LACK OF POWER ON TAKE OFF

suggest you check the distributor cap & especially the spark plug wire of the 3rd cylinder

Spray some starter fluid into the throttle body. If it starts, then you have a fuel problem. If it does not, then check foe lack of spark

Hi and welcome to FixYa!
As a first course of action, I strongly suggest that you replace the distributor cap. If the distributor cap carbon is faulty the result will surely be lack of power or stalling. Once replaced you'll be good.
Hope this helps and thank you for using FixYa! Have a good one!

Hi Tim,

I'm not sure what you mean by plenty of start power, but I'll try my best to explain things. If this doesn't help, reply back with answers to the following questions:
-Do the belts in the engine move when you try to start it?
-Do you hear any noises when you try to start it? (a single click, repeated clicking like a machine gun, etc)
-Do the lights on the dashboard stay illuminated when you try to start it, or do the flicker?

If the car will not turn over, it is usually a lack of electrical power (discharged battery), a failed starter solenoid (the switch that supplies power to the starter), or the starter motor itself. The only "non electrical" problem would be if the engine itself was seized.

If the engine turns over (the camshaft turns), then yes, it could be a distributor cap, ignition coil, ignition coil wire(s), or fuel pump, just to name a few. Your best bet would be to get a service manual for your specific model Honda and follow the troubleshooting guide in it. This will prevent you from throwing money away on parts that may not need to be replaced.

I hope this helps! Good luck!

try replacing the fuel filter

Hi,
It sounds like you have a timing issue. One question I would have to ask, is if recently, have the spark plugs or plug wires been replaced. Sometimes a plug wire can be snapped onto the wrong plug or into the wrong spot on the distributor.
Else I would have the timing checked. This could be a quick fix for you. I'm hoping so... Good luck!

replace the mass air flow meter.

you are off the timing by a tooth or two. when you replaced the cap and rotor, if you did not mark the position of the rotor with some point on the motor or firewall, then it is likely that you installed the rotor by a couple of degrees. so, when you are going up hill, and the engine needs to advance the timing to add power you timing is off even more causing lack of power and sputtering and backfiring.

Confirm ur fuel pump is working. Ensure ur pickup tube is not blocked. Then ensure u did not leave a rag or parts in the manifold tubes. Not laughing it happens. Is the distributor in the right spot. Etc etc. Did u rehook the alt up if removed . Is tje battery fully charged. And lastly is the fuel flowing and freash. Then recheck your work did u replace all parts right. Any air in the head gasket will make the fuel /air mixture off.
Good luck

have you done a service on your car its poss fuel filter or air filter is a must as it will affect your power and smokes

hope that helps