[SIZE=1]I am having some problems with my 97' Accord. When I am driving the RPM odometer keeps spiking. The meter keeps jumping to about 4 and then back to 2. This happens with a just a little revving. Also when i am in idle it will do the same. The other thing is that there is a loud roaring noise when I am driving. It is an automatic and has about 95k miles. Anyone have an idea what the problem may be?

 

you might want to have the "fast idle thermo valve" checked. i had this exact same problem last fall.

how is the climate in your area? if this is the first time it happened and it's also the first time the air temp is near freezing, i'd have to say thermo valve.

 

Thanks for the reply. I live in Los Angeles where it is rarely below 70. Is it still possible for that to be the problem? If it is, then that is good news because a shop here told me it could be a timing belt problem which so far I have only quotes for around 500. How much do you think repairing the fast idle thermo valve should cost?

 

I live in Los Angeles so far I have only quotes for around 500


i live in LA area as well and i got my quote on new timing for 225 thats with new belts and a water pump (water pump i bought off ebay for 15$).. this is for a 97accord lx manual

 

i don't know of any signs a car gives off when the timing belt is failing, but at 95K, it would be a good idea to have it changed asap. i'm pretty sure honda suggests a new water pump and timing belt at 90K. timing belts snap without warning and will leave you stranded.

now that i think of it, there could be some other things causing the surging idle.

1) fast idle thermo valve
- upon startup, the engine's rpms will surge from 2000 to 4000 as if someone were stepping on the gas. (cold start / first start of the day)
- upon startup, the engine's rpms will dip from 500 to 1000 as if the engine were being bogged down with hot air. it'll feel like the engine is going to stall. (during the day / after the car has been driven for a while)

I didn't have the chance to repair this myself (i was in a parking lot in 0 degree weather) and the bill from the dealer was around $280.

2) vacuum leak
- check the PCV valve to see if it's jammed or cracked. investigate the hose line for tears or breaks.

the pcv valve is "L" shaped and made of plastic. it's only $3 at autozone.

 

Thanks for the reply. I am going to have my timing belt as well as thermal valve checked. Do you know of any good repair shops in LA? Replacing the belt and pump for 250 sounds cheap compared to some of the bogus shops I have called. If you remember where you got that quote that would be great. Thanks!