The rinse was a very low pressure "dusting" of the engine. The engine was completely cold, no water was directed towards any wiring and everything was dried off with a rag and a leaf blower.

I have washed many an engine and except for getting water in the plug holes of a Miata and cracking a distributor cap (you do remember those don't you?) on a 1972 AAR Cuda I have never had a problem.

The car is completely stock with only 4,000 miles.

I don't think the rinse had anything to do with it since I believe the problem was already existant and I just hadn't found it.

I had gotten the crappy gas mileage on the road which I have found is part of the issue. When I am on the road at 75ish I have to gradually increase the pedal pressure to maintain the speed which eats up the gas mileage. After a short while of this there is no reserve power at all. I just had been careful and hadn't driven the car hard or run it thru the gears because I was mostly doing business driving vs. fun driving.

The minute I decided to have some fun I found the problem.

I really don't think it is the ecu, although that might be better for me, I really think it is the fuel delivery system.

Anyone know if the fuel filter is covered under warranty? Probably not.

If I have run the gas tank low enough before someone at Honda wants me to bring it back in I will drain and refill the tank, just to be sure.

I am considering replacing the fuel filter myself, but since you have to remove part of the interior, depressurize the system and pull the fuel pump to get to the filter I don't want to do this just on a whim.

To depressurize the gas lines can I just pull the fuse for the fuel pump and run the car at an idle till it dies? That's what I do on the Miata.

If there is ever a new or different type of problem I will have it. I can never do ANYTHING the way everyone else does.

 

The SAME THING has started to happen to me now everytime I wash my car. When I check under the hood, there is always a good amount of water that has gotten underneath. After I finish washing my car, I always take it out for a spin. When I hit VTEC for the first time during the drive, the engine just shuts out at about 7,000 rpm. It's not a rough cut-out either, it's very soft. When I go back under 6k and then hit VTEC again, it's fine. It only does it when I hit VTEC for the first time after washing it. I didn't drive the car during any heavy rain storms so I can't really say it happens then. But I know for a fact that it only happens when I wash the car.

David B, please let me know what the dealer finds out. Thanks!

 

I will definitely let everyone know when I find the cause.

Mine does not appear to have anything at all to do with VTEC engagement.

It happens as low as 4,500 rpm and you can hear VTEC engaging even tho there is no subsequent power increase.

Yours happens when you wash the car? You say there is water under the hood, where? What is getting wet on yours that might coincide with mine?

A true "Blues Clues"! (maybe)

 

Another day and still no solution on my no rev condition. Honda seems to be stumped also. But then no one thinks anymore, the computer has to tell them.

They could check fuel pressure, but that is a manul check so can't do that until they exhaust all computerized options. In the interim the prob gets worse. At this rate, by the end of the week I wont be able to rev past 4000 in any gear under any load.

 

David b,
I had the same problem with my 1993 Toyota 4Runner. It drove me and the dealerships crazy. They wanted to blame it on all of the mods. Turns out, it just needed a good tune up. I had the fuel injectors cleaned, cap replaced, coil, plugs, wires, etc. and it was perfect.
I want you to know that I just joined this site to tell you this because it drove me crazy. I hope this helps. By the way, I have an exposed K&N air filter on the truck and the problem ocurred a second time after off-roading. I think I got water in it. I hope this doesn't happen to my "S".

 

Thanx for taking the trouble to join, I appreciate it.

Now help me figure out what tune up items might be needed on a new S2000 with only 4,000 miles on it.

Now that you mention it I haven't actually pulled a plug, just the coils, so I guess I am as lazy as the mechanics. I'll do that tomorrow.

I am stumped unless it is fuel delivery. I am kinda pinning all my hopes there because I don't have a clue otherwise.

I think a bad ecu would show up on the computerized tests.

 

Don't get too jazzed about the ECU readings. When I had the #4 problem, the data dump showed all good.

...or at least that's what the service manager told me

 

What's the #4 condition?

 

#4 cylinder failure. I was one of the first to have it. Lucky me.

Being one of the first, they replaced my entire engine so they could ship the old one off for research or something. You should see the boxes they come in. Woo

They just replace the short block now, mostly under warrantee

If you are wondering if you have it, I doubt it. There is a very distinct metal-on-metal tapping when rev'ed over 3000 RPM.

Best of luck

 

David b, good luck!
I'm sure there are many people out there who really appreciate you keeping us posted with the details of your saga.
I have 3,500 miles on my car and I just can't image what you must be going through.