I just bought a 1986 civic si with 208,000 miles for $500 yesterday.The car idles at about 1950 rpm's. This is the 1st honda i have owned. I am mechanically inclined. Can someone steer me in the right direction to remedy this high idle situation. The car runs fine and drives fine. Thank you for any help rendered.

 

check for vaccuum leaks. carburated cars have a crap load of vaccuum lines, any one of those being cracked or disconnected could cause a high idle.

 

Start by checking the Fast Idle Valve and Self Diagnosis System (see pictures below).

As an important reference source, a service manual for your Civic or a similar model can be downloaded here:

http://hondatech.info/downloads/Auto/Manuals/Civic/

 

Thanks Ronj for that advice. With that info it should be easy for me to repair the problem. I figure this car will bea blast to drive and work on. I am going today to buy a haynes or chilton manual, but they are nowhere near as beneficial as a factory service manual. I feel sure as i play around with this car I will have more questions to ask on this forum. Thanks again for your responses to help me.