1996 Honda Civic EX 225,000 miles CEL on steady. car stalled out when stopped at light.

Question

I brought car to AAMCO for a reading on the CEL. They said "fuel system too lean" . DEL eventually went out for a few weeks. Came back on today and then car stalled out when stopped at a light. Started right up but sometimes feels like it is going to stall again. Engine is running very hot. Small hole at top of radiator. What could be the cause of CEL and car stalling?

Answer 1

P0171 Fuel trim lean Bank 1

Engine running hot, this will truly lean the system out, it can also blow a headgasket, When a engine is cold it needs more fuel just to stay running, when a engine is warmed it does not need much fuel, runnng its running too hot,that not good for the engine at all.

 Here is a Honda Civic with a DOHC. this engine ran hot, the vehicle eventually overheated and the only fix was to replace the headgasket, If your engine has a rough idle when the engine is cold you can expect the headgasket to have problems.

 

 If the coolant level is too low , it can affect the perfromance f the idle up control valve. where it is dependant on coolant passage to maintain its target idle.