Intermittant problem + gas consumption

Hi all!

I've been having a intermitant problem with my Integra LS 97. After driving
for a while, usually 5-6 minutes, the car will suddenly lose all power and
the revs will slowly decrease, but if I press hard enough on the throttle
it will kick back in. If I don't do a thing (just keep my foot on the
throttle in the same position), it stays that way for 2-3 seconds, then it
will kick back in for 4-6 seconds and it will again lose all power. It
kicks in and out like this a few times then it's fine. If I shift to
neutral, I can rev the car no problem. Also, if I have to stop at a light
when it happens, the idle will be erratic, going between 500 and 600 rpm
then back up to 1000 rpm and back down again.

Gas consumption as also become problem since this as started. I'm using up
to 33% more gas, and the problem gets worse if I put in 89 octane, so I
fuel up on 91 octane. This is starting to get expensive. The car is also
quite sluggish since this has been happenning, it's not the way it used to
be.

When it first started to do this, I thought the plugs were guilty, since I
got a 73 and 74 code (cylinder 3 and 4 misfire), and upon inspection, I
noticed the plugs were pretty worn out. However, changing the plugs and
sanding down the distributor cap, only the error code disappeared, the
problem persists, which leads me to believe this is unrelated. I've asked
around and all my mechanic buddies are stumped by this. Some of them even
drove the car and witnessed the problem first hand and they don't know what
the hell is going on.

Also, recently, I got a code again, this time 45. This one is trickier,
it's "running too lean/rich". So I guess it's more of a too rich thing
seeing how it's drinking gas like a GM V6. I have a new fuel filter i'm
going to put in (Helm's manual says to check Fuel Supply System), but since
the code can also be caused by a defective primary O2 or MAP sensor, i'm
looking for insight.

Thanks a bunch!

 

Start doing the tests in the repair manual. The O2, MAP, and ignition
wire tests should be fairly easy.