I have a 1988 Accord 2BRL, AT, w/AC, 130K... Timing was jumping around while trying to read it and had a terrible idle..... replaced timing belt, tensioner pully, rebuilt carb... Now, it runs great above 1K RPM, but will not Idle at all... I have checked for vaccum leaks (vaccum hoses and intake), checked compression, new plugs and distributor/rotor, re-checked carb adjustments... any thoughts on what to check next?

 

Try adjusting your idle

 

I set the idle screws on the carb to zero and followed the example for setting the idle in the Honda manual. I got the car to idle at 750RPM, but it surges to 900RPM and then back to 750... I checked the timing and it is correct... the strange thing is when I spray starting fluid or carb cleaner into the carb while it is running, the engine wants to stall, it does not increase the RPMS... Also, when the car is at idle, where does the gas feed from inside the primary barrell? Right now, the gas is coming out of the primary ventury when at idle...is this correct? FYI.. the motor revs smooth and downshifts fine when running, but there is hesitiation and low moan when you stomp on it.... Any suggestions on what to check next?

 

My sympathies, I too, suffered with, I think, very similar problems.

BTW find and service your PCV valve, but stay away from the stealer-ships - they make this into a $100 job. (it is difficult)

But in my case the idle was, at times, out of control.
Sometimes , so much so, that when the "idle" escalated to 2,800 rpm; shutdown was impossible due to dieseling (run-on)..
Then overheating would occur - Here I believe the timing was in an advanced state, causing the overheating.

Some sensor somewhere may have been causing this problem. The Honda Accord can be such a bear to work on in many aspects that we bought a new- to- us one and sold the old carburetored baby..

I'll bet there are men who have junked the carb and converted to fuel-injection ..

This was a warm to hot weather condition driving in traffic.

Cruising at any speed - no problem..
Wintertime operation - no trouble at all