Engine suddenly shudders and puts out very low power

Asked by Mitch Aug 02, 2016 at 08:04 PM about the 2001 Honda Civic EX

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 2001 Honda Civic Ex. When I'm driving in
heavy traffic (stop and go) and it's very hot (I'm in
Texas) occasionally my engine will shudder heavily
and the most I can get from it is about 15mph. The
electrical systems seem ok, AC and radio keeps
going. The check engine light does come on. I can
usually make it into a parking lot. After a while, 30
or an hour, I can sometimes crank the car back up
and it will work fine. The engine light will even
disappear on its own after a day or so. No
mechanic can seem to figure out what's wrong
because by the time I get it to the mechanic it's
working fine again. Why does it do this and how
can I get it to stop? It's put me in a fairly dangerous
driving situation a couple times now.

Mitch answered 8 years ago

Update. This also happens if I'm parked for a long period of time with the engine running.

Mark helpful

65,510

firebird338 answered 8 years ago

Sounds like a clogged catatlic converter or muffler.

Mark helpful

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Engine suddenly shudders and puts out very low power

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