1987 Accord LX - idle speed checking and adjustment
 

Hi!

My 1987 Accord LX seems to have an idle speed problem.

The label on the underhood states that the fast idle speed should be
2500 +/- 500 rpm, and the idle speed should be 800 rpm.

I start the engine and the initial rpm reads 1750-1850. Then after a
minute or two when it starts warming up it goes up to 2500-2625 rpm,
which seems to be ok according to the label.

(BTW, my engine has a few oil leaks; I also noticed some smoke coming
up from the exhaust manifold area; not sure if it's old oil on the
surface of the engine burning up or if it's something else; anyway
when the engine warms up the smoke is gone.)

I have a couple of aftermarket manuals (Haynes & Chilton) and I read
somewhere in there that the carburetor choke should open up as the
engine warms up. I notice that the choke opens however it doesn't
open to a complete 90 degrees position (about 30-45 degrees is more
like it).

I recently replaced the PCV valve and hose going into the breather box
as well as the upside-down "U" hose connecting the PCV valve to the
intake manifold. I also replace the thermostat which was stuck open.
Now the car warms up faster.

The two fans came on approximately 12 minutes after startup. Then,
when the fans went off the engine rpm shot up to 3000-3100 rpm and it
wouldn't come down. At 13 minutes the two fans came on again and the
rpm held up there @ 3100. I depressed the accelerator pedal and the
rpm dropped to 2650-2750, but it never went lower than that. I turned
off the engine at 18 minutes.

The manuals talk about checking the choke and/or the fast idle
unloader. I haven't been able to find the unloader in order to test
it. (I'm not a mechanic; I'm just a regular guy who got tired of being
ripped-off by mechanics and wants to learn; I'm following the
instructions in my manuals and posting questions here and in other
forums. I you're a mechanic, please don't get upset with me as I'm
not generalizing and I'm sure there are many fine and honest mechanics
out there. It's just my luck that I've yet to run into one... ;)

Anyone has any clues, recommendations and/or comments?

Thanks!
MC