i have an 86 prelude with carbureted engine w/ auto transmission
when i start it up, the engine turns and starts but then the rev meter falls from 1000 back down to 0 and then stalls. only after about 5 mins of continuous key turns with a little gas here and there does it start up.

i'm a newbie with cars so i'm not sure what's wrong? is this a problem i can fix myself?

some of my friends say that the carburetor may be dirty so they told me to buy a carburetor/choke cleaner that you fill in your gas tank and it cleans while you drive? has anyone tried this?

any comments/suggestions would be much appreciated.

willbad