Hi, I own a 1988 Honda Accord, which has just survived a snapped cambelt. (I might add that it was last changed within it?s alloted mileage limit of 72k, so I was a little surprised it failed prematurely)
The car has always had a ?surging? problem during it?s warmup phase, during which time the revs have gone up and down between 1200-2000, but since the cambelt change, it is now happening during normal hot running.
I?ve checked all the hoses (I found one loose tiny hose), and the earth connection. I would be grateful if anyone has any ideas as to what may be causing the surging, especially following a cambelt change.
Thanks,
Paul
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Your best bet is to get yourself a free online workshop manual from honda or you may find yourself clutching at straws.You will do your head checking out this and that. Do a google search for Honda manuals. The manuals give a good fault finding procedure. You may find the haynes manuals easier to follow as a layman. Regarding the cambelt, it depends largely on what sort of driving the car has been subjected to and the advice from most people is to change it a bit earlier than the recommended limit, particularly if the vehicle is subjected to harsh use or even if the vehicle is not used very much. This is equally bad for the belt.Mikey.
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What you refer to as a surging problem, may not be a problem at all when the engine is warming up from cold. A lot of Hondas still had carburettors at this time. The engine should rev at the speed you mentioned due to the richer mixture.If your car has carbs the linkages on the choke controls get gummed up.You can lightly lubricate the pawls with wd40or carb cleaner spray. I'm sure someone else will come up with more ideas. Obviously something is getting stuck. My previous Honda prelude had the choke coming on even when the engine was warm. They managed to improve on this system on the later models.Mikey
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What engine is it. And is it fuel injection or carb?..At a guess possibly injection. Surging occurs when the mixture/co is a touch too rich/weak..Other possible is air leak? as I say a guess
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Was mech1
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UPDATE:
Thanks Mikey and mech1.
It's an injected engine. 1955cc 12v.
I am keen on the idea of an air leak, perhaps something that was disturbed when the belt was changed. I did find a tiny hose that was completely disconnected, but no other broken/missing ones (problem is that some huge airbox hoses are out of view underneath/at the back)
The update is that it is now pinking aswell. This car has never pinked in the past, only since I got the car back yesterday with it's new belt.
Any ideas what could cause it to pink aswell following a new belt?
Thanks
Paul
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Does your car have a vacuum advance? Indeed,does yours have a distrib? They get stuck.ie. the vacuum advance gets stuck/or air leak somewhere. Check dynamic timing to see that ignition advances ok. I suppose it is possible that timing belt has been fitted so that it is "one notch out" but dont worry about that at this stage. The most likeley explanation is that the engine is getting coked up slowly but surely. It is 1988 after all. If this is the reason for pinking you can put redex in the pots and leave over night. You won't be able to do this if you live in a town because of the smoke on start up.It is quite a messy business and a bit antisocial because of the resulting smoke. Obviously check your timing and mixture first, before anything else. Also check on the label in your petrol cap. Some Hondas of that era recommended super grade petrol believe it or not. Mikey
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Primary suspect has to be the cambelt is a tooth or two out. Check that first. Then check the throttle butterfly area is clean, wash it through with carb cleaner and an old toothbrush. Other point to check is the coolant level, too low will cause the fast idle unit to hang up too long waiting for hot water (as will a blocked coolant hose to the unit)which will trigger the ECU to start cutting the fuel as it is confused by the high idle speed(over-run fuel shutoff).
Good luck
Andrew
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Simplicate and add lightness!!
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Thanks everyone for your advice. As the fault has only developed since the belt change, I must assume that the belt is indeed one or two teeth out. I will revert to the garage on this basis.
Thanks again.
Paul
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