This is my daily driver.. and the problem first started beginning of this winter.

The symptoms..

1. Engine takes almost 4 miles to heat up, and it never fully heats up to normal.
2. Engine idles fine when its cold, and fine when its hot, but I drive with two feet during warm-up because of stalling.
3. Running the heater smells up the interior of gas.

What I've already tried...

1. I've always kept track of my MPG. Since the problem started, it hasn't lost mileage, so I don't think its leaking gas or running rich.
2. I've replaced the thermostat twice with new, higher-temp thermos. No change.
3. I've endlessly played with the idle settings, no luck.
4. Checked the timing, bla bla bla etc... no change.

Whats already been suggested...

1. I was told that there's a valve that controls heat to the intake manifold, and if this valve gunks up, it could cause problems like mine. Does this sound right? There are like 10 miles of vaccume hoses and like 20 of those little round valves all over the place. Any idea which one it could be?

Any input would be greatly appreciated, talk about frustrating!

 

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1. Engine takes almost 4 miles to heat up, and it never fully heats up to normal.
2. Engine idles fine when its cold, and fine when its hot, but I drive with two feet during warm-up because of stalling.
3. Running the heater smells up the interior of gas.
>>>

1. you need to make sure that your gauge is accurate, is the engine really colder. Using an infrared thermometer is a good approach, otherwise a cooking thermometer can be a substitute.
3. you may have cracked or dried up line either at the carburetor vent bowl line of the around the charcoal canister.

Remember that in the winter month we are on oxygenated gas, and weird things happen, one is a leaner condition which older vehicle are more sensitive, especially carburetor as we do not have a feedback for idle speed adjustment of timing. And yes those carb cannot be adjusted to run richer.... the O2 sensor is supposedly taking care of that.

May be you can adjust the idle speed load setting so it runs higher with the headlight of fan speed at the 3rd setting. I am facing the same issues for the last few days, the idle has started to drop....

 

I'm pretty sure the temp gauge is accurate, as the heater used to work good, but now it takes forever before heat starts coming out, and even then like I said, gas smell.

I'll check for old cracked lines as you said though, would be nice if it was just something simple like that.

 

Also be very very careful when pulling those rubber hoses.... they are really tight and sometimes you end up breaking the plastic nipple.

I used a small, very small dull screwdriver to displace the end of the hose at the nipple and try to do a few "arc" of the circle. If you use pliers, you end up breaking the nipple.

Check the fitting at the fuel pump, one of them seems to always be wet.

 

Well, I checked all the lines and they look good, more importantly they were all dry as well. I smelled around the engine bay and the gas smell is surprisingly less intense around there.

Would replacing the 02 sensor be a worthwhile next thing to try?

 

Honestly, if the engine is running well, forget about messing up with other components.

Running cold... if the temp is in the 30's it may take a while to warm up. These engines are so well designed, that I had to check the temp with an infrared thermometer a few times because the fan is barely kicking in at idle while I was checking my 60miles of vacuum hoses.

You could try to put a piece of cardboard to obstruct part of the radiator. The big trucks have a cover over the grille, attach the cardboard or any suitable piece to the grille or in front of the radiator where it can be tucked, but cover only 1/3 of the radiator to start.

As for the gas smell, you may have a leak in the exhaust system and smelling that rich exhaust smell because the engine is running cold.

 

"As for the gas smell, you may have a leak in the exhaust system and smelling that rich exhaust smell because the engine is running cold."

I actually had brand new exhaust installed last summer, I can't remember how long the warranty for the work was, but probably still worth giving them a call.

Thanks for all the help letank.

 

De nada, even new work is not a guarantee of a leak. Sometimes a loose weld can pop out.
You can detect small leaks w a rubber hose, one end in your ear, the other along the exhaust, manifold .... I put a small piece of copper tubing at the detecting side so I do not burn the hose.... It is the best tool for exhaust manifold leaks.

 

I have a 1987 Honda CRX DX, carburetor, that we have cleaned and rebuild the carburetor, but we are not getting fuel to leave the float. So the venturi is not spraying.

I am just curious what the next steps in troubleshooting this would be. It starts, but as soon as the fuel runs out of the carburetor, it cuts off. So the carburetor is not getting more fuel.

Thank you in advance.