Totally agree with Curly - those are the same things that came to my mind.

As another inexpensive thing to change, I'd also change the fuel filter -
those can cause weird things like that too.

Hope you nail it soon.
Remco


"motsco_ _" <"motsco_ _"@interbaun.com> wrote in message
news:41ABAFFB.9020100@interbaun.com...
> Greg wrote:
> > I have a '89 LX Civic with a D15B engine, Carb, 5 spd. 220'000kms. NZ
> > assembled, no emission control etc.
> > Often lately, under light load, the engine violently stutters, once
loaded
> > up, irrespective of rpm, it runs fine.
> > The problem usually goes away if left overnight, but not always. Most of
the
> > time this happens when the engine has been at operating temp. for a long
> > while, but may still be there even after hours of cool down.
> > Car has been fairly well maintained, but nothing had be done immediately
> > prior to the problem first time.
> > Any ideas on where to start looking? I'm on a budget, so I'd rather not
use
> > the hit & miss theory by replacing parts until I find the right one.
> > Thanks in advance for any help.
> >
> > Greg.
> >
>
> ====================
>
> Cheapest thing to try is a couple tanks of gasohol, if available in your
> area.
>
> Check both ends of your negative and positive cables, and especially the
> grounds to the chassis from the engine. The 'light load' part caught my
> eye. Poor grounding can show up worse if engine is sitting straight, not
> 'leaning into' it.
>
> You may have to unbolt the ends to see if corrosion has gotten under.
>
> 'Curly'
>