RE: Fuel Pump or cat. converter???

[1989_cash_eater]

I still have the spitting and sputtering problem in my ('89 civic DX hatchback 1.5L, 5 speed) and I was wondering if it were the fuel pump or cat. converter. It idles really weird. When I accelerate, it's almost as if my car had VTEC, because it's really mopey until I hit about 4200 RPM, then you can feel it kick in, and it was hard to start. I've replaced the plugs, plug wires, O2 sensor, fuel filter, air filter, and checked things like oil and transmission oil. Does anyone know what it could be?

[1989_cash_eater]

...oh yeah, it's a real bitch on gas too!

[89stdzc]

when you get around 1/4th tank of gas when you go around a corner does it sputter then? you can replace the strainer without doing the fuel pump (suggested) cause the fuel pump cost like 100+ and the strainer is 15 bucks. my engine started doing that and i just replaced it cause i was tired of putting money into it.

[JimCRX]

sounds like yer getting too much gas. Before I go further how many miles are on the car and give the engine specs

[1989_cash_eater]

The car has 229,000 KM (144,000 Miles) on it. It's the 1.5L SOHC 16V engine with a 5 speed manual. The fuel strainer? Is that the sock filter that goes over the fuel pump? And if I were getting too much fuel, how could I solve this? Maybe more air via custom 3" cold air intake?

Thanks guys for the responses.

[lilol89crx]

check cam timing.......sounds like its retarded a bit.

[JimCRX]

Yeah, check the timing if you can first. If it's good, run some fuel cleaner. BTW, is your cat. converter hollowed out or aftermarket? That could be the problems if it is. If not then, has you headgasket even blown before or have you ever burn antifreeze up? Cause sometimes anti-freeze clogs the cat. converter, like mine so I had to hollow it out.