Check Engine Light, Fuel Efficiency & Good Mechanics

Hi guys,

First time poster here at ozHonda! looking to get some advice from the community :)

I have a somewhat long story to tell (so please bare with me)

Bought a :honda: Integra '02 Special Edition back in April 2013 with 81,000 k's on the clock. Upon driving it the first time I managed to get around 650km on a tank. Which was pretty impressive considering the handbook suggested a Max Range of 700km.

Is wasn't very long until 650 turned into 600; and it levelled out there for a long time. Until one faithful day when my fuel pump decided to die.

I took it to my faithful local mechanic because I can trust him to do the work and not rip me off. After I got the car back I noticed that my fuel gauge was behaving differently, it seemed that the low fuel indicator light would no longer come on, and the needle would always hover above empty, even thought it actually was.

I managed to miss my 100K service, and my fuel efficiency started to decline, now I was getting around 500-550km on a tank.

So I took it back to get it fixed; along with its overdue 100K service at around 110K. The engine appeared to be performing and sounding allot better. However I now find that a whole new set of problems have arisen:

Randomly while I'm driving my "check engine" light appears, with no audible clues as to what it might be. I am able to make the light disappear simply by restarting the motor, but that just makes the situation more perplexing.

Furthermore my fuel efficiency has NOT increased despite the service, new oil, injector cleaner etc. etc.

It seems that my local mechanic that was good for my old '94 civic, seems to be causing more problems with the Integra..

What are your thoughts on this issue? Is it worth taking to Honda? But I hear Honda, AutoTune and even MotorServ are all up-sell rip offs :confused:

should be as simple as a electronic diagnostics check :) ill place a bet on o2 sensor. does the car have a new clutch?

Fuel filter - Very common people dont change these as they last very long time. Usually the last to blame. - Can do @ home, but not for 1st timer.

o2 Sensor - Check if its plugged in properly. Again another pretty rare part to go wrong. But the cars are getting old now. - Easily can be done at home, only spanner+jack required.

Ebay for ELM327 (Bluetooth Scanning tool OBDII) , cheap. There are penalty of free apps on the market now. I use Torque Pro. You can plug that into your ECU direct. Connector is on the left of the clutch pedal hidden on the edge of plastic trim.

It will allow you scan for codes. Which will tell you whats bothering her. Cost maybe $25, hell lot cheaper then a $80 per scan @ a work shop and benefit of unlimited scans on multiple range of cars.

amant, would that work the same for auto cars? I have the exact issue with my dc5. My fuel is hopeless on my car and I drive like a grandma 80% of the time. It's like 13L/100km. Would the app tell me whats the problem with fuel at all?

Well the paid version will. It will graph out Fuel trim and etc etc. Remember this is a scanner. When you engine light comes on, you ecu has detected something is wrong aka error code. This will give you the Code and some information, example front o2 sensor or rear.

It will work on your DC5.

Do you have a check engine light? Could a few factors put together some times. Condition of spark plugs may also play a role. When was the last time you replaced yours? Even just taking them out for an inspection can tell you a fair abit about the motor.

OP time to find another honda specialist. Where are you located?

Anyway , things to check due to poor fuel economy are also

Air filter ( blocked ?)
Cat converter ( blocked)
Bad primary or secondary o2 sensors

The above would directly alter fuel economy , but even a clip on the harness might be loose relevant to the above.





Finally , a dc5 around town shouldn't be getting very good economy anyway. Maybe 9 or 10l/100kms but not as bad as you say. How did you work out your 13l/100kms ?

Finally , a dc5 around town shouldn't be getting very good economy anyway. Maybe 9 or 10l/100kms but not as bad as you say. How did you work out your 13l/100kms ?[/QUOTE]

over time I just noticed how much km's i was getting with the amount of litres I was filling. I roughly get between 11-13l/100km every time i fill. Next service I'm going to change my o2 sensors and spark plugs and see if that changes anything

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Originally Posted by Torell

should be as simple as a electronic diagnostics check :) ill place a bet on o2 sensor. does the car have a new clutch?

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Yeah I thought it might be o2.. My clutch hasn't been changed to my knowledge.. But wow could the clutch cause such issues?

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Ebay for ELM327 (Bluetooth Scanning tool OBDII) , cheap. There are penalty of free apps on the market now. I use Torque Pro. You can plug that into your ECU direct. Connector is on the left of the clutch pedal hidden on the edge of plastic trim.

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Will definitely look at getting OBDII for Android very soon :)

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Condition of spark plugs may also play a role. When was the last time you replaced yours? Even just taking them out for an inspection can tell you a fair abit about the motor.

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Spark plugs got changed during the 100K service.. shouldn't be those.

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OP time to find another honda specialist. Where are you located?

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Yeah sound advice, I currently in Rouse Hill / Castle Hill / Kellyville area. Anyone know of any good specialists in the area?

clutch wouldnt cause the issue, but its common for people to break o2 sensor when doing clutch.

whotever mentioned the bad economy of 11-13 ltrs around town LOL yeh get that checked out hehe. my best mate gets 7's and 8's around town, now he drives pretty granny footed, but even my s2k gets 10.5-11 around town. k series should b good economy :D

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Originally Posted by bennjamin

Bad primary or secondary o2 sensors

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Yeah... Not going to lie.. The secondary doesn't alter fuel economy at ALL.

The primary senses the air/fuel ratio and sends that to the ecu, altering all the things it needs to.
The secondary, sends emissions information to the ecu, more or less..only setting off a code when it's busted. It doesn't affect performance or air/fuel in any way.
Bennjamin is correct in saying the cat could be blocked..This will occur if it's had a busted O2 sensor for a long time; carbon build up.

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Originally Posted by amant02

o2 Sensor - Check if its plugged in properly. Again another pretty rare part to go wrong. But the cars are getting old now. - Easily can be done at home, only spanner+jack required.

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Not easily done with normal spanner. Requires a special socket to make it 'Easy'. 1st hand experience..that sensor doesn't come off with just a normal ring spanner or wrench as it's an awkward size for the wrench, and the ring doesn't fit over the socket at the other end. It's also easier if you use WD-40**.

There is a quite simple and easy way to read the code without wasting $40 for a half decent reader. It called getting jumper wire and plugging it into ports 4 & 9 on the OBDII connector. If you would like me to explain that in more detail with pictures, PM me.

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Originally Posted by Mothius

Not easily done with normal spanner. Requires a special socket to make it 'Easy'. 1st hand experience..that sensor doesn't come off with just a normal ring spanner or wrench as it's an awkward size for the wrench, and the ring doesn't fit over the socket at the other end. It's also easier if you use WD-40**.

There is a quite simple and easy way to read the code without wasting $40 for a half decent reader. It called getting jumper wire and plugging it into ports 4 & 9 on the OBDII connector. If you would like me to explain that in more detail with pictures, PM me.

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Yes you can go buy a special tool. I've been using spanners for 02 sensors a while now, never have failed removing one or have damaged one. If its a real bitch. Blow torch it.

I also would not recommend using pins to jump the OBDII port. If he accidentally connects the wrong ports, GG. (they are quiet small holes)

$40 dolans small price to pay to protect his ECU. inb4burntkpro