"Rale" <rale@rale.com> wrote in message
news:36IUe.27978$mb4.267@tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> Over the past few days, I have noticed that the engine on my '99 Honda
> Civic is much louder then before, particularly when accelerating and the
> car feels slower/sloppier, so I need to push gas pedal more to get the
> same acceleration.
>
> Any ideas on what to could be causing this or what to check.
>
> Thanks,
> Rale
>
>
Mainly to cover the bases... how many miles/years since the last timing belt
change? Jumped timing normally makes the engine hard to start, but it isn't
always apparent. It also causes the acceleration to be noticably poorer and
makes an odd hollow sound from the exhaust. My concern is that if the belt
has jumped, you are on the ragged edge of timing belt failure with a great
likelihood of severe engine damage. If the timing belt change interval has
been more than the mileage or time specified in the owner's manual, it needs
to be done now!

Mike