1988 Civic LX with automatic - questions

[jbiss]

I just bought a 1988 Honda Civic LX with an automatic transmission, 92,000 miles. I live in Idaho and is has still been with the low temperatures down to 20 degrees or so. My first question is about fast idle at start up. Is it normal at these temperatures to fast idle up to as much as 3000 rpm, I don't think it would be. What should I look at to resolve this. If I let it run for a minute at 3000 rpm then turn off and restart it idles at 1500 rpm or so until it warms up. Also sometimes, but not all the time, when it warms up it idle rough sitting at stop lights and such.

Also it is gutless. What can I do to give it some extra power at a low cost. I figured this weekend I would check the spark plugs, air filter, catalytic converter. I am also going to change out both cv shafts soon, they are both clicking when I turn.

Is there a downloadable manual for my 1988 civic anywhere?

Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jim

[4G4D Store]

Ya, I'd check the spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor on the distributor, air filter and make sure they are all clean and in good condition. It could be your idle is set too high, and I can't remember if there is a "choke" adjustment type thingy on our cars. But definitly check out those others.

[V-K]

Alot of people don't look at the fuel filter. I know the fuel filter in my car had never been replaced (got the car from my uncle, who purchased it brand new in 1990)
They're not that expensive, and are rather easy to replace. It's under the hood on the firewall on the passenger side of the car.