The first and easiest thing to check are the spark plugs. And they're also cheap.

 

I had a chance to finally take a look at my car over the weekend and I did a full replacement of the cap/rotor/wires/plugs, and after doing the cap and rotor nothing changed...then I did the wires, and still no change, then I did the plugs and everything went back to normal -

It looks as if 3/4 of my plugs were fouled up pretty bad, as I had carbon buildup and oil on them. So it looks like the problem is solved, but it revealed another issue probably coming down the line like bad valve guides or something close...

Thanks again for the help everyone - btw, anyone know how much a valve job is? Besides the timing belt, that'll probably be another thing I need to take care of soon...

 

I had the same problem about four years ago in Japan with my wifes Prelude. I took it to my mechanic for a tune up since we were about to sell the car before we moved to America. The mechanic pulled the spark plugs and found they were in dire need of a change. He also replaced the fuel filter. After the plugs and fuel filter were changed the problem never returned. Car ran as good as new when we sold it. only had 70,000 Km on it when it was sold for $1,500...used cars aren't worth shizznit in Japan...sigh...I loved that car *sniff*.

 

Anyone know how to replace the fuel filter?

 

A Hayne's Manual really helps for a lot of these how-to's. Valve job is in there. Fuel filter is in there. There's a really good valve job how-to in the do-it-yourself forum on HAN. Fuel filter consists of relieving the pressure in the lines, removing the banjo bolt, and replacing. Good luck to all.