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Honda Civic: Problems & Solutions
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Comments
1) Right rear trailing arm bushing is torn, and left is cracked, they recommended repairing both and performing a wheel alignment. Estimate: $595.
2) Battery failed load test, they recommended replacing the battery. Estimate: $109.95.
3) Oil pan gasket is leaking, they recommended replacement. Estimate: $310.
I wanted to know if these are common problems, if the estimates they gave were appropriate for the work to be done, and most importantly, if anybody knows any service shops in the area that are good. I live about 30 miles south of San Francisco in Palo Alto, but would be willing to drive up to San Francisco, or down to San Jose for good service.
I appreciate any recommendations.
I just recently change the tranny fluid with Honda fluid and, per another forum, I replaced the linear solenoid.
thanks in advance.
The pan gasket really depends on 1) how much it is leaking, which you can determine by placing some newspaper under the engine after you turn it off, and seeing how much oil leaked on the paper, keeping in mind that it "spreads" on paper AND 2) whether or not someone has gotten under there and LIGHTLY tightened the pan gasket bolts.
The bushings? Hard to say. I'd get a second opinion from a TRUSTED front end/alignment specialty shop, not a CHAIN store, but an independent who's been in business in your town for a while. Sometimes a crack or tear is nothing, sometimes it is a safety concern and sometimes it can go quite a while longer.
What was your solution? We have already replace the VSS. Any guidance at all would be greatly appreciated.
$109.95??? Man I'm in the wrong business. Take it to Wal-Mart, should be about $50 plus free installation.
" new radiator? timing ? maybe no tempature gauge? "
How about a new car?
Sure, your dealer wants to make a few bucks, but I found they also want to keep their customers happy, because that means repeat business and future product sales. It also means no angry customers a month later coming in on a tow truck for a dead battery. Personally, I think you have a good dealer. Pay to get this done while it still starts.
As for the rest, you be the judge. Oil on the ground is a dead giveaway you've got a problem. Make sure to keep an eye on your oil level. If the engine is not losing any oil and the leak is extremely minor, you can let it go for awhile. As for the bushing, I'd be more concerned about that. Bad signs are usually uneven tire wear, vibrations, or the vehicle doesn't "ride" like it used to. Then again, it could minor and last a good deal longer.
If your past experiences with this dealer have been impeccable and you can afford to have the work done, then by all means go for it. But get the battery replaced no matter what else you decide about the other work.
As for the HOST'S newspaper recommendation, I'd avoid it. It's a fire hazard. One gust of wind causing the newpaper to touch anything close to a HOT exhaust or for whatever reason causing the newspaper to attach itself to the vehicle is asking for trouble.
If the fan is working properly, you might replace the thermostat (probably all gunked up anyway), and if those two things dont' do it you have to dig deeper and pull out the radiator and have it cleaned out. It's probably a mess.
If you see WHITE smoke coming out of the exhaust, like steam, then you have a bad head gasket and that sounds like the end of this car. But if not, you might be able to save it doing the other things I mentioned.
Thanks for any help offered.
I hope you didn't pay more than $25 for the car, because this is what a junk yard will give you for it.
Did you check al those items prior to buying? Or did you just hand over the money and took the car? It sounds like something a 16 year old would do.
I agree with blueiedgod's post. Contact Honda corporate.
http://motormitedormancatalog.com/item.wws?sku=674-439&mfr=Dorman (OE Solutions)&cooki- - eID=1LX0CPY4G1LX0CQNJS&drillid=12&clientid=motormitedorman&clientid=motormitedorman
Help,
Dan in PA
:sick:
I'm not thinking that this has to do with the problem I am having now, but wanted to give the back story.
Because of all of that and the rough running I changed all plugs, wires, rotor and distributor cap. It has been running very well for the last three months.
A couple of weeks ago I drove about 250 miles round trip and before I filled up I decided to put in a bottle of STP injector cleaner since I would be going through a tank of gas.
I was worried about driving it because of the mileage and recent problems, but the vehicle performed great. After I got home and the tank got close to empty, I noticed a little bucking at a stop sign on my way to put in more fuel.
Assuming a "hiccup" with the car I drove it to my fathers and on the way there it got progressively worse. I would have to throw it into neutral at stop sighs and really give it the gas on take off to keep it from "bottoming out" on takeoff. It would lose major power on hills
I have replaced the fuel filter and plugs and wires again assuming maybe one of the recent repairs or the fuel injector cleaner may have been involved. I've disconnected the fuel line and the fuel pump seems to have no problem with it's initial "ignition on" squirts of fuel.
The weird thing is in the morning I can start it and it seems to run and idle ok for a few blocks and then starts to sputter at idle, and die under transmission load. This is consistent. I can drive around the block a couple of times and it appears to have cleared (got me into trouble taking it to work on one day) and then start bucking, almost like it has to do with engine heating up, or pressures building.
I still can't figure out fuel or fire as the cause though. Some are recommending fuel pump but I'd hate to drop the tank and put out the expense for something that may not fix it. Any best guess cheap things to try first would be appreciated.
FYI - i removed the plugs to inspect them and they appear fine with a light tan burn and no fouling.
Any help appreciated. I'd love to fix this without having to replace half the vehicle components. Hehe
If the Civic has less than 80K miles, the manifold is still covered under the 8 tear/80,000 mile warranty, and should be covered. IF you are over the miles, try the online parts dealers, such as:
Site sponsor HandA They are on the west coast.
On the east coast, Northeast particularly, try Fair Honda in Danbury, CT
Neither has the parts you are looking for listed on the site, but give them a call.
I'm thinking of purchasing a new Civic now. What are people's experiences with the paint durability of recent year model Honda's? Does anyone know whether Honda is still using the same types of paint & finishing processes as they were 5 years ago?
Thermal Research makes a nice catback exhaust for the civic's. I used to have one on my 97 civic ex coupe.. The sound on the thermal is nice.
I have a 1997 Civic DX 2-door coupe with almost 49,000 miles on it. I had been scheduling maintainence based on mileage but now I'm driving it so little (5 miles/day) that I think I'll have to do it based on time.
Got the full Honda 30,000 mile service and oil changes every 5,000 from then. I think it's probably time for a big service, including changing the timing belt. What would you recommmend I have done? e.g. I have seen some people say that if you are getting a timing belt replaced, you should get the water pump replaced too.
Also, my dealer quoted me $620 for the timing belt alone. Does that sound reasonable? Should I try an independent garage?
I plan to keep the car for about 2 more years.
Thanks!
My Honda Civic EX coupe is also a '98. Had it seen Sept. '97 and don't have your three problems. Costco can sell you the same kind of battery for about $45.
Gee your car is a cream puff from a mileage point of view. The only degradation you are probably experience is from LACK of use. (battery gives up the ghost due to discharge, due to non use, etc.
Unless you torture your car while it is sitting, I would get the 100k timing belt and water pump change at that mileage interval. Dealerships offer specials at 425-550 and some independents I have checked out in great detail, charge 550. Given your time and mileage frame this is utterly a non issue for you.
Can anyone recommend a changer that can be plugged with minimal wiring. I'm trying to avoid having to rip out the stock radio to install a CD changer and be able to control the changer through the radio rather than the extra control panel that goes on the dash. I'm hoping there is a changer model out there that is compatible with the pre-existing wiring in this car. Any info is much appreciated. Thanks.
If you check the NHSTA (or whatever its initials), which I did once, you'll see a listing of recalls and non-recalls for the Honda Civic. I think the window binding problem is listed, but as a non-warranty problem.
Without seeing your vehicle, how can you expect anyone on this forum to diagnose specifically why your Maintenance Required Light came on? You must take your vehicle to a qualified mechanic who has the electronic tool to read the computer codes.
If your vehicle is new (even if not new, but "new to you") and you are unfamiliar with the concept of periodic maintenance or the significance of other dashboard indicators, you might want to open the owner's manual and read it. Doing so can help you learn a lot, and in the process save a lot of money: preparing you to detect possible problems and helping you avoid others during your car ownership.
The Maintenance Required Light is different from the Check Engine Light.
If your vehicle is used, and there is no owner's manual, I'd contact Honda to purchase one, or see if I could purchase one online from someone. Its a document worth every penny to replace it (several times over) if you don't have one.
however, have you ever changed your PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventillation) valve? it's pretty inexpensive to replace (some people even clean and re-install theirs), and if stuck, can contribute to oil consumption.
do a google search on:
+PCV +"oil consumption"
that's where i'd start.
Worst case: brake pads and rotors are far cheaper than a manual or automatic transmission.
I just bought a 05 Civic LX and took it home and noticed that there is no DOOR OPEN/AJAR dash board indicator . Also there is no warning if the passenger side seatbelt is off. Any idea if this is standard for the model? This looks like a safety hazard if there is no warning when the door is open. Haven't seen a car without it which I think is a standard safety feature in all recent cars.. The car does not have an alarm installed if that has anything to do with it. I am feeling really bad about this. Wonder if there is any way possible I can "return" the car and get the money back. I financed it.Except for these problems the car is great.
TIA for the inputs and suggestions.
Thanks!