Honda Repair: 1989 Accord LXi Rough Idle/Shakes, haynes manual, park position


Question
I have an 89 Accord LXi with 129,000 miles on "her".  I have had the car for two years but over the last year and a half the car began to gradually idle rough when warmed up.  When the car is in the park position I can see shaking a little bit and the rev's bounce a little, not much, with the idle rev's around 750. When the transmission is engaged in drive or reverse the whole car shakes but only when the brakes are applied and the car is stopped. As  soon as the car accelerates and is at a higher speed the car drives fine.  When sitting at stop lights I feel like the car is going to shake apart. The revs still bounce a little. I don't know what the normal idle revs should be at because it doesn't say in any of my manuals and the VECI sticker under the hood was removed for repainting. I replaced the spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor, PCV valve,and air filter. The first shop I took it to said the motor mounts were fine except for the top torque strut(dog bone) mount bushings because it moved side to side and that it also could be the fuel injectors.  I replaced the bushing in the torque strut mount, the larger one showed rotting, but it still moves a little side-to-side, not as bad as before but there is still some play in it. I also replaced the fuel injector seals/rings because those were leaking. When I got the car only one of the fuel injectors were leaking and not much but now all were leaking. The car still shook. The second shop I took it to said the front motor mount, the hydralic one, and transmission mount are bad.  I have known the transmission mount located on passengers side was bad, as in split, but it was bad when I got the car.  The first shop just told me it was a bushing that didn't really matter and they couldn't get a replacement for it. I just ordered both mounts and am waiting for their arrival.Do you think that these new mounts will take care of the shaking? I have read in my Haynes manual to check the fuel filter, charcoal canister, and EGR valve. I don't know when the fuel filter was changed last. Could thses play a part in it? I dont want to spend any more money on it until I get a better idea of what the problem could be.  I still have to replace my CV joints and upper ball joints so I want to put my money where the problems are. Also, should I just buy the Honda Shop Manual if I plan on doing as much of the repairs as I can or can I get by with my Haynes manual?  Thanks for your time, I hope I didn't give too much info.

Answer
Michael, if the idle is fluctuating at idle I think it would be an ignition/fuel issue. Its hard to say without experiencing it for myself so I can't be sure about whether or not the mounts will clear your problem.  Also with the rough idle and the shake when brakes are applied it could be a vacuum leak(intake gasket, line etc.) Idle should be 700 RPM +/-50. Have you seen a HONDA dealer concerning this issue? A haynes manual is good enough for general repair but if not thorough enough for anything you may tackle which is a bit more detailed a HONDA manual will defenitely be more helpful. Good luck, RICK