Quick Answer: Engine hesitation during acceleration is usually caused by problems with fuel delivery, ignition timing, air measurement sensors, or throttle control. The most common culprits I see in the shop are dirty mass airflow sensors, failing throttle position sensors, weak fuel pumps, and worn ignition components. Accurate diagnosis saves hundreds of dollars by avoiding … Read more
It was a Tuesday morning in late September when Mrs. Chen rolled into my bay with her 2016 Honda Accord. “It just doesn’t go anymore,” she said, frustration clear in her voice. She’d press the gas pedal to merge onto the highway, and the car would wheeze like an asthmatic trying to run a marathon. … Read more
Tuesday morning, 7:30 AM. A ’98 Civic rolls into my bay with the customer white-knuckled and frustrated. “It keeps dying at every stoplight,” she says, her voice cracking. The poor girl’s been nursing this thing for weeks, restarting it in traffic like she’s playing Russian roulette with rush hour. One quick scan, a $47 part … Read more
Last Tuesday, 3:47 PM—heat index 104°F—a sweating guy in a 2016 Honda Civic LX rolled into my shop looking like he’d seen a ghost. “It’s doing this every time I hit the AC,” he said, mimicking violent shaking. His knuckles were white on the steering wheel. I popped the hood and saw it immediately: … Read more
If your car shudders, bucks, or threatens to stall the moment you turn the key—especially on a chilly morning—you’re dealing with a rough idle at startup. It’s one of the most common yet frustrating issues drivers face. Left unaddressed, it can lead to poor fuel economy, failed emissions tests, or even engine damage over time. … Read more
Quick Answer: An engine rattling noise is usually caused by a loose component (like a heat shield or accessory bracket), an exhaust rattle, low or incorrect engine oil, or internal issues such as timing chain rattle. The key is identifying when the noise happens—cold start, acceleration, idle, or deceleration—because each points to a different failure. … Read more
It was 6:47 AM on a freezing January morning when Sarah pulled into my bay with her 2015 Honda Accord. “It sounds like metal teeth chewing rocks,” she said, and honestly, that’s the best description I’ve ever heard for a failing starter motor grinding. I turned the key, and sure enough—GRRRRR-GRRRRR-GRRRRR—that unmistakable metal-on-metal shriek that … Read more
It was 7:30 a.m., still dark outside, and the rain hadn’t let up all night. A regular customer rolled in with a 2012 Honda Accord that “just didn’t feel right anymore.” Rough idle, sluggish acceleration, and a check engine light that liked to disappear whenever he pulled into the parking lot. I’d heard this story … Read more
Quick Answer: That ticking sound? 8 times out of 10 it’s hydraulic lifters needing oil flow or fuel injectors doing their normal business. But if it’s loud, irregular, or changes with engine speed—especially after an oil change—check lifter noise first. Exhaust leaks and timing chain issues are serious but less common. Diagnose properly before spending money! … Read more
Quick Answer Engine knocking noise is a metallic pinging or rattling sound caused by abnormal combustion (detonation) or worn mechanical parts. Common fixes: use higher-octane fuel, clean carbon buildup, replace spark plugs, or repair bottom-end bearings. DIY cost: $20–$400. Shop cost: $200–$3,500. Tuesday, 7:15 a.m., 38 °F in the shop—my coffee hadn’t even cooled when … Read more