88 Accord runs very rich and dies while idling

[Da Flash]

I got a 88 Accord LX that is running rich ( you can smell it in the exhaust) and dies when you let it idle for more than a few seconds. I went through the usual test/tune up stuff;

1. I adjusted the throttle cable to hold the rpm's @ ~1300 and pulled each plug wire to see what the results were. #1 had a very light change, #2 had basically no change, #3+4 both had big changes that almost killed the engine

2. Changed the cap/rotor/plug wires and cleaned and regapped the plugs, the plugs were a light brownish in color and still between 040-.044 inches-- no noticeable change!!

I did notice that the coolant gauge on the dash stayed on "C" even though the hoses were all quite warm and the choke would try to close and open slightly every few seconds.

So now I'm kinda Stuck with where to go next. I'm thinking that it's either a carb adjustment because the carb was rebuilt ~6 months ago or maybe a bad distributor which I'm not sure how you could test.

Can someone tell me the difference between completely round distributor with the long lead that go to the coil vs the distributor with a flatside with the short coil lead

Thanks in advance!!!

[stephensimmons]

Is your choke opening fully like its suppose to?

[Da Flash]

Yes but, I did notice that it would close just a bit (20% at best) kinda like an on-off-on in about a second. It only seems to do it from time to time. The car runs like crap all the time though.

[Dr_Snooz]

I'm concerned about #1. Have you done a compression check?

[Da Flash]

I'm concerned about #1. Have you done a compression check?

Ya know, I hadn't thought of that! I'll give that and some other basic things (check vacuum and do some kinda baseline carb adjustment) to try and narrow it down.

Thanks!

[Da Flash]

So after some investigation, I've narrowed the problem down to a vacuum leak at the intake to head gasket. Below are the results;

1. carb cleaner along the top of the intake produce a higher, more stable idle.
2. placing a rag over the intake of the carb produces the same results as above.

I tried to tighten the bolts that hold the intake to the head but, those bottom nuts are a little...... difficult to get to!!!!

Is there some way of removing the intake without removing the head??

Oh yeah, compression number are all within tolerances.

[Da Flash]

I reevaluated the situation and decided to just pull the intake. It wasn't a walk in the park but, it was way easier than pulling the head/intake/exhaust or the engine!!! Basically you have to pull the aluminum/plastic box that runs the length of the intake on top and on the bottom, I pulled the altenator/oil filter/wiring harness that runs on the bottom of the intake. After you pull all of that, you can work a stubby wrench and/or a 1/4" drive ratchet. Whole thing took me ~4 hours to remove/replace the gasket and reassemble. It turned out to be the wrong intake gasket, the one that goes on a FI engine is a little too big and allows the gasket to get pushed out and create a vacuum leak.