1976 - 1981 Honda Accord Carburetor Float Adjustment

The following information is from a Honda Service News Bulletin dated June 1981.  The procedure below describes how to adjust the floats with the carburetor on the vehicle without using any special tools (which are no longer available).

1. Start with a warm engine at the correct idle speed.  Remove the air cleaner housing.
   
   
2. Turn the primary float adjusting screw (actually you're turning the needle seat) counter-clockwise in steps of 1/8 turns; wait at least 15 seconds between each 1/8 turn to allow the fuel level to stabilize.  Keep doing this until the engine stalls (completely dies).
   
   NOTE: This is the most critical part of the procedure because it establishes the starting point for actually making the adjustment.  Don't turn any more than 1/8 at a time and wait a full 15 seconds before you turn again.
   
   
3. Then turn the adjusting screw in (clockwise) according to the chart below.  Repeat steps 2 and 3 to adjust the auxiliary float.

Make sure to put a new dab of yellow paint on each adjusting screw when you're done.  The paint keeps the screws from vibrating out of adjustment.
 

Author: W. Gregg Stefancik wstef@hubcap.clemson.edu
Updated: December 17, 2001