1987 Accord LX - idle speed checking and adjustment

Hi!

My 1987 Accord LX seems to have an idle speed problem.

The label on the underhood states that the fast idle speed should be
2500 +/- 500 rpm, and the idle speed should be 800 rpm.

I start the engine and the initial rpm reads 1750-1850. Then after a
minute or two when it starts warming up it goes up to 2500-2625 rpm,
which seems to be ok according to the label.

(BTW, my engine has a few oil leaks; I also noticed some smoke coming
up from the exhaust manifold area; not sure if it's old oil on the
surface of the engine burning up or if it's something else; anyway
when the engine warms up the smoke is gone.)

I have a couple of aftermarket manuals (Haynes & Chilton) and I read
somewhere in there that the carburetor choke should open up as the
engine warms up. I notice that the choke opens however it doesn't
open to a complete 90 degrees position (about 30-45 degrees is more
like it).

I recently replaced the PCV valve and hose going into the breather box
as well as the upside-down "U" hose connecting the PCV valve to the
intake manifold. I also replace the thermostat which was stuck open.
Now the car warms up faster.

The two fans came on approximately 12 minutes after startup. Then,
when the fans went off the engine rpm shot up to 3000-3100 rpm and it
wouldn't come down. At 13 minutes the two fans came on again and the
rpm held up there @ 3100. I depressed the accelerator pedal and the
rpm dropped to 2650-2750, but it never went lower than that. I turned
off the engine at 18 minutes.

The manuals talk about checking the choke and/or the fast idle
unloader. I haven't been able to find the unloader in order to test
it. (I'm not a mechanic; I'm just a regular guy who got tired of being
ripped-off by mechanics and wants to learn; I'm following the
instructions in my manuals and posting questions here and in other
forums. I you're a mechanic, please don't get upset with me as I'm
not generalizing and I'm sure there are many fine and honest mechanics
out there. It's just my luck that I've yet to run into one...

Anyone has any clues, recommendations and/or comments?

Thanks!
MC

 

Ok, I *think* I've found the fast idle unloader and the choke opener. I had
to remove the air filter assembly (and along with it, some hoses... about 5)
in order to reach them. The manuals I have have some tests to perform on
the fast idle unloader and the choke opener, but the engine has to be
running. How can I run the engine and perform these test with all of those
hoses disconnected?

Thanks!

MC

 

Another thing...

The Chilton manual says that the throttle cable should deflect no more than
3/16" to 3/8" between the locknut and the bell crank. The cable in my car
is much much looser than that... I'd say it deflects more than 1/2"... and
I don't think that adjusting the locknut is going to give me more
adjustment... it's already set almost as far as it can go (in terms of
adjustment). I'm wondering if the whole throttle assembly has gotten stuck
and it won't go back to the "normal" (accelerator not depressed) position.
Has anyone run into this?

MC

 

I took a picture which you can access here:
http://home.rochester.rr.com/casamia/honda87carb.JPG

I think that "A" is the fast idle unloader, "B" is the choke opener; I don't
know what "C" is but it connects to the throttle through a rod. Can anyone
tell me for sure what "A", "B" and "C" are?

Thanks!
MC

 

If I can fix the electrical problem with my LX-i, I'll sell you my
factory manual for the '87 Accord. bob

 

I just ordered the 1987 Accord Shop Manual from Helm ($59 USD). I read many
posts on this newsgroup that the Helm manual is pretty accurate and much
better than the Chilton and/or Haynes. - MC

 

MC,
I advise you to follow the instuctions in the manual related to rebuilding
the carbuator. You need to buy a carb. kit from Honda or you may be able
to get one at a auto parts store. The carb. kit comes with new gaskets and
everything you will need. If you don't feel that you can do it--take it to
a mechanic that specializes in Hondas. One of the problems with older cars
is that the carbuators develops lots of problems--mainly related to worn
out gaskets.