Accord Euro 2006 - Need assistance with potential issues

[darknoodles]

Thanks very much Fredoops, i will try to reply on each point...

Point 1: rpm drop/hike on cruise is normal If you let off gas ten press cruise, I think the manual says you set cruise THEN foot off pedal. Ps: iirc the cruise don't work below 60kph on the euro.

Sorry I'm not sure what you mean by "set cruise". Can you please clarify ? If you mean cruise control, then that's definitely not the case. So to give a simple example: from stationary, i hit the gas uniformly untill car is say mid gear 2 (say 30kmph), and then i just lift my foot off the gas (but not putting it on break). As soon as my foot leaves the gas, the rpm arrow drops below 1000rpm, and immediately bounces back to above 1000rpm (and then stays there).

When you do this on most cars, doesn't the rpm just fall to above 1000rpm and stay there ? i.e. there is never that dramatic bounce below 1000 and then back up.

Never happens on higher speed / gears, only on slow speed / low gears.

Point 2: about the shake from letting go of the gas pedal, first check the pulleys and belt, then check airbox/filter, but it might also be from valves.... Do your car sound like diesel some times? If so get valve clearance checked/adjusted. Might also come down to dirty Engine/injectors/throttle body... Run BP ultimate for a while and see if that go away... Or have FI system completely cleaned.

Thanks those are useful starters. Yes, i would say the "drumming noise" is somewhat diesel-sounding (although not as loud, but clearly distinguishable from normal). That's alot of suggestions though, can you list them in descending order of likelihood (i.e. first one being the most likely and last one being least probable) ? What will a mechanic charge for them ? Sorry i'm very new to all this.

I've fueled up with 98 Octane twice during the 3 weeks i've owned the car. Although i suspect the previous owner may have used E10. Does prolonged use of E10 harm the Euro ? And if so is it reversible ? Would it help explain any of the symptoms i'm experiencing ?

Point 3: It's engine braking, normal

Really ? So there is no ways to ease that sensation ? I live in neighborhood with lots of hills and this is very annoying. Never happens in previous cars i've driven (incluidng a Honda CRV)

So to give a simple example again. Road is normal (flat), everything is normal. Then road goes downhill, and the REV arrow slowly goes up up and up, all this time the engine feels like its stalling, steering wheel is very hard to turn, and the car just feels "heavier" (not sure how else to word it). REV just climbs higher and higher but never shifts into next gear. Its like the car is really struggling or stuck on something, hence i used the term "stuck" on a gear. Vibration and shakes are felt.

For the same going downhill scenario, if i put the car in N, then everything is just fine as i go down the hill - no heavy sensations and no vibrations / shake.

Point 4: see point 2 check the pulley/belt that drives the ps pump etc. I've got same issue, it probably the pulley belt etc on it's way out

Is this a replaceable part and if so how much does it generally cost for a mechanic to replace it ?

Point 5: check tyre pressure/wear. Then probably a wheel alignment.

Okay thanks.