Honda Car Forum

1990 honda accord 4 cyl

When I start the car in the morning, it cranks for 5-10 seconds before starting.
If it has been running within a few hours it starts right away.

I think fuel is draining from a fuel line overnight, so it has to pump all the
way from the tank before starting in the morning. Since it hasnt alway done this
I think there is a small leak somewhere.

Car runs fine and gets good mileage.

Am I right and where should I look for the leak ?

Thanks

Gene W

Gene Wagenbreth wrote:
> 1990 honda accord 4 cyl
>
> When I start the car in the morning, it cranks for 5-10 seconds before
> starting.
> If it has been running within a few hours it starts right away.
>
> I think fuel is draining from a fuel line overnight, so it has to pump
> all the
> way from the tank before starting in the morning. Since it hasnt alway
> done this
> I think there is a small leak somewhere.
>
> Car runs fine and gets good mileage.
>
> Am I right and where should I look for the leak ?
>
> Thanks
>
> Gene W

---------------------------

It could be flooding overnight. Try holding it to the floor instead and
see if it starts faster. (read your manual to confirm).

I'm assuming you have fuel injection. Use injector cleaner to cure the
problem, if that's what you find.

'Curly'

Gene Wagenbreth wrote:
> 1990 honda accord 4 cyl
>
> When I start the car in the morning, it cranks for 5-10 seconds before
> starting.
> If it has been running within a few hours it starts right away.
>
> I think fuel is draining from a fuel line overnight, so it has to pump
> all the
> way from the tank before starting in the morning. Since it hasnt alway
> done this
> I think there is a small leak somewhere.
>
> Car runs fine and gets good mileage.
>
> Am I right and where should I look for the leak ?
>
> Thanks
>
> Gene W


Check to see if the carb has a "power valve." This may be the culprit as
it was in my '83 Civic that suffered the same exact symptoms. Once
started, it ran fine all day but let it stand over night, ten to twelve
seconds of cranking was needed to get the carb refilled. The "power
valve" resides in the bottom of the carb and is the prime source to leak.

There are other possibilities for carb "leakage" and you might have to
investigate further.

A negative side of this symptom is that over time, it can "wash" the
rings with gas thus increasing wear on the engine in addition to
thinning out the motor oil.

Best to get this corrected.

JT