Honda Car Forum

1985 Accord. 172k miles. Carburetor. Manual transmission.
Air cleaner recently disturbed to explore occasional carb icing problem.
(See http://www.misterfixit.com/carbice.htm)

Engine has been running well. **Suddenly** I have a high idle problem. Near
the end of a 20 mile drive on a recent cold day, stopped at a light,
suddenly the engine wouldn't idle down. Idling at 2K or more. I let out the
clutch and the car almost drives itself - little accelerator required. I've
not seen idle below 1.5K since. Runs rough, gas smell, and gas consumption
is off the charts. On cold start, idle immediately jumps to 2.5K or more
before idling back to about 1.5K. Fast deceleration or sharp left turn (!)
seems to cause idle fluctuation.

Why?

Thanks
Richard D.
************************************************** ***
An update:

Engine also diesels (run on) for a few moments after shutdown. Never seen
that in cold weather before.

Light colored smoke for a few moments on startup in cool/cold weather has
been an issue for a couple of years. Since the high idle began, there is
much more smoke for much longer time (several minutes).

While out driving this morning there was an interval of several miles where
idle dropped and the engine stalled several times. High idle soon returned.

Thanks for any available insight!
Richard D.

Off hand, I think there is a float level problem. May have dirt in the
float chamber, or leaky floats. Find a good (old) mechanic that has been
around Honda carbs before and see what he says. bob

Richard wrote:
>
> 1985 Accord. 172k miles. Carburetor. Manual transmission.
> Air cleaner recently disturbed to explore occasional carb icing problem.
> (See http://www.misterfixit.com/carbice.htm)
>
> Engine has been running well. **Suddenly** I have a high idle problem. Near
> the end of a 20 mile drive on a recent cold day, stopped at a light,
> suddenly the engine wouldn't idle down. Idling at 2K or more. I let out the
> clutch and the car almost drives itself - little accelerator required. I've
> not seen idle below 1.5K since. Runs rough, gas smell, and gas consumption
> is off the charts. On cold start, idle immediately jumps to 2.5K or more
> before idling back to about 1.5K. Fast deceleration or sharp left turn (!)
> seems to cause idle fluctuation.
>
> Why?
>
> Thanks
> Richard D.
> ************************************************** ***
> An update:
>
> Engine also diesels (run on) for a few moments after shutdown. Never seen
> that in cold weather before.
>
> Light colored smoke for a few moments on startup in cool/cold weather has
> been an issue for a couple of years. Since the high idle began, there is
> much more smoke for much longer time (several minutes).
>
> While out driving this morning there was an interval of several miles where
> idle dropped and the engine stalled several times. High idle soon returned.
>
> Thanks for any available insight!
> Richard D.

Thanks for the tip. I've decided to replace this relic. Know anyone who
might want it?

Richard


"N.E.Ohio Bob" <rgstroud@neo.rr.com> wrote in message
news:400577AB.4F07E5B3@neo.rr.com...
> Off hand, I think there is a float level problem. May have dirt in the
> float chamber, or leaky floats. Find a good (old) mechanic that has been
> around Honda carbs before and see what he says. bob
>
> Richard wrote:
> >
> > 1985 Accord. 172k miles. Carburetor. Manual transmission.
> > Air cleaner recently disturbed to explore occasional carb icing problem.
> > (See http://www.misterfixit.com/carbice.htm)
> >
> > Engine has been running well. **Suddenly** I have a high idle problem.
Near
> > the end of a 20 mile drive on a recent cold day, stopped at a light,
> > suddenly the engine wouldn't idle down. Idling at 2K or more. I let out
the
> > clutch and the car almost drives itself - little accelerator required.
I've
> > not seen idle below 1.5K since. Runs rough, gas smell, and gas
consumption
> > is off the charts. On cold start, idle immediately jumps to 2.5K or more
> > before idling back to about 1.5K. Fast deceleration or sharp left turn
(!)
> > seems to cause idle fluctuation.
> >
> > Why?
> >
> > Thanks
> > Richard D.
> > ************************************************** ***
> > An update:
> >
> > Engine also diesels (run on) for a few moments after shutdown. Never
seen
> > that in cold weather before.
> >
> > Light colored smoke for a few moments on startup in cool/cold weather
has
> > been an issue for a couple of years. Since the high idle began, there is
> > much more smoke for much longer time (several minutes).
> >
> > While out driving this morning there was an interval of several miles
where
> > idle dropped and the engine stalled several times. High idle soon
returned.
> >
> > Thanks for any available insight!
> > Richard D.