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Honda: 1985 Honda Prelude Carbs, Honda carbs


Question
QUESTION: Gary:
You have already been too kind by putting up with my numerous emails to you. If I may prevail upon you once more, I have one more question.
Is there any way to drain the gas from the carbs and get to the floats to check them out without removing the carbs completely from the engine?
It is hard for my son to turn loose and come to my house and work on the carb problem at this time and though I am limited on what I can do, if I can drain old gas and get to the floats to examine them without taking the carbs off the engine,it will help matters. Thanking you again. Frank

ANSWER:  I have replaced the floats while the carbs were still on the car. I would never do it that way again, nor would I recommend it. It is much easier if you pull them off of the car first.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Gary:
My son is very busy at this time and I tried to find someone to put floats in the carbs of the 1985 Honda Prelude.
I talked to a local man this morning and he said under no circumstance would he undertake such a job. He called a friend who worked for Honda 15 years and has had his own small shop 12 years and he said the best thing I could do is find another car.
According to him there are too many vacuum hoses attached to that double carburator system and too many things can happen when taking the carbs off the vehicle and putting them back on.
I don't know whether it is all that hard to work on those carbs or whether he is just pulling my leg because he doesn't want to do the job.
You have worked on many of those carbs and you know... and I would appreciate your letting me know what is so hard about working on those carbs.
I have a lot of money and a lot of time tied up in that little car and would hate to junk it after all that. I would appreciate your opinion. I value what you say because you will tell me the straight of it. Thanks, Frank


Answer
I think the vacuum lines intimidate many technicians. They are truly not that difficult to work on. They are a bit tedious to remove due to the clearance between the air filter housing and firewall, but the carbs are simple to work on. A good motorcycle mechanic would consider this set up "easy".