1998 Accord - Engine Shuttering

On my 1998 Honda Accord 4-Cyl, my engine starts to shake/stutter when I'm
in 4th gear (automatic) usually between 1600-1900 RPM's. If I force the engine
to downshift, it goes away. I also started to smell a little gas vapor coming
from my vent right around the same time this started happening. It's faint
and I can only smell it when the car is not moving. I don't smell it with
the A/C on.

So far, I've replaced the spark plugs and wires and distributor cap and rotor.
I've also gotten the timing belt package replaced. Again, this started before
I did any of this stuff. I looked into replacing the fuel filter but the
1998 Accord has it built into the fuel pump so I don't think that's it.

Other than this annoying things, the car runs smooth. I have no idea what's
wrong. Can anyone suggest something? Thanks!

Erick

 

I can't explain the gas smell but I can suggest that you check the vacuum
advance. This is an "Old Tech" problem but that is what I found wrong with
my carborated '85 CRX CVCC. ]

Just to look and all those hundreds of vacuum hoses and different components
is intimidating, however, from years of old, low tech, cars I started with
the obvious and after finding one broken vacuum hose and then both diaphrams
in the vacuum advance leaking, the engine hesitation went away.

 

Hi Erick

I have to agree with Steve, 99% of the times if the engine
"shake/stutter", it is cause by a leaking vacum hose. Many times you
hear people saying that they changed a gas regulator or changed the gas
pump, etc.. However, while they change these parts, many mechanics
will also change the hoses and 99% of the time it was the hose that was
at fault.

Unfortuantely, it's easy and quick fix, the problem is finding the
leaking hose.
:-(

Good luck.
Frank

 

I have no idea where the vacuum advance is in the engine. Where is it usually
located?

 

Motor mounts or transmission problem. If it only does it in 4th it
can't be an engine problem.

And you have a gas leak from the fuel supply or evap recovery system.

 

Possibly a CV Axel joint sticking as well. I had a vibration at certain
speeds that troubled me for a long time. Turned out to be a bad cv
outer joint on the passenger side.

 

It is on the Distributor (where all the spark plug wires go). It is attached
to the side and is usually a round can shape with one or two vacuum hoses
going to it.

Steve

 

I jumped the service connector today and am getting the following error codes:

71
73
74

What does this mean?

 

Just wanted to update everyone on this. Problem turned out to be transmission
fluid. About 30000 miles ago, I went to one of those Jiffy lube type places
and had my transmission fluid flushed. Turns out they used regular ATF instead
of some special stuff Honda uses in their cars. I took my car to the dealer
to have them replace the fluid. The shuttering went away afterwards. The
shuttering was actually the torque converter. All is well now.

Erick

 

I learned my lesson about 10 years ago after a stripped oil plug and a
loose transmission filter was inflicted on my old F-150 by the local
Gypsy Lube.