1989 Accord: Problem On Hills

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petewalk@gmail.com - 22 Jul 2007 20:15 GMT

I have a 1989 Accord, AT. I've noticed that the car has had very
sluggish shifting of gears and now it experiences very "jerky"
performance on hills. It feels as if the engine just loses power on
hills and then sluggishly jerks forward. It's almost impossible to go
up steep grades. Any thoughts on a cause?

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Dan C - 22 Jul 2007 20:32 GMT

> I have a 1989 Accord, AT. I've noticed that the car has had very
> sluggish shifting of gears and now it experiences very "jerky"
> performance on hills. It feels as if the engine just loses power on
> hills and then sluggishly jerks forward. It's almost impossible to go
> up steep grades. Any thoughts on a cause?

Do you think it could be because it's freakin' 18 years old...?

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Elle - 22 Jul 2007 21:14 GMT

A plugged catalytic converter has often been reported to be
the cause of these symptoms.

Other, less expensive possibilities: Needs either new air
filter, fuel filter, OEM plugs-wires-distributor cap, and
check the timing. I would not rule out the need for a new
oxygen sensor just yet, either.

How many miles on this car? When was the last time a tuneup
was done? Were OEM parts used?

>I have a 1989 Accord, AT. I've noticed that the car has had
>very
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> impossible to go
> up steep grades. Any thoughts on a cause?

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JP - 23 Jul 2007 04:13 GMT

This is classic clogged fuel filter symptom. Not enough fuel gets to the
engine under the load of climbing the hill. Replace both fuel filters. One
back by the tank, the other in the engine compartment.

JP

>I have a 1989 Accord, AT. I've noticed that the car has had very
> sluggish shifting of gears and now it experiences very "jerky"
> performance on hills. It feels as if the engine just loses power on
> hills and then sluggishly jerks forward. It's almost impossible to go
> up steep grades. Any thoughts on a cause?

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Matt Ion - 24 Jul 2007 08:40 GMT

> This is classic clogged fuel filter symptom. Not enough fuel gets to the
> engine under the load of climbing the hill. Replace both fuel filters. One
> back by the tank, the other in the engine compartment.

If it's a carbed version, at least, the rear filter is IN the tank, as
part of the pump assembly...

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