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Car Trouble

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Ideas posted: 3

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This problem has me stumped, so I am turning to the internet community in desperation.

[EDIT] The car is a 1989 Honda Accord LX [EDIT]

Three questions:

1) Why is it that the spark plugs have rattled themselves loose in their sockets on more than one occasion? I have never had this happen before in any other car and now it's happened twice in a month. It happened once so I replaced all of them thinking the threads might be messed up and then it happened to one of the new ones (I realize this might have been my fault the second time).

2) What is the best way to check over a carburated engine for vacuum leaks? Do I go over it with a spray bottle while it is running or what? It exhibits all the symptoms of a car that has a leak in some vacuum line (fluctuating idle, occasional stalling) but I also wonder if it could just be the carburator?

3) I believe the throttle cable is sticky as sometimes the car behaves as if cruise control is engaged when driving (when in neutral this becomes an obnoxiously high idle). Is there an easy way to fix this? What about throttle linkage? Any tips here?

There you have it. If anyone can solve these problems then I will be most grateful -- and don't bother telling me to go to a mechanic. Learning about this stuff is part of the fun, I just want to get this car back on the road quickly.

Thanks.

By the way, if you need to ask for more details just leave a comment and I'll edit this post to include the extra info, if I have it.

Category: Cars & Transportation

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Make, model and year will be helpful for a more detailed answer. (And will also help me give you the right answers to question 1 and 3.) Also, is the carburetor the older style with simple butterfly valves on it, or does it have a throttle body injection unit in the throat of the carb?

Jan 5, 2011

First: If the Cylinder Head(s) is Aluminum temperature changes will cause expansion/contraction, although usually never enough to cause plugs to come loose. My guess would be improper torque on installation.

Second: The water trick works pretty good, I usually use a Mechanics Stethescope and probe around. You can also use a piece of hose put up to your ear to listen for a hissing noise.

Third: First of all unhook the throttle cable from the linkage. Operate the linkage by hand (on the carb). If things are binding or butterfly valve is dirty you will feel it. Clean everything with carb cleaner.
Now the second half. Hold throttle cable housing in one hand and grab the end with pliers, operate cable by hand. If it is dried out, rusty, frayed or has foreign material stuck inside it will be obvious.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!

Jan 6, 2011

1) Sparks plugs will rattle loose if they are not correctly seated, which could be due to threading problems in the engine or the plug itself. They also need to be put in with the correct force to prevent loosening.
2) Whilst running you can use carb cleaner to spray over the fitting and pipes. If there is a leak then the cleaner will be drawn in and the engine idle will slow or stall.
3)There could be a problem with the Idle Control Valve which may need replacing.

Hope this helps

Jan 6, 2011

1) Be sure the plugs are not cross-threaded. If they are they will feel tight but won't be.

2) Vacuum line leaks are difficult to locate. Just change them all and be done with it.

3) WD40

Jan 6, 2011