Hi!! New member here...
I have a 88 Accord DX coupe (#856) with the carb engine and a 5 speed.
I first noticed this problem about two years ago at 159K;
I'd be driving along with no worries when I seem to lose power - especially noticeable on inclines. What I've discovered is that it seems to only occur at temperatures below 50 degrees with high humidity(I though it only occured at night since the first dozen or so times it occured it was at night, but here in the SF Bay Area we don't have many sub-50 degree days!). Usually, once it occurs I can limp home, turn off the car, and 15 minutes later it's OK. Recently I had it occur where I barely kept it going, and once I finally got to a parking lot off the freeway and shut it down the cat converter was VERY hot. Still, 20 minutes later it started, with some difficulty, and I returned home without any further issues. However, since that point my power isn't what it used to be even on relatively warm days.
I have a regular mechanic who says it's in the fuel system somewhere. He changed out BOTH fuel filters (the one under the hood and the one just off the gas tank), put some additive to clear the lines, and it appeared to go away. That was in July, though, and it never got cold until mid-November, where I started seeing it again.
My wife was with me on that really bad incident, and she recognized the issue (the "putt-putt" sound of the engine gave it away) from her old '77 Mustang II, and she ended up replacing the cat, the fuel lines and the gas tank.

My question is this: Since I still think it's a temperature issue, could it be something with either the carb or the vacuum pump, or associated hoses?

Otherwise, is there a diagnosis anyone could pass on??

Thanks!!

Larry

 

That sounds like what a bad hot air door diaphram will cause. Check it with a vacuum pump, it should hold vacuum. (It's on top of the air cleaners air horn.)