My '83 Civic has developed a hard starting malady (cold or hot engine).

Noticed it about four weeks ago just before I (flew) back east for a
three week sojourn. Barely got it started the other morning after
returning. The frist time it occurred, it went away after the engine
reached operating temperature.


Symptoms:

* Fully depressed gas pedal to start (cold or hot)

* Rough idle (occasionally stalls)

* No control of timing when rotating distributor position

* Engine "bucks" when driving while maintaining speed in 2nd or 3rd gear.


What I did...

* Disconnected the vacuum line that runs from the control box to the
engine and feeds the distributor advance via a "T" fitting. Found that
if I leave the line (semi) connected, i.e. hooked up from carb to
control box but with the dist line disconnected (open), the engine idle
increases but is rough. Reconnect, and engine slows down to the point
of stalling. Same result if I simply put my finger on the open end of
the "T" fitting that feeds the box and engine.

So, something has failed and the Honda manual is as clear as mud.

Is there a "work around" to solve this problem?

Ol' Grumpy thanks you in advance!

JT

(Pun intended)