jim beam <nospam@example.net> wrote in message news:<bMSdna_Xf9rslZLcRVn-jQ@comcast.com>...
> elimnate the simple stuff - is the coolant level ok? and i mean
> checking inside the rad, not looking at the level of the expansion
> bottle. if the level is not high enough, the engine can get a false
> "cool" signal on the head temp sensor. the ecu then injects too much
> gas, and when the engine is hot, it will randomly misfire. i had a
> civic with this problem and did pretty much all that you did before i
> figured it out. _never_ trust the level in the expansion bottle. if
> there's the smallest air leak in the coolant system, when the engine
> cools, it sucks air back through the leak rather than refills from the
> expansion bottle, so the coolant can be significantly low without it
> being obvious.
>
> airboatman wrote:
> > I have a honda accord lx 4cyl vtec that has 70k miles. It is missing
> > pretty bad. The check engine light is on and flashing sometimes. The
> > codes set are 71 (random misfire) and sometimes 72,73,74. I suspected
> > ignition so changed in sequence the coil, rotor, distributor cap, plug
> > wires, plugs, ICM and then the distributor assembly (with cam position
> > sensor) none of the changes made any difference. I have also checked
> > valve adjustment, compression and pinched the return fuel line and
> > listened for changes. I have listened to the injectors with
> > stethescope and they are consistent. I pulled the fuel pump from the
> > tank and checked for screen clogged etc. None of the above has led
> > anywhere. I don't know what to try next. Help!

I just checked the radiator fluid and it is to the top. I wonder if
the sensor you talk about could be bad causing the same thing. I will
see if I can get to it through the computer.

thanks