Honda: 86 Honda Civic Wagovan - choke problem?, Honda Civic cold start

Question
My 86 Honda Civic Wagovan has always had to warm up to run well, but its getting harder and harder to start, and sometimes cuts off while driving. I've tracked it down to the choke, it seems to stay open most of the time, when before, I had to stick a piece of wire in to hold it open to start on cold days. I accidentally left the wire in when I drove it once, and ever since, it hasn't worked the same. My question is, how do I fix it? Do I just have to replace it? Does that mean searching junk yards? Thanks!

Answer
It is most likely that you have more than one problem. The most common problem on this style carb. would be a leaking base plate. It is the rubber insulator that the carb is bolted to, then the insulator is bolted down on the intake. They are tend to last only 50k to 100k miles. You say the car has not run the same since you left a piece of wire in the choke blade? Where is it now? The choke unloader is a diaphragm that has two vacuum lines and a small rod attached to the choke. This diaphragm is controlled by a thermo-valve that is installed into a engine coolant passage. as the car warms up the thermo-valve applies more vacuum to the choke unloader diaphragm, in turn opening the choke blade. At the same time all of this is warming up the choke bi metallic spring is unwinding , help the choke blade to open.

On a different note, there is a good chance that the carb. float is sinking. If you look through the window in the side of this carb while the car is warm and at idle. The float/fuel level should be centered in the glass window. Also look for that float to be a deep brown or caramel color. If it is the float will very likely be permeated with fuel and sink.