87 Civic DX 1.5 Carb - Acceleration problem

just bought an 87 civic in fair shape... kindof a beater but mechanically it's better than it is cosmetically.... except for a lurching problem during acceleration. It's not like I'm trying to race the thing but i'm no slouch either.

anyway, no matter what gear i'm in i'm experiencing a powerful lurching feeling during acceleration. The harder I push the rougher it gets. Sometimes it goes away but not for long.

I replaced the air filter and added some fuel system cleaner today. Changing spark plugs tomorrow morning with the hope that will help some.

any other suggestions? TIA!

maybe the fuel filter its cheap and its a start

changed spark plugs, air filter and antifreeze while I was at it... and looked all over for the freaking PCV valve with no luck. It's either not there or it's not where the service manual states it should be. The PCV filter in the box off the carb was a little gunky... can that be washed? or should I just get a new one?

A quick test drive reveals that the problem remains. fuel filter is next then... but i've never done one.. any special suggestions before I start? thanks in advance for helping the newb!

Harkjohnny: I believe the problem you are experiencing is due to air leaking past the thermal insulator at the bottom of the carburator. These have some special passages and when they get older the rubber gets to where it doesn't seal well and when you open the throttle it sucks in air, which leans the mixture, makes it run horrible and burns up spark plugs like match sticks. The "official" solution is to get a new insulator from Honda. However I fixed mine by taking the old one off, making a gasket out of 1/32 gasket material, for both sides of the insulator and then using a small amount of black RTV on the seams on the carburator and the intake, just before reassembling it. This seemed to fix this problem on my DX. Thanks, Gary

maybe the fuel filter its cheap and its a start


amazing! a freaking $4 piece of plastic and 1 hour of my saturday could make such a DRASTIC difference in the way this car drives!!

great suggestion. I also threw on a basic set of spark plug wires too. purring like a kitten and I couldn't be happier! thanks a ton.

cool to hear u got it runnin good ..