I have a 1986 Honda Accord LXI that was.

CARIDIOT27

MEMBER
1986 HONDA ACCORD
97,000 MILES

I have a 1986 Honda Accord LXI that was originally from Arizona, but is now in NY. At times it runs fine, however:

- In warm weather it will run at a very, very high RPM until the car has warmed up. Approaching a stop sign, I have to really lay on the brakes while it is doing this.
- In cold weather it will run very rough and stall - often stalling at intersections - until warmed up. I have learned to throw the car into neutral or park at an intersection and rev the engine. When starting the car in the cold, it will not stay running without revving the engine.

When I say "warmed up" it does not warm up quickly. At times taking 20 minutes before it will run without problems.

5 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

86, is it carb or fuel injected?

If it is carb, the high idle needs to be set to proper rpm. The choke pulloff has an angle that has to be set as well.

If it is injected, I would start with checking the coolant sensor. That controls fuel when cold.

Also, I would change the thermostat to heat the motor up sooner

Roy

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Thursday, December 6th, 2012 AT 10:48 AM

CARIDIOT27

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3 POSTS

It has a carb.

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Thursday, December 6th, 2012 AT 3:25 PM

CARIDIOT27

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Also, don't miss the significance of the temperature. When it is 70 degrees, it often runs fine right at start up. In the middle of summer, the engine is almost revving all the time. The car will literally accelerate up to about 30 or 35 without my foot on the gas. In the middle of winter, it stalls without me having my foot on the gas. I should add that it needs more than just a little gas, I have to rev the engine to avoid the stall.

Those two problems are opposite. I can't see how setting the idle will fix it.

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Thursday, December 6th, 2012 AT 3:49 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Was anything done prior to this occurring?
Problem seems to be linked to the autochoke which
There seems to be more than 1 possible causes and I would suggest adjusting the idlng speed first. At least it should keep engine from stalling. This would not affect the high idle nor increase it.

1.8L & 2.0L Carbureted Engines

1. Start and warm engine to normal operating temperature. On 2.0L engine with automatic transaxle, remove air filter from frequency solenoid valve "C" and plug the opening. See Fig. 3. With engine idling under no load condition, lower idle speed as much as possible by turning throttle stop screw.

2. Adjust idle speed to 550-650 RPM by turning idle control screw. Turn headlights and rear defroster on, and set heater blower switch to maximum output. Adjust idle speed to 50-650 RPM by turning adjusting screw on controller linkage. Turn accessories off.

3. With engine idling under no load condition, turn A/C on. Adjust idle speed to 650-750 RPM by turning adjusting screw on controller motor. Turn A/C off and recheck idle speed. Adjust idle speed to 650-750 RPM (600-700 RPM on High Altitude) by turning throttle stop screw.

4. On all other models, disconnect and plug vacuum hose from intake air control diaphragm. Connect tachometer and observe idle speed with all electrical accessories off, including electric cooling fan. Keep front wheels in straight-ahead position on models with power steering.

5. If necessary, adjust idle speed to specification by turning throttle stop screw. If idle speed is extremely high, check dashpot system. On automatic transaxle models, disconnect hose from frequency solenoid valve "A" and connect it to bottom port of air control valve "A". See
Fig. 4.

6. Disconnect air cleaner intake tube form air duct. Insert propane hose 4" onto air intake tube. With engine idling, slowly open propane control valve to obtain maximum engine speed.

7. If engine speed increases to enriched RPM, proceed to step 15). If engine speed does not increase, close propane control valve and remove air cleaner.

8. On 2.0L engine, disconnect vacuum hose to fast idle unloader. Pull throttle cable out of bracket. Remove carburetor nuts and washers, and bolt securing steel vacuum manifold. Lift carburetor clear of studs and tilt it backward. Remove throttle opener bracket screw and bracket.

9. Remove mixture adjusting screw hole cap from behind throttle opener bracket. Reinstall bracket and reinstall carburetor on engine. Reconnect vacuum hose to fast idle unloader.

10. On 1.8L engine, drain coolant and remove carburetors as follows: Remove two 10 mm bolts under air cleaner base. Remove nuts from air screens and flanges. Remove air cleaner base.

11. Label and disconnect all vacuum hoses and lines from carburetors. Disconnect throttle cable and vacuum hose from throttle opener diaphragm. Disconnect automatic choke lead. Remove carburetors.

12. Place a drill stop on a 1/8" drill bit (1/8" from end). Drill through center of mixture screw hole plug. Screw a sheet metal screw into hole. Grab head of screw with a pair of pliers and remove hole plug.

13. On 1.8L and 2.0L, install carburetors in reverse order of removal and replace coolant, if required. Install air cleaner. Start engine and warm to normal operating temperature. Disconnect and plug vacuum hose from intake air control diaphragm. Reconnect propane enrichment equipment. Recheck maximum propane enriched RPM.

14. If enriched RPM is low, lean out mixture by turning mixture screw clockwise 1/4 turn and recheck RPM. If enriched RPM is high, enrich mixture by turning mixture screw counterclockwise 1/4 turn and recheck RPM.

15. Close propane control valve and recheck idle speed. Run engine at 2500 RPM for 10 seconds to stabilize mixture. Repeat procedure until idle RPM and enriched RPM are correct. Remove propane enrichment kit. Reconnect air cleaner intake tube.

16. Remove carburetor from engine. Remove throttle opener bracket and install mixture adjusting screw hole cap. Reinstall throttle opener bracket on carburetor. Reinstall carburetor on engine and reconnect all vacuum hoses. Check idle-up speed.

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