Honda Car Forum

Hi,

I have a 1999 Honda Accord 6cyl sedan with 106K miles on it. Next week I am going to get the 105K mile servicing done and replace the timing belt etc. Over the last three months I am only using the car once or twice a week. I need to replace the original battery that faithfully served the car for the last 10 years and recently needed a jump start.

The last couple of days when I start the car the engine goes up and down as if some one is pressing the accelerator and letting it go. And its not stopping even after a minute. And when I drive the engine seems jumpy and I had to apply breaks firmly at signal stops and as soon as I let go off the breaks the car races ahead. When I reduce the acceleration once it reaches 60mph or so then i can feel that the deceleration is not smooth and is some what choppy. Can any one tell me what is going on?

As part of the 105K servicing a local mechanic suggested I replace the entire Timing Belt Kit including the pulleys etc and not just the belt. For the parts I was quoted $40 for just the timing belt and $200 for the entire kit. This does not include the Water Pump for which i was quoted an additional $140. Do I need to get the entire kit replaced or just the belt would do fine along with water pump?

To get a second opinion I asked for a quote for the 105K servicing from another mechanic and he mentioned about replacing the timing belt and water pump but nothing about the pulleys or the entire kit. On the other hand this guy told me to replace the Ignition wire, distributor cap, p.c. value and some rotor cap along with replacing the 6 spark plugs. He said they should be replaced all at once. The first mechanic only mentioned about replacing the spark plugs and nothing about the ignition wires etc.

With that background here are some questions I have.

1) Why was the engine going up and down? What do I need to do? I did not mention this to the mechanics yet.
2) Should I replace the entire timing belt kit instead of just the belt?
3) Should I replace the ignition wires as well along with the spark plugs?

Appreciate your feedback.

Thanks
Ik.

Most likely the idle issue is a faulty Idle Air Control valve (IAC). Not at all uncommon on your type Honda. When I replace the timing belt on a Honda, I always replace the water pump at the same time. As far as the other pulleys, your engine has two idler/tensioners, and I can't tell you the last time I have seen one fail. Honda calls for the spark plugs to be replaced on your car at 105K, but the plug wires tend to hold up much longer. Most of the time I see an issue with plug wires is because someone has replaced the factory wires with a lower quality aftermarket. If you do replace the ingition wires, do yourself a favor and used Honda wires.

Thanks for the information. I guess I should ask the mechanic to look at the Intake air control valve as well.