB7_OWNER]

Vacuum leaks can be in any one of the hoses that goes anywhere into your intake mani.

[pearso81]

If anyone is in the Rochedale/Springwood area in Brisbane I would be really interested in taking a ride in another Types S.

Even still, I am so keen to get this problem sorted I will pretty much drive anywhere in South East Queensland if anyone is offering ????

[Nepolian]

Go over the basic maintenance stuff you can do yourself. Bite the bullet and take it to a workshop who has a dyno. Get it on and see what output it is putting out and the a/f ratio and readings should/will indicate a problem.....eg. blocked exhaust etc.....

Remember that a few dyno runs or power runs may cost as litle as $50 in some places and yo may find that they have a little experience than Honda with the logger (scanner) cough!! People forget that a chassis/hub dyno is a tuning tool and not just a power reader.

I personally believe you may have a blocked exhaust!

Anyway, good luck!

[pearso81]

I am currently the happiest man alive !!!! My mechanic finally was able to narrow down the problem to a faulty Fuel return line valve in the fuel tank.

Seriously I can't thank Brad @ Hondacare in Brisbane enough.

If any of you live in Brisbane and need your Honda serviced ... take it to Hondacare they have the best service and best mechanics around.

Thanks for all of your help with this.............. thought you might like to know the fix !!

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[CB7_OWNER]

Glad its fixed.

What can go faulty with the part you mentioned above?? does the valve just remain half open or closed or something? (not sure what the parts job is)

[dougie_504]

Really glad to see it's fixed man. You've had too much trouble for just one person's karma so it's awesome to see that you've solved the puzzle and are a happy man again.


:)

[pearso81]

Well ...... don't count your chickens before the hatch !!!! I have had the car back for a month now only one problem has been permanently fixed. When the car is low on fuel it doesn't cut out anymore but the performance is inconsistent ! In the last two days I have driven the car numerous times, but two of those time it has driven brilliantly ..... the accelerator pedal felt light and effortless, when I gave it a boot full in first it hit the limiter before I could change gear ..... generally 90 % I could make a cup of tea before it went anywhere near the redline. When the going is good the engine sounds completely different, it has an aggressive metallic sound and even better when VTEC kicks in.

Last time the mechanic said that the O2 sensor was cycling slowly, any of you guys know anything about 02 sensors ?????? They said that the warning light should come on if there is a problem and I don't have that ............ but the car feels like I am driving it with the handbrake slightly on or the car fully loaded with people etc.

Anyway could anyone recommend a tunning shop or something that might have more experience and more diagnostic equipment ???

[deanos]

I was about to say congratulations in getting the problem fixed until a couple of comments ago pearso81....
Like Nelopian said, it might be worth going to someone with a dyno setup, as they hook up readings for not just power, but fuel & air ratios and then you can see what the fuel is going when running through the different rev ranges you are mentioning. You will have figures to back your theory then as well for a workshop to help you resolve the issue. (about $45 for a dyno?)
I am unfortunately in the Sydney area, so i cannot recommend any workshops, but my vote MAY be the fuel pump as an issue. I had similiar symtoms in one of my old cars (5 years old too) that you are describing.

All the best mate.

[pearso81]

Will give it a go ...... anyone know of a good dyno shop in Brisbane ????? I am a bit of a noob unfortunately :(