86 Accord runs like crap

I have an 86 Accord carburated. Thing runs great when cold, but after a hot
soak it runs like crap! Bucks, surges and hesitates. This is usually only
when accelerating from a stop as I'm rowing up through the gears. Cruises
on the hi-way just fine and idle speed is right where it should be. I've
noticed, however, that if I floor the accelerator and allow the engine to
redline it takes care of the problem until the next time I shut it off and
it hot soaks.

I've overhauled the carb and replaced the float. I'm sure it's probably one
of the 5,000 or so solenoids has gone bad, but which one? Any ideas?

 

Miles on the car? Plugs and stuff fairly new? Engine using oil? Had
the valves adjusted? bob

 

Miles on the car? Plugs and stuff fairly new? Engine using oil? Had

Sorry. . .

195,000 miles on the engine. O.H.'d the carb, replaced the plugs, dist cap,
rotor and plug wires, fuel filters, timing belt and water pump about a year
ago. (All parts replaced with OEM.) Did a valve adjust about 6 months ago.
Engine doesn't burn a drop of oil.

A little history. I bought this car from a buddy for 75 bucks and a
subwoofer. He got it from a customer who dropped more than a thousand bucks
into it to get it to run (clutch, and other misc stuff) and then the timing
belt jumped. He didn't want to risk putting a belt on it and having bent
valves, so he sold it to my buddy, who sold it to me.

The thing needless to say is a piece, but it runs, mostly. It's always had
this problem since the day I started driving it, that's why I did the stuff
mentioned above. None of it has seemed to work.

I can hook a timing light and fuel pressure gauge up and drive it, and when
it acts up I have good spark and good fuel pressure, which leads me to
believe it has something to do with the carb, or like I said, one of the
thousands of solenoids Honda's shoved under there.

Trying to find reliable documentation of the fuel and emissions system on
this thing has been a nightmare in and of itself. Even Alldata's diagnostic
information is wrought with incongruities. Do you have any idea how many
vacuum hoses this thing has??? I mean JESUS!!!

Jim

 

It appears to me to be a problem related to the fuel system. The major
clue was when you said that it runs better after going really fast. That
cleans out the fuel system at least for a couple of days. I would first
try visiting a store like Auto Zone or NAPA and buy a can of chemicals
that you mix with a full tank of gas. It helps to clean out the fuel
system. In some cases, you may have to do it for the next two or three
filll-ups. Also, check to determine if there is a fuel filter. If so,
install a new one and throw away the old one. If none of my ideas work,
you may have to install a carb. kit. It's a major job if you never done it
before. If you have NOT done it before, find an older local mechanic to do
it for you. A young mechanic may have never even worked on a carb.

 

Yeah, I thought that at first too, and have probably dumped every fuel
cleaner and gas dryer on the market in that gas tank at least twice, all to
no avail. I'm still having the same problem, and it's been going on for
over a year now.

I thought possibly there might be rust in tank that was making it's way to
the carb, but neither fuel filter shows any sign of rust contamination.

 

James,
I have own cars that had a carb. and in most all cases, any fuel related
problems were almost always a result of a problem with the carb.
Since you are sure that the fuel lines have been cleaned out as well as
you can clean them, I would install a new carb. kit.
Before you do it, visit NAPA, AutoZone and any other stores in your town
that sells auto accessories and ask them if they sell rebuilt carbs--these
are carbs that have been taken apart and all of the rubber parts and
gaskets replaced with new ones. The carb. is also cleaned really well. The
usually give you a better price if you trade in your old carb.
They send out the old carbs and rebuild and clean them and sell them to
other people.

The rebuilt carb should solve your problem but even if it does not solve
your problem--your money will have been well invested.