1992 hesitation / shudder - EGR?

Problem is with a 92 Accord LX automatic. It began as an intermittent hesitation / shudder on light acceleration from about 1700-2300 rpm (when warmed-up). When it did this, I could give a little gas, it would down-shift out of that rpm range and run properly. Naturally I figured that this was the tell-tale symptoms of the infamous "clogged egr ports", but after a couple of weeks of driving it this way, it began (yesterday) bogging a little outside of the given rpm range (like when I gave it gas to down-shift). The check engine light is not on, so no codes sent. Today, it began cutting out / bogging randomly, idling rough, and the only thing that seemed to make any difference was if I floored it, after some rough and sluggish acceleration, it would eventually cut back in. Still, no check engine light.

Could this still be egr? I would think that would result in low-speed symptoms only, but then it does still begin at low rpm, it just doesn't always go away once it reaches higher rpm's. As far as the CE light goes, I read somewhere on the 'net (by a pro Honda tech) that egr port blockage will not trigger codes.

The only problems with other cars I've had, with similar symptoms to this, (just to give an idea what it feals like) was an intermittent injector (1 of 2) on a tbi Chevy 350, and an ignitor coil on an RX7.

Thoughts?

I thought I should mention that it still only begins when it's warmed up. Cold, it runs fine. Aslo, it has 123K miles.

C'mon, there has to be someone who's experieced this or a tech on here?

check to see if all your cylenders are firing correctly it sounds like it is missing on one, start by removing and replacing your wires one bye one the one that you pull that doesnt effect the idle is what your looking for. next check your compresion in that cylender you shouldnt have anything less than 90 psi in it and even 90 is low but thats what it needs to fire correctly. if you have compresson then check wires and plugs. good luck

When it does it, it feels like it's missing more than one cyclinder. Loss of fire in one or more cycl's is a definite possibility. More likely electrical in nature than compression, given the intermittent sudden change in behavior.

since i cant hear it run i am just trying to help you diagnos the problem and compression is where i always start just to rule out the worst first off it atleast will give you peace of mind if nothing else. The EGR is lifted by engine vacuum and the ECM grounds a solenoid to command EGR operation. The ECM will ground this solenoid when it sees the correct engine temperature, MAP sensor voltage, and throttle position sensor voltage. With the solenoid, the Constant Vacuum Control (CVC) valve supplies a constant vacuum for EGR operation -- it takes manifold vacuum and continually adjusts it to a constant 8 to 10 in. Hg. Without a constant vacuum signal, EGR operation would be erratic. In short just block off the vacuum to see if the problem goes away. When vacuum is removed from the EGR valve, the misfire or hesitation goes away. This is usually caused by plugged EGR ports in the intake manifold. To correct, remove the brass plugs in the intake manifold and clean out the carbon. Honda offers a kit with replacement plugs so removal or replacement of the intake manifold will not be required.

Now we're back to my original suspicion, and for the first couple of weeks it behaved like blocked egr ports (light load, 1700-2300 rpm). It was the last 2 days before I parked it that made me think otherwise, like an ignitor or coil on it's way out. I did pull the vac line from the egr valve, and while it hasn't acted up yet like before, there is still a very light hesitation; barely detectable. I didn't put many miles on it yet, today I'll drive across town to the dealer to get the kit (it couldn't hurt to clean it anyway), that should give it plenty of time to resurface. I'll let you know what happens.

my car is doing the exact same thing. I can bet is the egr valve ports, I changed my egr valve and cleaned it out a while back but with 180k on my accord I know my ports I clogged and I did get the egr code 13. u should check the egr valve and ports --you will need 6 plugs part #P/N 17199-PT3-AHM

I also changed my igniter b/c I had a spare and that did not help. It did take care of code 1 I was getting which is the oxygen content. Best bet is just spend time cleaning out the ports and let me know how that works out. I will do mines in a couple of days

Still haven't cleaned the ports, but I did replace the spark plugs, pcv valve and air filter, just because it needed them. The light hesitation is now gone, and I'm still driving with the egr unplugged. Drove to work and back (40 mi), no problems. Must be the egr ports.

I cleaned my egr ports and I did not have to take the fuel rail off. You have to take the fuel pressure regulator, iacv valve & fast idle thermo valve off to get to all the ports. The car is driving much better but after driving for 25 miles it did shutter/hesitate a little. If it continues to do this I will take my vaccum line off of the egr valve but will this kill my gas mileage. I know the egr valve is good b/c I replaced it and cleaned it and when I place my finger on the vaccum port and push the diaphram up it holds there and does not move. let me know

I've gone over 200 miles w/o the vacuum line on the egr, still no hesitation. But yes, mileage has suffered, 22mpg last fill up (usually average 25-26). Also a little sluggish from a stop. Just need a day when I can take a couple of hrs to clean it. Seems like it would be difficult to do with the fuel rack on?

My accord is doing the exact same thing. It will even shudder in park if i idle it up around the 1700 to 2200 rpm range. I am glad i found this thread because I havebeen told by too many people "it sounds like your mounts.... maybe it is your mounts... it has to be the mounts." What all do i need to do? I have never really messed with egr valves or anything like that but then again, i have never needed to. If anyone can give a little info on what ineed to clean out or replace, let me know.

by the way, i disconnected the vecuum on the egr, the car runs greatbut it tripped the cel. oh well, ill try to pick up a used egr at a junk yard cuz honda watn 200 bucks for it and my car has 197000 miles... not worth buying a new one unless it is a last resort.