88 honda accord

greenjama · 09-02-2007, 01:30 PM

i have ann 88 honda accord that was recently overheated. its not getting a whole lot of compression but thats not really my concern. I having a fuel problem. it seems that it is getting gas to the carb but from there it vanishes into thin air. does anyone out there have any idea why it would be doing this. I get gas to the carb but none to the cylinders and if i pull the intake off its dry and if i pull the plugs out they are dry. someone please explain this

**manic** · 09-02-2007, 03:35 PM

How hot did it get and for how long? You may have warped a head.
You said you arent getting much compression, how much. Or little.
Check your oil dipstick, see if it looks cloudy, whitish, smell it, does
it smell gassy, or does the stick show overfull?

**qldit** · 09-02-2007, 04:21 PM

Good Morning greenjama, your description could mean that the carb float valve is not opening or blocked or if that machine has a fuel pressure control arrangement it could be returning fuel back to the tank.

Remember that a carb uses engine vacuum to suck fuel through the venturi arrangement, so low compression also relates to low "suckability" effect, starting problems and significant power loss.
This can also be exacerbated if there is any intake manifold leakage.

Does the engine start if you pour fuel (ten CC's or so) directly down the carb throat with the throttle window open?

I hate seeing those little beasts overheat!

As manic suggests it commonly causes head gasket problems.

Cheers, qldit.

greenjama · 09-02-2007, 05:45 PM

no it doesnt start at all but it turns over. was a mechanic for 10 yrs and i cant figure this out

**qldit** · 09-02-2007, 09:37 PM

Good Afternoon greenjama, sounds like a compression test might tell you something, you might also check 1 or 4 inlet / outlet valves are rocking at perfect TDC, some of those engines tend to lose perfect valve timing.

If you manually pour some fuel into it I would expect it to at least start!

Sounds like you may have a slightly bigger problem and it is being cantankerous.

Is that a 4 valve single OHC engine?

Sometimes I start cranky engines with a shot of ether rather than normal fuel.

You could try giving each cylinder a shot of engine oil (teaspoon or so) down the plugholes to improve the compression start ability.

Have you checked the engine electrical spark timing?

The thing should at least start if not keep running.

At least make smoke an pops!! LOL!!

If you can manage to get it to start, ensure the top of the carb is clear and slam your hand over it to seal the throat entirely, that should suck any crud out of the jets and with luck allow normality.
I hate dismantling some of those carbs, they can be a real pain!

I am glad it is you and not me with that machine!

Low compression in them is generally exhaust valves and bits for them are expensive here!

Best of luck old chap,

Cheers, qldit.

ozplanet · 09-04-2007, 01:47 PM

Open the carb and check the floats, how did you confirm you are getting fuel into the carb ? Just because the fuel is at the line does not mean it is in the carb. Maybe the needle valve is jammed.

09-02-2007, 01:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
greenjama Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 3 OS: xp	88 honda accord i have ann 88 honda accord that was recently overheated. its not getting a whole lot of compression but thats not really my concern. I having a fuel problem. it seems that it is getting gas to the carb but from there it vanishes into thin air. does anyone out there have any idea why it would be doing this. I get gas to the carb but none to the cylinders and if i pull the intake off its dry and if i pull the plugs out they are dry. someone please explain this

09-02-2007, 03:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
manic Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 5,246 OS: xp	Re: 88 honda accord How hot did it get and for how long? You may have warped a head. You said you arent getting much compression, how much. Or little. Check your oil dipstick, see if it looks cloudy, whitish, smell it, does it smell gassy, or does the stick show overfull? __________________

09-02-2007, 04:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
qldit TSF Gearhead Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane Australia. Posts: 592 OS: All Systems, mainly Linux	Re: 88 honda accord Good Morning greenjama, your description could mean that the carb float valve is not opening or blocked or if that machine has a fuel pressure control arrangement it could be returning fuel back to the tank. Remember that a carb uses engine vacuum to suck fuel through the venturi arrangement, so low compression also relates to low "suckability" effect, starting problems and significant power loss. This can also be exacerbated if there is any intake manifold leakage. Does the engine start if you pour fuel (ten CC's or so) directly down the carb throat with the throttle window open? I hate seeing those little beasts overheat! As manic suggests it commonly causes head gasket problems. Cheers, qldit.

09-02-2007, 05:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
greenjama Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Re: 88 honda accord no it doesnt start at all but it turns over. was a mechanic for 10 yrs and i cant figure this out

09-02-2007, 09:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
qldit TSF Gearhead Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane Australia. Posts: 592 OS: All Systems, mainly Linux	Re: 88 honda accord Good Afternoon greenjama, sounds like a compression test might tell you something, you might also check 1 or 4 inlet / outlet valves are rocking at perfect TDC, some of those engines tend to lose perfect valve timing. If you manually pour some fuel into it I would expect it to at least start! Sounds like you may have a slightly bigger problem and it is being cantankerous. Is that a 4 valve single OHC engine? Sometimes I start cranky engines with a shot of ether rather than normal fuel. You could try giving each cylinder a shot of engine oil (teaspoon or so) down the plugholes to improve the compression start ability. Have you checked the engine electrical spark timing? The thing should at least start if not keep running. At least make smoke an pops!! LOL!! If you can manage to get it to start, ensure the top of the carb is clear and slam your hand over it to seal the throat entirely, that should suck any crud out of the jets and with luck allow normality. I hate dismantling some of those carbs, they can be a real pain! I am glad it is you and not me with that machine! Low compression in them is generally exhaust valves and bits for them are expensive here! Best of luck old chap, Cheers, qldit.

09-04-2007, 01:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
ozplanet Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 20 OS: 94 Dodge Ram	Re: 88 honda accord Open the carb and check the floats, how did you confirm you are getting fuel into the carb ? Just because the fuel is at the line does not mean it is in the carb. Maybe the needle valve is jammed.