Wont Idle Properly

**88' Accord Ltd** · 01-01-2003, 04:45 PM

Hey i was on my way to go wash my car and on the way there i was coming to a stop sign I put my clutch in and my rpms dropped down but they dropped way down and my car stalled right out! I thought nothing of it and started her up again. Then it idled at like 100-500 wanting to stall but not letting itself then finally stalling again if i didnt give it gas. When I'm driving it, and giving it gas it runs fine. I was wondering what the cause of the problem could be? Thanks. My car is carbed.

**88' Accord Ltd** · 01-01-2003, 04:51 PM

Ok i just went outside to try and start it again. It WILL hold an idle now but its still rought and fluctuates between 900 and 1000. It normally idles at a smooth 1100. so

**88 Accord DX** · 01-01-2003, 05:14 PM

im having the same damn problem and its pissing me off. i too have a carbed car but mine is auto. what im thinking about doing is turning the idle speed back up to 1500 which is where it was when i bought it. this problem just started when it got cold.

**88' Accord Ltd** · 01-01-2003, 05:30 PM

I just tried messing with the carb, and with the idle. But it will idle as high as i set it to for like a second then it bogs down again, its idles normal then bogs down like in quick succession. So i dont think its the carb but I could be wrong. I think maybe a clogged fuel filter? What do you guys think?

**2old_honda** · 01-01-2003, 05:35 PM

sounds like a vac leak

**88' Accord Ltd** · 01-01-2003, 05:36 PM

That had also crossed my mind, Soo many vacuum lines to check tho ahhhh! I hope its a cheap fix.

**maka_RTH** · 01-01-2003, 05:50 PM

i was gonna say fuel filter

**88' Accord Ltd** · 01-01-2003, 06:11 PM

Alright, I changed one leaking vaccum hose and still the same problem. What would be the symptoms of a clogged fuel filter anyways?

**88 Accord DX** · 01-01-2003, 06:30 PM

yeah its either the idle speed or the fuel filter. im gonna adjust my idle speed tomorrow and if that doesn't work im gonna take it in to get the fuel filters looked at. (only cuz im too lazy to get out in the cold and do it myself.)

**88' Accord Ltd** · 01-01-2003, 06:45 PM

Does anyone think maybe the carb is at fault here? I knnow its on its last leg, it dies like 3 times before it will idle nice in the morning.

**88' Accord Ltd** · 01-01-2003, 07:50 PM

Alrite when i spray carb cleaner into the carb the idle raisies indicating a vacuum leak. Is there any easy way to go about checking for one? or do i have to check every hose individually?

**maka_RTH** · 01-01-2003, 08:44 PM

Originally posted by 88' Accord Ltd
Alright, I changed one leaking vaccum hose and still the same problem. What would be the symptoms of a clogged fuel filter anyways?

when i had my '87 accord over a year ago i got it with a bad filter. it would run perfectly fine, but after being at high rpms/just driving for a while, it would just stall. i wouldn't be able to start it for another 10-15 minutes. what was happening was that sediments in the fuel lines where getting through my filter and clogging the line, but fuel still got through when the rpms were up. but at idle, it would stall, and i'd have to wait the time for the crap to go back down so i could start it again. i could still pop the clutch though. your lines might be partially clogged as well because of your fuel filter.

**ACCORD EX** · 01-02-2003, 04:29 AM

vac leak or fuel filter if you have filled it recently !

MIKE

**88' Accord Ltd** · 01-02-2003, 01:57 PM

I really have no clue what the problem here was but I changed the carb and now it is idleing fine and not stalling out! So i guess it wasnt the fuel filters......I should change them anyways though. I also found 2 Vacuum hoses that had cracks or holes in them and were replaced. I dont know if those were the big problem or if it was something in the carb...oh well it works now! Thanks to everyone who helped out!

**AccordEpicenter** · 01-03-2003, 02:23 PM

check ur fuel pumps too.. somtimes they go bad

**88 Accord DX** · 01-03-2003, 03:03 PM

okay i found a super small crack in a vac line. this was a hair line crack but i fixed it and now no more stalling!!! it is idleing a little better but not the way it was before. one mechanic said i need a carb overhaul. i said fuck you. its kinda stupid to pay more for an overhaul than i would pay for a new (better) carb.

**njpeter** · 01-03-2003, 04:34 PM

any leak in an accord carb system means idle problem, which one was cracked?, in cold weather the hoses shrink and cracks appear, some cracks only appear when the engine is in gear with the brakes on.

I'd bet it was the line to the anti-afterburn valve (driver side near strut mounts) that line flexes whrn the engine moves.

**88 Accord DX** · 01-03-2003, 08:48 PM

no this line was on pas. side of carb i cant remember which but it was one of the 10000000 hoses there.

**Mike's89AccordLX** · 01-03-2003, 09:44 PM

Just remove all the vac. lines. Look at the how to. Looks better without the lines. I'm going to do it myself.

**njpeter** · 01-04-2003, 12:03 PM

but the great state of NJ has a pretty tough emissions test, including the dreaded road driving simulator. I'd need some king of magic cat converter ( maybe it has to be plated with unobtainium) if I had a rat's chance to pass the test without the 45 feet of hose that makes up the ecs.

carb cleaner still is one of the better ways to find such leaks quickly (or at least the general area)

**rocky2** · 01-04-2003, 06:46 PM

I was at the local Honda dealer and the parts man said that 3-g carbs have a common problem with the carb base element adapter plate "o"ring leaking vacum.

**88 Accord DX** · 01-04-2003, 09:04 PM

Originally posted by Mike's89AccordLX
Just remove all the vac. lines. Look at the how to. Looks better without the lines. I'm going to do it myself.

i have no fucking clue what your talking about but ill go look at the how to's right now.

**88 Accord DX** · 01-04-2003, 10:03 PM

the how to is down dammit. anyone have it some where else?

**Coitis1** · 01-05-2003, 07:33 PM

quick question. i had friend adjust my idle. wooo hooo, my car doesnt shake like hell anymore when in gear. anyways, it idles at 1800-2000 rpm's in park, is that too high??

**anchovies** · 01-05-2003, 09:57 PM

Originally posted by Coitis1
quick question. i had friend adjust my idle. wooo hooo, my car doesnt shake like hell anymore when in gear. anyways, it idles at 1800-2000 rpm's in park, is that too high??

When it first starts in cold weather, that figure is about correct. When the engine has warmed up, the idle should be around 750+-50.