1990 Honda Accord EX 2.2 Liter
 

I just bought this car yesterday. It has 266 thousand + miles on it. Really! I'm not kidding. It had a misfire that a new set of plugs and wires fixed. It needs a valve cover gasket badly. But what is really bothering me is the rough idle. It'll rattle your teeth out. Anyone else ever have one of these this old that may have this problem. I can't seem to figure it out. BTW I only paid $500 for this car so I am not sure I want to spend awhole lotta money on it. ANy thoughts as to what it may be would be great.

Re: 1990 Honda Accord EX 2.2 Liter (maddest_hatter)
 

at $500 you can afford to spend a little bit on the car, because you just about Stole it. LOL
What is the idle speed?
Check the vacum actuator on the rear subframe motor mount, the linkage comes unhooked sometimes, also be sure it gets vacum to it.
The front subframe motormount will break the rubber in the top part of the 'dogbone'.
Clean the throttle plate area with a toothbrush [never wire brush] and some Berrymans B-12 carb cleaner.

Re: 1990 Honda Accord EX 2.2 Liter (hondadude)
 

I set the idle up to about 1000 just to get it to settle down a bit. Could you show me a picture or explain to me where this "vacum actuator on the rear subframe motor mount" is. This is the first Honda I've ever owned. Up till now it's been mostly MOPARs and this engine looks nothing like my magnum! LOL

Re: 1990 Honda Accord EX 2.2 Liter (maddest_hatter)
 

Can someone tell me the firing order and cylinder numbers for this 2.2 engine? I think the plugs wires may be on wrong.

Re: 1990 Honda Accord EX 2.2 Liter (maddest_hatter)
 

There is a solenoid about the middle of the firewall, it has a vacum hose going down to the rear motor mount. I have a pic of the mount on an old webpage I made;
http://members.troublecodes.ne...e.htm

Firing order

http://members.troublecodes.net/hond...cfireorder.gif

You might also pull the IAC off and clean the soot out of the screen, again Berrymans B-12 carb cleaner is good
Modified by hondadude at 10:45 AM 2/26/2007


Modified by hondadude at 10:47 AM 2/26/2007

Re: 1990 Honda Accord EX 2.2 Liter (hondadude)
 

Thanks, I'll take a look at it when I get off work. Where is the IAC located on this engine? (I'm not trying to sound stupid, I'm use to working on V8s and this engine is quite different than my truck's.)

I guess I can't post again till tomorrow. Something about only being allowed 5 posts in a 24 hour timeframe. So, i am editing this post to thank y'all for the help. I will definately take a look at all this tonight.

This stinks that I can' tpost any more posts. I looked in behind the engine during my lunch break. I see all the vacuum hoses and they all look hooked up, but I couldn't get down in there with my hand. How do you check those if you can't reach in there?

Modified by maddest_hatter at 9:40 AM 2/26/2007


Modified by maddest_hatter at 10:58 AM 2/26/2007


Modified by maddest_hatter at 3:47 PM 2/26/2007

Re: 1990 Honda Accord EX 2.2 Liter (maddest_hatter)
 

Looking at the intake (from the front of the car) the IAC (Idle air control) is right in the middle of the intake with small black cylinder poking out the side and a sensor that clips right in front....i belive it is two 10MM bolts and WA-LA clean the screen with Berrymans B-12 (per procedure described above by H-DUDE) and that should further improve the idle problem....

Right now im having a MAJOR idle surge from 800-2900 RPMs and throwing a code 14....which is my electronic idle control (I.E. - IAC)....and am in the process of cleaning mine right now....wont take long at all....hope it helps man

Re: 1990 Honda Accord EX 2.2 Liter (Grandhustleman86)
 

adding to the above just for assurance reasons can you clean the IAC with the B12 carb cleaner while it is still on the car....connected to the hoses????

FYI-92 dx

Re: 1990 Honda Accord EX 2.2 Liter (Grandhustleman86)
 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Grandhustleman86 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">adding to the above just for assurance reasons can you clean the IAC with the B12 carb cleaner while it is still on the car....connected to the hoses????
FYI-92 dx</TD></TR></TABLE>
I'm thinking you can leave the coolant hoses attached, and pull it back from the throttle body far enough to blast the screen with cleaner.
for the OP, this pic is for you.

http://members.troublecodes.net/hond...clocations.gif

Re: 1990 Honda Accord EX 2.2 Liter (hondadude)
 

I wont have to use compressed air at all will I....and I do understand it is a sensor so I dont want to spray a crap-load of b12 in it....right?

Re: 1990 Honda Accord EX 2.2 Liter (Grandhustleman86)
 

https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif for clairification

Re: 1990 Honda Accord EX 2.2 Liter (Grandhustleman86)
 

Ok... I just got her off the lift. I checked that thingy on the back firewall, it was hooked up and seemed to be working. Pulled the thingy off the intake and cleaned the screen. It's still idling rough. Not sure what to do now. I guess I just have to live with it and be thankful she runs.

Re: 1990 Honda Accord EX 2.2 Liter (maddest_hatter)
 

Honda-dude is awesome help....and george should be smacked....lol....but my issue is just prolly a bad IAC....used the b12 and didnt do much man....FYI its still throwing a code 14....so im goin to a HUGE PULL A PART salvage yard friday....gonna grab like 7 IAC's....lol....hopefuly 1 will work....


I hear my Cord's idle surge in my dreams like a nightmare!!! &lt;repost im real lazy


Hatter prolly a good idea just to grab a couple from a salvage yard and try it till one works....kinda hit and miss....i got 214,xxx on my engine and well if all i need to is replace my IAC im happy to do it!!!

Re: 1990 Honda Accord EX 2.2 Liter (Grandhustleman86)
 

I'll pull the air system apart tonight and take a look. I should just be grateful she runs, huh? LOL

Re: 1990 Honda Accord EX 2.2 Liter (maddest_hatter)
 

yeah man....im happy everyday when i open my front door and see my cord....if worse comes to worse just replace whats needed and get it over with....lol....but to be honest my surging idle is alot lower....since i cleaned my IAC

Re: 1990 Honda Accord EX 2.2 Liter (Grandhustleman86)
 

i do believe that engine may have a balance shaft which rotates kindof opposite the crankshaft. (like a harmonic balancer) Which is belt driven, behind timing belt cover. If that belt has slack in it, it will shake you to death.

Re: 1990 Honda Accord EX 2.2 Liter (foist1)
 

Well, since it is front wheel drive, it is going to be a challenge and a half to get to that part. But I will try. I haven't cleaned the air intake yet. But I will.