1985 Honda Accord (manufactured in Japan) 4-door sedan "S" (Standard) with 132,000 miles, a 1.8 liter carbureted engine ("Low Altitude (49 ST)" Emission Group), and a 4-speed automatic transmission starts normally but immediately wants to die unless the accelerator pedal is vigorously pumped. Even then, keeping it running for any length of time is extremely difficult. Although happening more often than not at this point, the problem is still intermittent (it occasionally starts and runs normally). It has an automatic choke which appears to be functioning properly (the choke plate is closed when the engine is cold, and it slowly opens as the engine warms up). The air filter, distributor cap/rotor and fuel filter were replaced just recently. Any and all ideas would be welcome. Thank you....

 

well, a fuel delivery problem in a rare car.
carb rebuild, carb cleaner chemicals into fuel, or fuel pump not giving reliable pressure would be my common guess.

Nobody chipped in for 2 days... Wish I could be specific in helping you - Luck.

 

It sounds like a carb issue, but what? I have no clue. It's also so old that IDK if a Honda dealer could help you out (being able to order you one).

 

If you have to pump the gas pedal to keep it running that indicates a fuel delivery issue. Does it sputter? There are two fuel filters, one at the fuel pump and one in the engine compartment. Your symptoms remind me of a clogged fuel filter. Gunk in a fuel filter will collect on the bottom and when you start the car it instantly rises and clogs the filter. That would be why you start it then it dies and why you have to pump the gas pedal to keep it running.

 

My 85 is doing the same thing it won't stay running only in the mornings but will run great and normal later on in the day and I can only get it to stay running if I rapidly press the gas pedal to, I've replaced pump and both filters and wired the choke flap open and still having this issue

 

Does it stay running when you put a rag over the carb? Is the fuel level normal on the carb. Carb has a sight glass. Does it have an engine miss? The gas filler used to go bad on these and cause carb problems. Honda made a kit that you do the carb on the car. Is the carb loose?
'

 

I'd suppose that you have checked the fuel relay which is situated inside the car just over the steering column. And I'm going to suppose you checked the fuel pump or any other thing that could be a mechanical issue. So to speak. Well here's something that is rarely discussed which could be your problem. In the engine compartment on the passenger side there is supposed to be a heavy duty wire that connects from the engine to the fire wall. And if that ever becomes loose or unconnected that will surely cause the issues that you are having.. Either that or you have a bad coil. But I would bet it's the ground wire.

 

have you tried removing the idle solenoid located on the back of the carb 8 mm bolt, get a can of carb cleaner with hose attachment, blow into the hole if you can get access to air hose blow through it with air as well