I bought the car from my Uncle's Landlord in Feb of 2010 for $500. The only things wrong with it were the crack in the windshield, a mismatched fender and some paint chipping on the hood. When I bought it, it had 132,xxx miles on it. From February '10 up until March '11 the only money I put into it was for oil changes, brakes, a new muffler (old one started to rot) and a front axle, so all-in-all less than $500.


Fast-forward to April '11. I start my car up and it feels wrong. It's a little shaky, idling under 500 rpms, and jerks a bit when I start to drive it. I reach a stop sign and it stalls. I start her up again and drive the car real easy to get what I had to get done. Since then, I've replaced loads of stuff all to no avail.

Sparkplugs and wires
Coil Packets
Catalytic Converter (thought it was clogged)
Cracked Distributor Cap
Fuel Filter
Fuel Injector

The car still has a loss of power, and my gas mileage is suffering hard. about 22-23 on the highway, which is about the same as my mothers Suzuki Grand Vitara V6. Also worth noting - it runs better cold, when I first start it up in the morning. If anyone has any ideas, feel free to pass them on :-/


edit - currently has 160k miles

 

Try to replace the IACV ( idle air control valve). This could be the problem, but normally if that valve goes out the motor will Surge. Did you replace the stuff listed above? Assuming you did. Replace the fuel pump, but dont get it from local auto zone or advance. They are known for crap parts. Go to Honda or order a Walbro from the internet. Also i dont think coil packs are on a 97, just cap wires and plugs.