Long time lurker, registered to post this.

2008 Honda Fit Base Auto with 164k. Bought with 64k and put on about 100k with no real issues other than normal maintenance but no valve adjustment

Was my daily driver until I got a deal on a very low mileage new to me car. Took this off the road for maybe two months. Started regularly and driven around the block a couple times a week. Prior to taking off the road, it was rough idling and stalling at cold start but running fine when warmed up for five minutes or so. Figured I needed to do the valves from lurking here.

Issue: My significant other needed a car quick so we put this on the road for her. Drove it home from where I parked it (around 20 miles) and it was running rough. Parked and the next day started and immediately died. It will now start if you give it gas and continue running if you give it gas but as soon as you let off it dies quickly (2-3 seconds).

Step Taken: New coils/plugs/MAP sensor with no change in issue

Questions: Could this just be caused by the valves? I know it causes rough idle/stalling/cold start issues but would it be this severe that it won't start without gas and stalls immediately when not on the gas? I want to get this on the road for her but before I take on a job that will likely take me a while and cause me some grief I wanted to check if it was worth it to go this route or if I should just bite the bullet and get to a mechanic.

 

Is there a CEL?

I would do a valve adjustment as it is a common issue for them to need adjusting by 100k.

 

There is a CEL but the code reader is getting no power plugged in. I am going to investigate that today.

 

It's not just the valves. You may have a vacuum leak somewhere, probably an old hose. Also a good idea to replace PCV valve.

 

Got the code reader to work, blown fuse.

Initially showed 11 codes, all misfires and a P0404.
Cleared the codes, start it, hold the gas so it stays running. Cannot get any further codes to produce.
I have cleaned out the EGR valve within the past 6 months and the piston was moving.

Seems to run well over 1500 RPM and doesn’t seem to be misfiring at that RPM but still dies as soon you let off the gas.

PCV is next and trying to find any vaccuum leaks.

 

I just remembered that these motors use IACV - idle air control valve. Search this site, or Google, for more info.
And do clean the throttle body when you get around to adjusting the valve clearance.

 

Valve adjust and a half a can of seafoam in a tank of fuel, do it at least twice..

The valves getting out of adjustment, will cause more pain..

They cause:
Intake system carbon due to dirty EGR
Hotter coil temps due to engine not running right.
dirtier oil due to misfires
carbon fouling of cylinders
ruin cat due to bad mixture
worse mileage
more engine wear

It needs done every 60 K JUST LIKE THE CIVIC from the 80's
Its practically the same design. Yes you can stretch it out.. But why? on a GD its a hour job..

 

How old is the gas?? If the car sat for a while moisture could have built up, especially now that most gas has some ethanol in it, and that could be causing problems

 

Not the US/Canada models