1992 Honda Prelude Rough short term idle when starting

Tiny
OKLAHOMALUDE92
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 HONDA PRELUDE
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 204,000 MILES
Everyday when I go out to the car for the first time, or it sits for a while, and I start it, it idles really rough like it's not getting much gas or a few cylinders aren't working and it SEEMS like it would die. But after about 10-15 seconds it starts idling perfectly. If I shut it of and restart it, it's fine. It only happens when it's a cold engine. It happens in either hot or cold weather. I have replaced the plugs, wires, rotor, cap, thermal control valve, used fuel injector cleaner. Can't think of anything else that would cause such a short term problem. Thanks in advance.
Friday, May 28th, 2010 AT 11:11 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi OklahomaLude92,

If you do not have any coolant losses and overheating issues, I would suggest getting the valve clearances checked.

If the clearances are insufficient, it can cause the symptoms described.
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Saturday, May 29th, 2010 AT 9:54 AM
Tiny
OKLAHOMALUDE92
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Well, now that you mention it, I have to add coolant about once a month or it will overheat while sitting at a light, temp drops to normal as soon as I start moving again, until I add coolant. Also, I can hear a clicking noise AS IF the valve lash needs to be adjusted, but I wouldn't know for sure about the later.

Thanks again.
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Saturday, May 29th, 2010 AT 10:25 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
If you need to be adding coolant at the radiator whereas the recovery tank is never empty, then you might have a bad head gasket.
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Saturday, May 29th, 2010 AT 11:52 AM

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