1985 CRX HF: Should I rebuild Carburetor or Hondabond Rubber Insulator?

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Ascendedmind

New Member
Hi I just purchased a 1985 CRX HF with approx.125,000 miles. However, I immediately noticed the engine was idling too high at 1500 RPM when warm & at about 2,500 RPM when cold.

By using a carb cleaner I quickly discovered a vacuum leak around the rubber base plate where the three barrel carb attaches to.

Now should I pay someone to remove the carburetor to apply Hondabond together with the used rubber insulator to effectively stop the vacuum leak? Looks very intimidating &/or time consuming to remove.

What other vacuum leaks should I inspect for which typically cause the HF engine to idle excessively?

& What else typically fails in the three barrel carburetor that I should definitely replace while the carburetor is removed?

Should I pay someone to rebuild the three barrel carburetor, if I have no experience? (The only tutorial I would have access to, is The 1985 Honda CRX Service manual)


Any idea of approximately how long it should take to remove the carburetor & reseal the carburetor to the rubber insulator base with Hondabond?


I'm looking to extract the maximum MPG, so I'm keeping the Keihin 3 barrel carburetor...
 
You should rebuild the carburetor PROPERLY using the proper gaskets and seals. DO NOT use Hondabond on any torn diaphragms or gaskets, and don't cheap out and halfass a carburetor repair unless you're prepared to sit on the side of the road and watch your car burn to the ground.
 
You should rebuild the carburetor PROPERLY using the proper gaskets and seals. DO NOT use Hondabond on any torn diaphragms or gaskets, and don't cheap out and halfass a carburetor repair unless you're prepared to sit on the side of the road and watch your car burn to the ground.



What do you suggest I do if there is no insulator replacement? This is what others recommended doing. According to my research the rubber insulator &/or carburetor base is notorious for vacuum leaks. Sure enough after spraying with carburetor cleaner my suspicion was confirmed. Are you aware of any complete rebuild kits for these carbs?
 
Which part specifically are you referring to? Part of the carb or the gasket between the carb and manifold?

http://www.amazon.com/Royze-W0133-1619686-ROY-Carburetor-Repair-Kit/dp/compatibility-chart/B001HQBBPO


Thank you Civicious, I'm referring the carburetor base gasket aka carburetor insulator Honda Part#: 16211PE0661. The rubber gasket that mounts in between the carburetor & manifold. Does the Royze Carburetor Repair Kit contain this rubber gasket or alternative replacement? & is it complete? Please confirm, so I can let others know about this solution.

According to my sources, Honda Parts Dealers, Forums. Red Peeper Racing etc. nothing exists for this carb base gasket. As a solution some recommend http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-85420-Permashield-Resistant-Dressing/dp/B007VIGCJW/ref=cm_rdp_product (aka Hylomar) along with a reused carb base gasket, if salvageable. Then let it set-up for 24 hours to completely dry. This solution supposedly stops the problematic vacuum leaks coming from this area of the carb.
 
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Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh that.


Well, in that case, yep...I was totally wrong previously, clean it off really good and use the sealant. Don't use sealant on anything that holds fuel or is leaking fuel, though.

Otherwise, if you're pulling it off anyways might as well get that carb kit (Which does NOT include the piece you initially inquired about). Getting carbs rebuilt isn't that expensive, there are a few places you can mail them to to have them set up - a quick online search should point you in the right direction. However, if this is something you're willing to spend a bit of time on, and don't need it for a daily, rebuilding a carb can be a fun and educational DIY experience with the proper information and procedures - and there are plenty of information sources out there that can help.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/carburetor_honda_keihin.htm

http://mastertechmag.com/pdf/1988/01jan/198801IS_Keihin3Barrel.pdf
 
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh that.


Well, in that case, yep...I was totally wrong previously, clean it off really good and use the sealant. Don't use sealant on anything that holds fuel or is leaking fuel, though.

Otherwise, if you're pulling it off anyways might as well get that carb kit (Which does NOT include the piece you initially inquired about). Getting carbs rebuilt isn't that expensive, there are a few places you can mail them to to have them set up - a quick online search should point you in the right direction. However, if this is something you're willing to spend a bit of time on, and don't need it for a daily, rebuilding a carb can be a fun and educational DIY experience with the proper information and procedures - and there are plenty of information sources out there that can help.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/carburetor_honda_keihin.htm

http://mastertechmag.com/pdf/1988/01jan/198801IS_Keihin3Barrel.pdf

Thanks again Civicious! I really appreciate your guidance,
1. Does the Royze Carburetor Repair Kit contain the accelerator pump kit?
2. If no, what source do recommended, should I definitely replace this while I'm at it?
3. What source do you recommend for new floats? (The aftermarket floats made of molded nitrophyl (a foam-like plastic that can't leak because it is a solid material, unlike the OEM Honda design)
4. What source do you recommend for new power valve?
(the small brass thingy located in the bottom of the float bowl with the small pin sticking out.)
5. Do you know if the Honda Service manual for Honda CRX is useful for rebuilding the 3 barrel car?
 
I *believe* the Royze kit should include all of the things you asked about in the above post minus the floats.

Floats: http://www.redlinemotive.com/replacement/honda/carburetorfloatkit.asp

I honestly don't know about the service manual, BUT I happen to have one and I will look through it tomorrow and see what it's got!

Thank you very much civicious, I appreciate this, however it appears you can no longer order these floats as there is no order number or add to order links, verify this by visiting: http://www.redlinemotive.com/replacement/honda/carburetorfloatkit.asp


Btw here's a reliable source for all factory authorized service & owner information manuals, including all Honda CRX's for under $50, including P&H:

http://www.helminc.com/helm/product2.asp?Make=AHM&Model=CRX+&Year=1985&Category=1&class_2=AHM&mk=Honda&yr=1985&md=CRX&dt=Shop/Service+Information&module=&from=result&Style=helm&Sku=61SB202&itemtype=N


Any idea why Carburetor repair/service shops are intimidated by this carburetor? What I'm I missing? I know guys who claim they can fix or tune any carburetor, but when asked about this carburetor they totally dismiss it!
 
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I *believe* the Royze kit should include all of the things you asked about in the above post minus the floats.

Floats: http://www.redlinemotive.com/replacement/honda/carburetorfloatkit.asp

I honestly don't know about the service manual, BUT I happen to have one and I will look through it tomorrow and see what it's got!

civicious, did you see if the Honda service manual displays how to fix or rebuild the Keihin three barrel carburetor?
 
I personally say kill a billion vac lines and put a weber 32/36 on it and gain power
 
.... your NOT going to notice a economy difference, you will notice a power and throttle response difference when the engine can breathe and doesnt have 50 vacume lines you can kill and run a line to your vac advance and be done
 
.... your NOT going to notice a economy difference, you will notice a power and throttle response difference when the engine can breathe and doesnt have 50 vacume lines you can kill and run a line to your vac advance and be done


Correct, but I'm not looking to improve power & throttle response, if I wanted that, I would have simply bought the CRX SI Fuel injected version & be done with it. Make sense? I'm into the Stock MPG aspect of the HF & the webers were not tweaked for MPG, but for performance.
 
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