Hey guys, recently got a 1990 accord from a moms friends for $500.

Came with a pretty clean body, decent paint, 128K miles, cold a/c, heat.

Seems to be a pretty decent car until!!! dun dun dunnnn.

Just recently ive been noticing some problems.

- once my cars pretty warmed up, (driving 15-20mins) the transmission ONLY wants to shift once it hits 3000 rpms, i could be in 2nd gear and be at 2800 rpms, but will only shift once it hits that 3k mark. Also, when im taking turns and accelerating from a slower speed, the trans seems to slip maybe?

- my car, when started, idles near 2000 rpms, until i drop it into drive where it goes down to about 1100 or so. Still high IMO. also i think it has a bad IACV because when in park, the idles fluctuate greatly.

- also, car hesitates from the get off sometimes, and hesitates even when driving 45-50mph or so. i can feel the car almost slightly bucking/nudging, as well as i can hear the sputtering it from a small exhaust leak i have.

All in all, it still drives well, doesnt over heat, just those few flaws, ive been looking into them but still unsure what to do.

I'll try to have a pic up soon, Thanks for the help!

 

I'd change the fluid, drain and fill, and check the throttle control cable going to the trans for proper adjustment and movement.

Clean and adjust the air boost valve, the IAC and the FITV. While there, a good cleaning of the tb won't hurt. Cold idle should be ~1500 rpm's and ilde once warm should be ~750 rpms. Once you are sure the other items are working and clean, then you might need to adjust the base idle.

What do you know about the maint items (cap, rotor, plugs, ect), are they up to date?

 

sounds like a Hell-of-a-Car ... and a deal on top.
Get those pics up; fix it and you'll have a long term winner, imo.