Honda Car Forum

For the last few weeks I've been trying to fix this stalling problem.
I've owned this 88 LX carbed 5-speed with 145K miles since it was new,
and I want to keep it forever.

The car starts and runs as normal, except lately it intermittently
stalls out at idle. Not the best situation in stop and go traffic! It
always restarts, and will run if the idle is held over 1000 RPM. If I
let it idle, it will eventually stall out.

I looked for the obvious vacuum leak problems and replaced one of the
vacuum valves that was bad. (Frequency Solenoid Valve B)
I have lately replaced the PCV valve, and just checked it again.
I just cleaned and checked the EGR valve and reinstalled it with a new
gasket
I have recently replaced both fuel filters and today replaced the fuel
pump. The gas tank was clean inside.
I just adjusted the fuel level in the float bowl, after pulling the carb
top and checking that the bowl looked clean.

What else could the problem be???

dan

dan wrote:

> For the last few weeks I've been trying to fix this stalling problem.
> I've owned this 88 LX carbed 5-speed with 145K miles since it was new,
> and I want to keep it forever.
>
> The car starts and runs as normal, except lately it intermittently
> stalls out at idle. Not the best situation in stop and go traffic! It
> always restarts, and will run if the idle is held over 1000 RPM. If I
> let it idle, it will eventually stall out.
>
> I looked for the obvious vacuum leak problems and replaced one of the
> vacuum valves that was bad. (Frequency Solenoid Valve B)
> I have lately replaced the PCV valve, and just checked it again.
> I just cleaned and checked the EGR valve and reinstalled it with a new
> gasket
> I have recently replaced both fuel filters and today replaced the fuel
> pump. The gas tank was clean inside.
> I just adjusted the fuel level in the float bowl, after pulling the carb
> top and checking that the bowl looked clean.
>
> What else could the problem be???
>
> dan


might need a complete professional carb rebuild. or a rebuilt carb. a
GOOD rebuilt, not a cleaned up one.

are all the vacuum hoses new? theyre the first step, and a cheap easy
DIY job.

SoCalMike wrote:
> might need a complete professional carb rebuild. or a rebuilt carb. a
> GOOD rebuilt, not a cleaned up one.
>
> are all the vacuum hoses new? theyre the first step, and a cheap easy
> DIY job.

Thanks for that advice!

Where would I get a good rebuilt carb? I was actually considering doing
that job myself if its still necessary after I clean the carb better.
Worth a try anyway.

No, I haven't replaced all of the vacuum tubes, but I proabably will.

dan

An update on this problem, and its solution...

Turns out it was the primary fuel mixture cut-off solenoid valve on the
carb. Since it is only supplied with one positive voltage wire, it gets
ground from its attachment to the carb. I figured it out when I removed
it and covered the hole in the carb with tape. The car did not stall
when the valve was not installed. I scratched up the mounting surfaces
with sandpaper and all is well. The solenoid valve itself is fine.

I did replace a bunch of vacuum lines and cleaned the distributor. In
the process, I learned a lot more about this car.

dan

dan wrote:
> For the last few weeks I've been trying to fix this stalling problem.
> I've owned this 88 LX carbed 5-speed with 145K miles since it was new,
> and I want to keep it forever.
>
> The car starts and runs as normal, except lately it intermittently
> stalls out at idle. Not the best situation in stop and go traffic! It
> always restarts, and will run if the idle is held over 1000 RPM. If I
> let it idle, it will eventually stall out.
>
> I looked for the obvious vacuum leak problems and replaced one of the
> vacuum valves that was bad. (Frequency Solenoid Valve B)
> I have lately replaced the PCV valve, and just checked it again.
> I just cleaned and checked the EGR valve and reinstalled it with a new
> gasket
> I have recently replaced both fuel filters and today replaced the fuel
> pump. The gas tank was clean inside.
> I just adjusted the fuel level in the float bowl, after pulling the carb
> top and checking that the bowl looked clean.
>
> What else could the problem be???
>
> dan