2000 Accord stumbles under heavy throttle

[Bruce]

'00 4cyl EX 5-speed 125k mi

This started all of the sudden like turning on a switch. Under heavy throttle at low revs the engine will buck and stumble. It runs fine with a light foot or at high revs. Replaced plugs, distributor cap and wires, no different. Mechanic friend says dirty injectors and to use Tetron injector cleaner. Two tanks later, still doing it. Am I not patient enough for injectors to clean out?
Another person said it may be electrical like coil. (Really?) I thought fuel filter, but couldn't find it and same mechanic friend says it's in gas tank and not worth the trouble to change.
It's one of those things that I could replace part after part trying to figure out and drive myself crazy and end up nickle and diming myself to death.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
- Bruce

[8695Beaters]

No kidding about the nickel and diming part.

Your mechanic buddy is half right. There is a filter on the fuel pump (which is in the tank), but there should also be another, bigger one down stream somewhere (probably mounted to the firewall).

Have you checked all the timing? If the ignition or crank timing is off, that will mess up low RPM load and cause the stumble you are talking about. Double check the plugs again to see if there is any unusual wear and also to double check the gap. Next, check out the relays. After that, I'm out of ideas.

[PrimeTimeV6]

Those year Accords are supposed to never have a fuel filter change. Its a permanent filter, but then you can change out the fuel filter but its a little pricey. Did you run the car all the way to empty?

[8695Beaters]

Didn't know that. Probably a timing issue then.