Vehicle is in the signature:

1. Engine valve area makes increasingly rapid ticking sound when accelerating? Is that normal?


2. When I give it throttle from a very slow speed [not sure of exact speed yet], the rpms jump up as if the kick down cable was engaged, and the vehicle wants to go faster, but if I am more deliberate and careful to accelerate more slowly, then the kick down thing does not happen. But keep in mind, that it does not take anywhere near what it takes to engage the kickdown function like it does on other brands of vehicles. So, in other words, this throttle kickdown cable thing is way too touchy. Is that normal?

 

your valves should be checked for their clearance. sounds like a valve lash issue. start there. no its only normal if you dont maintain your car...so it should not do that.
the trans thing is hard to say if you have an issue without me driving it. my accord will do it (kick down) if i floor it from almost any cruising speed. even if i semi lightly tap the throttle more to accelerate past a car. but it doesnt randomly kick down as if its touchy. i have the 91 accord LX so i also have the sport shift mode. my favorite button in the car i think LOL

 

Previous owner did almost no maintenance, if any, but only if a problem occurred. I got car with, dirty engine, filthy interior. Needed many small items cleaned, adjusted, fixed, replaced. Initially, I took the car to an Independent Honda tech who installed a T-Belt, water pump, front engine seals, and did a valve adjustment, and looked car over, and gave it back to me to start all the rest of work [took years to do it part time; but vehicle was not used at all until it was ready, about 6 months ago]. I feel the engine is dirty inside from no maintenance: carbon buildup in the cylinders, dirty valves, maybe sludge in the lower end. I started with the air induction system parts, including most of the egr system, but it still needs the egr ports cleaned, which I will get to asap. Can't do everything at once.

In the meantime, is there any slower chemical method I can use for cleaning the valves and getting the carbon and lacquer buildup off? I was thinking of quality Fuel Inj cleaners of various kinds, with every tankful, along with more frequent oil changes and internal engine cleaning until it is as clean as I can get it.

 

go to a honda dealer and have them clean the injectors with a good cleaner. this requires removing the fuel lines to the fuel rail and hooking up a special adapter which puts a flush cleaner through he injectors. they pinch the fuel lines closed, and open the valve on the adapter and start the car. the car runs off that can of cleaner they use. then they hook up the fuel lines again. i only know of the dealer doing this. most shops dont do this...including me at the moment