Honda Car Forum

1985 Civic 1500S carb, manual trans 347000kms!

I went to start the car in the morning and it would not start. It turned
over just fine but would not start up. No indications of any problems the
previous day when I was driving home. I then checked for spark and for fuel
flow and both were good. I then tried starting it again and after tons of
cranking it started! The only problem is that after about 5 minutes it
stalls and then will not start. It almost sounds like it is running out of
gas but I know that the pump is good. Internal carb problem. I then
changed the fuel filters and that didn't help. Pulled the spark plugs and
they were good.

After researching on the net I discovered that there might be a problem with
a vacuum leak around the carb base...checked it and also replaced the
gaskets but still no luck.

I decided to try starting it one more time and cranked it over again and
again and it started again but 5 min later it dies and then I can't get it
started again.

I can't figure out what is wrong!

What would cause the car to be extremely difficult to get started and then
stall 5 minutes after it does start? Any ideas?

Car history: in the months prior to this event, the car had been starting
to idle funny. Sometimes it would go high and sometimes the car would want
to stall but stepping on the gas kept it from doing so. Also, when I would
floor the gas the car would stumble so I would have to ease up on the gas.
These happened on and off not constantly.

I'm leaning toward the problem being with the carb, what do you think?

Dr Spazz

>Dr Spazz" <goaway@toobadforyou.com> wrote in message
> I went to start the car in the morning and it would not start. It turned
> over just fine but would not start up. No indications of any problems the
> previous day when I was driving home. I then checked for spark and for
> flow and both were good. I then tried starting it again and after tons of
> cranking it started! The only problem is that after about 5 minutes it
> stalls and then will not start.

The fuel is used up in the bowl then stalls.

>It almost sounds like it is running out of
> gas but I know that the pump is good. Internal carb problem. I then
> changed the fuel filters and that didn't help.

The filters are okay but the bowel isn't receiving
fuel. Somewhere it's clog. If you're lucky you
might have a viewing porthole to see bowel's fuel level.

>Pulled the spark plugs and they were good.
> After researching on the net I discovered that there might be a problem
> a vacuum leak around the carb base...checked it and also replaced the
> gaskets but still no luck.
>
> What would cause the car to be extremely difficult to get started and then
> stall 5 minutes after it does start?

Here's what I see. During starting the fuel pump is
continuously on. This fills the bowel and it starts. The
fuel supply isn't keeping up with the demand.

> Car history: in the months prior to this event, the car had been starting
> to idle funny. Sometimes it would go high and sometimes the car would
> want to stall but stepping on the gas kept it from doing so.

This is a classic vacuum leak. Probably due to
installing the carburetor without proper gaskets or torque.
Dealer genuine gaskets are considered proper.

> Also, when I would floor the gas the car would
> stumble so I would have to ease up on the gas.

This is caused by a plug secondary jet.
Cleaning the jet will require a reverse flow.

> I'm leaning toward the problem being with the carb, what do you think?

Yes.
The problem may have originally caused
by not filling the fuel tank to more than
3/4 full each time. This prevents moisture
from condensing in the tank causing rusts
which plugs up the carb. Keeping the tank
3/4 full isn't practical since your buddy
will just want to go joyriding. :-)

--
Milo

Dr Spazz wrote:
> 1985 Civic 1500S carb, manual trans 347000kms!
>
> I went to start the car in the morning and it would not start. It
> turned over just fine but would not start up. No indications of any
> problems the previous day when I was driving home. I then checked
> for spark and for fuel flow and both were good. I then tried
> starting it again and after tons of cranking it started! The only
> problem is that after about 5 minutes it stalls and then will not
> start. It almost sounds like it is running out of gas but I know
> that the pump is good. Internal carb problem. I then changed the
> fuel filters and that didn't help. Pulled the spark plugs and they
> were good.
>
> After researching on the net I discovered that there might be a
> problem with a vacuum leak around the carb base...checked it and also
> replaced the gaskets but still no luck.
>
> I decided to try starting it one more time and cranked it over again
> and again and it started again but 5 min later it dies and then I
> can't get it started again.
>
> I can't figure out what is wrong!
>
> What would cause the car to be extremely difficult to get started and
> then stall 5 minutes after it does start? Any ideas?
>
> Car history: in the months prior to this event, the car had been
> starting to idle funny. Sometimes it would go high and sometimes the
> car would want to stall but stepping on the gas kept it from doing
> so. Also, when I would floor the gas the car would stumble so I
> would have to ease up on the gas. These happened on and off not
> constantly.
>
> I'm leaning toward the problem being with the carb, what do you think?

Clean out the distributor cap. If a finger wiped around the inside comes
up a bit soiled, take the cap off and wash it in detergent/Fairy washing
up
liquid. Give it a polish with wax preferably one with silicone additives
or (haven't tried this) ArmourAll. Make sure the cap is dry and non sticky
before you put it back on. You can see the merry dance I've had in the
Rover PGM-FI article in the 'Miscellanea' section of my website below.

HTH
--
Graham W http://www.gcw.org.uk/ PGM-FI page updated, Graphics Tutorial
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Dorset UK Astro Society's Web pages, Info, Meeting Dates, Sites & Maps
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