I got this car about 10 months ago and i am stuck with issues that make me afraid to drive it.

The main issue at the moment is this:
Almost every morning I start it up and head to work sometimes it starts to hesitate and stumble at higher RPM's like its running out of gas (tapping the gas does nothing) and it finally stalls.
Before it would only do this at higher speeds like with cruise control set on 55 or 60. Back then I was also getting a Vtec Malfunction error which was a clogged Oil Pressure Sensor Screen thing in the Vtec.
After that was replaced it was running great for a while then it started cutting out again but only at higher speeds especially going flat out.
The other day after filling up on my way home it stalled and wouldn't restart for a while then when it did and I was able to get it up to like 25 it back fired and then back fired again pulling into my driveway as well as stalling.

So far..... Since I got the car early this year this has been done...

New Timing Chain / Water Pump
New right rear wheel Bearing
New Coolant hoses
New Radiator Cap
New Battery
New Belts
New Vtec Gasket & Screen (All other Vtec Parts Checked out fine)
Oil Change, Air Filter, Oil Filter (Full Synthetic High Mileage) every 3000 mi.
New Plugs (NGK) and Wires
New Cap & Rotor
New Front HO2 Sensor
New Cat Conv.
New Transmission (Not Used, 100% Rebuilt w/2 yr warranty) ($3250) yikes!

It has 181000 mi on it

What the hell is wrong with my car??
I am getting sick of driving the POS standby I have to use till this one is fixed lol.

I am getting a CEL code P0420

 

If at high rpm you are stalling? Could be fuel pump.

 

Is your CEL on? Check your EGR Passage it maybe clogged. If the EGR passage is clogged it will cause engine hesitation.

 

I am getting a CEL code P0420
And it is stalling all the time now,... Yesterday I couldn't get it started again while driving it to a shop

 

o2 sensors? it's definitely emission related
why not take it to the dealer?

 

0420 is rear 02 sensor.

backfire could be due to car running tooooooo lean at higher speeds.

Have you checked the fuel pressure? Also, you may want to replace the fuel pump filter is its never been done before.
supposedly honda states you dont ever need to replace it.
I replaced mine at 130k miles and lets just say it was dirty dirty dirty.

but yeah,,sounds like your fuel pump might not be working at its fullest.
higher RPMS' = more fuel needed.

 

P0420 is a code that means the catalyst system efficiency below is threshold. The catalytic converter has deteriorated and needs to be replaced.

 

well, the CEL could trigger a 0420 if F.P is sub par at higher RPM's

 

I have a 1998 Honda Accord Ex Coupe 4 cyl

Previously this was the problem,...
Almost every morning I start it up and head to work sometimes it starts to hesitate and stumble at higher RPM's like its running out of gas (tapping the gas does nothing) and it finally stalls.
Before it would only do this at higher speeds like with cruise control set on 55 or 60. Back then I was also getting a Vtec Malfunction error which was a clogged Oil Pressure Sensor Screen thing in the Vtec.
After that was replaced it was running great for a while then it started cutting out again but only at higher speeds especially going flat out.
The other day after filling up on my way home it stalled and wouldn't restart for a while then when it did and I was able to get it up to like 25 it back fired and then back fired again pulling into my driveway as well as stalling.
I decided to take it back to the shop to get the fuel pressure tested.
Unfortunately it only made it halfway to the shop before it stalled and would not restart no matter what I did. I ended up having to pay $76 to get it towed about a half a mile to the shop lol. So they checked the fuel pressure and it was fine. Then he did another test with some expensive diagnostic mini computer thing while it was driving and found out that the ICM was acting up. Turns out the hesitating stalling performance issue was all caused by a bad ICM so they installed a new Distributor (ICM is built into that) and It ran perfect.

Now I am still getting CEL code P0420

I am also noticing I am averaging about 15 mpg per tank
as a delivery driver this sucks horribly.

Any ideas?

I have tested driving a whole tank under 4000 rpm to see if I was just gunning it too much with no change at all.

I have also tested driving a tank using sport mode (above 4000 rpm) frequently and still no change in mpg 15-16

The only way I get the mfg stated economy is if I drive a whole tank of highway miles
and I get 30-31 mpg.

So far..... Since I got the car this has been done...

New Timing Chain / Water Pump
New right rear wheel Bearing
New Coolant hoses
New Radiator Cap
New Battery
New Belts
New Vtec Gasket & Screen (All other Vtec Parts Checked out fine)
Oil Change, Air Filter, Oil Filter (Full Synthetic High Mileage) every 3000 mi.
New Plugs (NGK) and Wires
New Cap & Rotor (OEM)
New Front HO2 Sensor (OEM)
New Cat Conv. (OEM)
New Transmission (Not Used, 100% Rebuilt w/2 yr warranty) ($3250) yikes!
New Distributor (Needed new ECM)

It has 181000 mi on it

CEL code P0420

Also would the Service Engine Soon light flash if a belt was slipping when the car is started cold or would that be caused by something else?

(It will sometimes flash and then stay on or sometimes just come on and stay on)
(This just started happening in the last few weeks)

Help ?!?

 

As I stated it has a NEW OEM Cat so that cant be the problem