1987 Honda Inconsistent Start and Idle

1987 HONDA
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LIVIN_BY_GRACE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have recently had a tune-up cause the carburator was choking on my car as well as the oil pan replaced. My car has begun to have inconsitant starting trouble. Some days when starting it starts without out any problems. One day it would not start at all, but it was extremely cold out. Other days it starts and the RPMS run either high or low. And lately the car will to shake and idle extremely low upon starting (like it wants to die) and when this occurs, I have to hold the gas pedal down slighly for about 1 minute and then it will idle normally and be totally fine. Any ideas on what might be the problem?
Mar 16, 2006 at 12:23 PM
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VANDRAGON
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 298 POSTS
first i will ask, why was the oil pan replaced? it is at the bottom of the engine, did it have a leak or the drain pulg threads stripped. if you have to hold your foot on the gas until it starts running right, it's getting too much fuel. could be as simple as a dirty air filter, wrong spark plugs, weak engnition(or spark).....could have a spark plug wire off. go get it scanned for codes.
Mar 21, 2006 at 10:26 AM
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Suggested Repair

If the gas pedal must be held until the engine runs normally, it may be getting too much fuel. Check for a dirty air filter, wrong spark plugs, weak ignition, or a disconnected spark plug wire, and have the car scanned for codes. Also confirm why the oil pan was replaced, such as a leak or stripped drain-plug threads.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1987 Honda with about 158,000 miles reports inconsistent starting and idle after a tune-up for a choking carburetor and an oil-pan replacement. It sometimes starts normally, once failed to start in extreme cold, and can run at high or low RPM. Lately it shakes and idles very low until the gas pedal is held for about a minute, then idles normally. The expert said this suggests too much fuel and recommended checking the air filter, spark plugs, ignition, and plug wires, plus scanning for codes.

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