Honda CR-V Maintenance and Repair

mikefm58

The fact that they owned the vehicle for some amount of time and 3600 miles is worth something the dealer "could" try to negotiate. Isn't that what the dealer did with Sabrina, something like $2k?

 

I do agree with you though, it would not be a wise thing for the dealer to do.

stevedebi

I have a 2003 and have put 14.5 on mine before. The gauge gets to empty with about 2.5 gallons left in the tank, so I generally put in no more than 13 or so.

 

BTW, I'm getting about 22 in town, 25-26 on the highway. Careful acceleration in town, get the engine down to 1500 RPMs (which I achieve at about 30 MPH), and keep it there. Slow accleleration causes mine to use more gas. I keep the RPMs at about 2500 while accelerating, backing off the gas to make the engine upshift. I don't know how this will translate to the 2005 with the throttle by wire and 5 speed transmission (2003 has manual throttle and 4 speeds).

 

My mileage improved starting at about 2500 miles.

mapman1138

Hi Everybody!

 

I used to frequent the SUV forum a few years ago, but the wife's CR-V has been relatively trouble-free for a long time. Unfortunately it appears that that time may be coming to an end.

 

The vehicle: 2000 CR-V (EX 5-speed, though I don't think that that should matter)

 

Aforementioned wife complained that the windshield washer was no longer squirting very well. I checked the reservoir, and - astutely noting that it was empty - refilled it with the uncut blue stuff. No dice - still sprays poorly - like it has prostate trouble. Both jets just put a little trickle about 4 inches up onto the windshield - utterly useless.

 

So, we come to my question(s): Has anyone else encountered this issue? If so, is it a relatively easy job to replace the pump/motor? Roughly how much does the replacement unit cost? I've done just a little bit of searching and I can't find this issue mentioned anywhere.

varmint

Welcome back, Mapman. It has been a while.

 

Sorry, this is the first time I've seen a problem with washer motors. Have you tried unhooking the hoses and checking for a leak or kink? That sorta thing can run havoc with pressure.

isellhondas

Poke a straight pin through the nozzle outlets to see if they are plugged.

 

As far as things go, I think I would still consider your five year old CRV to be "relatively" trouble free!

ecotrklvr

I've had great luck with a little pressure cleaning. If you can get a bicycle pump, you're halfway there. I've used the kind that goes over the Schraeder valve, and then has a lever to lock onto it. This is the type you want. Under the hood, near the firewall, you'll find a hose junction, from where it comes from the washer, to where it hits a connector to go to both washers. Disconnect this single hose by just pulling it from the plastic connector - sometimes twisting the hose at the same time helps. Once it's free, pop it into the pump's connector, clamp down, and pump. I've cleared a few of them this way.

 

Hopefully, this is just a simple clogging. Unfortunately, washer motors go bad quickly if they're operated without fluid. The fluid actually cools the motor winding, and without fluid, they burn out fast. Good luck.

mapman1138

Hello again, and thanks for the replies so far. ecotrklvr has hit on my fear - that the wife tried using the washer while it was dry for a little too long. The nozzles seem clear, but I will be checking all of the hoses that I can get to this weekend. Fingers crossed!

 

And yes, isellhondas, four years and this is the first (minor but annoying in Chicago in February) issue. I'd call it trouble free, too. It's like every other Honda that I've owned (and the list is fairly long).

 

Side note: I've noticed that wife's musical tastes have caused another minor problem - she changes (preset) stations so often that she's worn off the numbers on most of the "1-6" preset buttons. She's the same way with the TV remote!

ecotrklvr

Let your wife know that there are many fine brands of decaffeinated coffee...

mapman1138

I think that its just a slightly short span of attention, even for a Modern American, but I'll pass the tip along anyway.

coudiebug

Thanks for the lead on the Internet Honda Care

warranties. My dilemma is quite simple; with a few thousand miles left on the original warranty, is it worth it to spend over a thousand dollars on the extended warranties?

Without having a crystal ball, I just need some data on the type of repairs other than the usual wear and tear items that the CRV encounters from 36,000 miles on. I am planning to keep my 2003 for some time hence the question. Any info would be helpful.

Thanks...MCS

jimscrv

I own a 2003 CRV/EX with 27K miles and have had this problem occur twice. While driving on the interstate at 70mph with cruise control on the engine just cuts off and the the car begins to deaccelerate. After pulling over and stopping, I start the car again all is well. I had been driving approx. 1 1/2 hours or more steadily when this happened on two different occaisions

mikev

crimdoc,

 

Thanks for replying. Yes, it is a cold climate - we just moved to Michigan! I didn't realize that would affect gas mileage. 26 mpg loaded with furniture... now THAT'S impressive! I will hope to be in your ballpark come spring.

 

Thanks again!

mikev

kyfdx,

 

I just checked the manual, and apparently this gas tank is 15.3 gallons. I'm not sure whether that's bigger than in previous years. Of course, now you have me wondering if maybe I didn't remember my gallons accurately when I got home. I will have to make a point of writing it down when I get back in the car.

 

Thanks!

hkjcrv

I've just filled the tank for the third time, and it's 278 miles/14.2 gallons = 19.57mpg. This is with 200 + of those 278 being purely hwy miles.

 

If I drive 278 miles on one tank in my 2004 CRV EX Auto, it is usually much better than 20 mpg. It's when I get down to about 225 miles or less on one tank that the gas mileage is around 20. I think your problem is that you are dividing by 14.2 gallons. Unless you are putting 14.2 gallons of gas into your car every fill up, you shouldn't be dividing by 14.2. Judging by the 278 miles on one tank, I think you gas mileage is significantly better than you think it is.

bobd8

Test drove a new CRV SE for my wife today-really liked that. But after reading all the PTTR problems, stalling, and fires, time out. Is the Toyota better? I did not buy the CRV yet, but the Forrester head gasket problem I read about scared me to the CRV. Help anyone?

mikev

Thanks for your reply.

 

I guess I am a bit confused by your response. If I filled my tank, reset the trip meter, drove 278 miles, and then to fill my tank again I had to put 14.2 gallons into the tank... can't I then say the car consumed 14.2 gallons to travel 278 miles? How else would you (or could you) calculate your mpg?

 

Thanks!

bodble2

I see nothing wrong with the way you're calculating it -- that's how I do it. Now, of course, you won't be bang on with the exact mpg calculation since sometimes you top it up a bit more, sometimes a bit less, but the discrepancy would be statistically insignificant.

borisswart

Just bought a new '05 SE, it's great. The only item I'm wondering about is that it doesn't have the fwd passenger under-seat storage box I remember looking at on an '04 EX. The 2005 Quick Start Guide shows the box on the Moonroof/Tables tab. Called the dealer - they didn't know.

 

Anyone have the storage box on their '05?

mikefm58

Read all the fora and you'll find something wrong with every vehicle. Check out the hesitation problems with a few of the Toyota models, like the Highlander.

mikev

My SE didn't have that box either. When I asked about it, I was told that the design had changed with '05, but the manuals had not been updated. If you find out something different... let us know! Enjoy your car.

isellhondas

bobd8,

 

If a person spends enough time in these forums they would probably abandon the thought of buying ANY brand of car and turn to public transportation.

 

I have ridden in and driven, literally DOZENS of 2005 CRVS and have yet to find one that pulls to the right. Our busy store has done hundreds and hundreds of oil changes without any fires. I have never, once seen a CRV stall.

 

In defense of my competition Subaru, I would guess the number of failed head gaskets is miniscule in relationship to the numbers sold.

 

It has to be remembered that these forums attact the few who have problems. Trouble is, they also create fear in current owners who will then look for problems in their own cars. They too, will suddenly hear the same rattle or feel the same pull to the right.

 

The vast majority of owners are very happy with their CRV. We sure love ours!

bobd8

I have always had Olds vans, and they were great- never had one problem with 3 of them. But buying a new different model and manufacturer, - well one likes to at least check a little - we all slave for our dollars.

 

You are correct though, sometimes no problem becomes a problems when one reads these forums.

kyfdx

Yes.. your way of measuring mileage is correct.. I'm guessing (I do that a lot) that you misread or forgot how many gallons you put in.. I ran my '02 below "E" on Friday, and still only got 11.7 gallons in.. And, mine also has a stated capacity of 15.3 gallons..

 

That said, your car is brand-new, and getting 19 MPG wouldn't bother me yet.. I'm just wondering if that is accurate..

 

regards,

kyfdx

borisswart

Thanks for the info on the stowage box.

  

As far as gas mileage, just filled up for the first time, with 217 miles on the odometer. Averaged 19.53 mpg in an even split of highway/city driving (our old Integra averaged 27-30 over the same routes). Am expecting to see fuel economy improve after the break-in period based on discussions above.

bobd8

any pulling to the right problems? Going to buy a new SE. Just wondering how you like it so far.

mapman1138

I had some time this weekend to play around with the CR-V, so I did. After just a few minutes of searching, I found a kink in the line right by the first clip under the hood - where the line comes up from the engine compartment, then makes a nearly 90 degree left hand turn on its way to the washer nozzles. I had missed it before because evidently it was twisting action - not bending - which caused the blockage.

 

I spent a few minutes making some adjustments to the line and massaging the kink out as best I could, and viola! the sprayers work as well as ever - maybe better. So I'm up to one minor problem in 4+ years of ownership.

 

Now I just gotta start softening up the wife and get her primed for an RD-X in a couple of years, assuming that the world doesn't fall apart before then.

mikev

I like it a lot. Very, very smart design. I haven't noticed that it pulls in any direction but forward! I was sorry to hear of an '05 that had caught fire. My hope was that Honda had figured out what was wrong and secretly fixed the problem -- without admitting any liability by announcing they had done so.

 

The SE is a very comfortable trim line. I think the hard-cover on the tire is silly, but my wife was crazy about the heated seats since we have moved to Michigan... and you can't have one without the other.

 

Our gas-mileage out of the box hasn't been great (about 20 at best), but I am hoping that it will improve as it "breaks in." Someone had mentioned that cold weather reduces efficiency, and it has certainly been cold.

 

So, overall, I am really pleased. If you have any specific questions, just ask.

rdw

Just got in my '05 CRV (bought 12/31) and all of a sudden, my windshield wipers would not work - and yes, I have used them before with no problem. Back wper still works fine - front wiper, could not even engage the washer fluid.

 

It's not even cold here today so they're not frozen. Not a great drive home in pouring rain on dark roads - thank goodness it was a short ride!

 

Anybody have any ideas for me? possible cures?

 

THANKS!

varmint

Any other electricals not working? It's a longshot, but the problem might be a fuse.

spc351

I own a 98 honda crv. It's been fantastic with one exception. At 90,000 highway miles I had a burnt valve. The dealer replaced the valve and now I am at 146,000. Yes, It happened again at 146k. I believe the valves may have been overtightened at the factory. Not sure but I also drive 80-85 mph. If you're going to get a crv, just be very sure to do your maintenence to prevent the problem. Also, you must replace the gear oil for the real time 4x4 around every 25,000 miles. You will hear a screeching sound when the 4x4 kicks in when it is needed but don't wait to hear it, just replace it before. Drain the fluid and replace with honda replacement oil only. Get an extended warranty for 100k miles on the drive train. Other than this problem, the vehicle has run absolutely perfect. Flawless. Everything else is in perfect condition. Electric, AC, RT 4x4, steering, alignment, cd player,etc. Hopefully the valve problem is corrected in the new models. I would definitely consider buying another. Hope this helps.

skimanic6

Our 99 is in the shop getting a valve job right now. I asked for the goodwill warranty and agreed to pay 50% of the cost. I'm not done with this yet because I feel Honda knows they have a problem and won't address it, (shame on them)... I let you know the total cost but if you have a 99 CR-V, check the valves and save yourself alot of heartache, don't listen to their 105000 miles before checking.

user777

try the washers with the hood open. perhaps a crimped line to the nozzles? have someone else listen for the motor in the washer resevoir when you activate them.

mikefm58

<< Drain the fluid and replace with honda replacement oil only >>

 

What's so great about Honda oil and what's the cost? Just curious here.

 

How often did you have the valves checked / adjusted? I've got a '99 CRV with 104K miles and have never had the valves looked at, but I will have it in the shop next week. I know I'm one of the lucky ones.

theracoon

<< Drain the fluid and replace with honda replacement oil only >>

  

What's so great about Honda oil and what's the cost? Just curious here.

 

Honda recommends Dual Pump Fluid for the rear differential. It's not a gear oil; it's a hydraulic fluid. And no, there's no known substitute. I've paid $35-$50 for the dealer to change the fluid. I have mine changed every 30,000 miles. I have the valves checked at the same time.

 

isellhondas

No, your aren't "lucky", your experience is typical. At 104,000 miles it probably woldn't be a bad idea to get those valves adjusted along with a new timing belt.

 

As I understand it, the people who have had valve problems are the ones who drive at sustained high speeds most of the time like one of the previous posters. Even then, it's after a while lot of miles. The majority of people have no problems.

mikefm58

Oops, my bad, thought he meant engine oil.

mikefm58

<< No, your aren't "lucky", your experience is typical. At 104,000 miles it probably woldn't be a bad idea to get those valves adjusted along with a new timing belt. >>

 

Yep, timing belt, water pump, acc. belts, seals, and valve adjustment. Should set me back about $650.....Ouch.

  

<< As I understand it, the people who have had valve problems are the ones who drive at sustained high speeds most of the time like one of the previous posters. Even then, it's after a while lot of miles. The majority of people have no problems. >>

 

Hmmm, most of my miles have been driving to and from work, 20 miles each way at highway speeds of 70 MPH, OK 70 MPH+, and I have 104K miles.

coley1

My 2000 CRV has been exhibiting a lot of front end noise when I crank the wheel to make a sharp turn. I have 44K miles on it and have never had any service issues. Any idea what might be causing this? and how to fix it?

Thanks for your help.

 

Linda

skimanic6

The valve problem has nothing to do with how you drive, my wife drives it most of the time with the kids and an Indy driver she isn't. We had all the matainance done up till this happened including the whole timing belt/water pump change (at 70000 miles), so its not lack of matainace. Honda says check them when they make noise or 105000 miles so when they come out of the factory if its out of adjustment you burn a valve. I don't think Honda would agree to pay for part of the repair on a car out of warranty unless they know something is wrong.

varmint

Are you sure it's not a rear end noise? And do you have an AWD model? I'd suggest you check up on the RT4WD fluid.

 

varmint, "Honda CR-V Owners: FAQ" #3, 22 Nov 2003 12:10 pm

isellhondas

Well, you can't really gripe too much. 650.00 isn't chicken feed but 104,000 miles is a lot of miles.

 

I can remember when valve jobs were a given thing when cars reached 50 or 60,000 miles.

 

Nobody griped back then because that's the way it was. At 104,000 miles most engines were totally worn out.

 

I guess we have progressed a bit since then!

stevengordon

We've discussed various bike rack options before, and these include spare tire mounted racks, roof racks, and hitch mounted racks.

 

I've got a Saris Bones trunk rack that served my Civic and Accord well. Shame to toss it out or sell it. I've seen plenty of minivans with a trunck rack turned vertically, coming off the top of their rear door, with legs that rest on the rear bumper.

 

The problem with the CR-V is that spare tire. However, if you removed the spare and threw it in the CR-V, then you're free of impediments. So a trunk rack might work.

 

Anyone do it this way?

ecotrklvr

I've really enjoyed the Thule Model 943 "Spare Me" rack I bought two years ago. It has an adapter ring that mounts to the studs of the rear tire mount, and is held on by the spare's wheel nuts (behind the wheel). Rather than explain, just see www.thuleracks.com/thule/product.asp?dept_id=22&sku=943

 

I've used it dozens of times; it's very strong and secure - and because it folds up when not in use, I leave it on most of the year. About the only downside it, once the adapter plate is mounted, the spare tire cover can't be put back on. But after 2 years of no cover, I'm happy to report that there's been almost no oxidation of the spare tire - and that's here in So Cal, with lots of sun on it.

stevengordon

Thanks for the info about the Spare Me rack. I read about it this past weekend, along with the SpareROC by Yakima.

 

Didn't know that the adapter would prevent the cover from going back on the spare tire.

 

I believe that the max weight on the Spare Me is 70 lbs. The Trek 820 I'm about to buy for my two kids would total 82 lbs.

 

If someone made a spare tire rack where the bottom legs were articulated so that they could rest on the rear bumper (thus relieving stress on the rear door), that might be a better solution.

theracoon

If someone made a spare tire rack where the bottom legs were articulated so that they could rest on the rear bumper (thus relieving stress on the rear door), that might be a better solution.

 

The bumper is plastic. Resting that amount of weight on it would probably deform it or even break it (especially in very cold weather).

 

mikefm58

" Well, you can't really gripe too much. 650.00 isn't chicken feed but 104,000 miles is a lot of miles "

Yep, 104K trouble free miles is great. I just need about 3 more years out of my CRV. Then the kids will be out of college and I can go buy my "mid-life crisis vehicle"......*grins*

coley1

Thanks for responding. I only hear the noise when I turn my wheels sharp. The guy that changed my oil told me I needed a new axle, but I wanted more information, which he seemed hesitant to supply. This is a 2000 Honda AWD with only 44K miles (95% is city driving). I appreciate any advice.

varmint

When you make a tight turn, the four tires each take a different path. For example, the front ones take the turn wider than the rear ones. Since they all take the same amount of time to complete their various arcs, the wheels are moving at different speeds.

When the wheels are moving at different speeds, the AWD system will kick in. (It thinks something is slipping.)

The AWD system (Honda calls it RT4WD) uses a hydraulic fluid in the rear axle. That fluid tends to wear out between 30,000 and 50,000 miles. Honda calls this fluid "dual pump fluid".

If RT4WD tries to engage, and the fluid has gone bad, it will make a grinding, or screeching noise. The fix is to have the fluid replaced.

ecotrklvr

Varmint is right about the RT4WD system at the rear of the vehicle - it can get noisy, and the noise from the rear can appear to be from the front.

That said, CR-V's are still driven by the front wheels, most of the time. And the Achille's heel of any FWD vehicle is the CV joint. This is the power-transmission piece that allows the front wheels to turn even as they are being powered. If one goes bad (due to a cracked or torn rubber boot, for example) it can go bad very fast and would need to be replaced. They do make noise when turning as well - more noise the more it's turned, and more noise the more power you give it thru the turn. Easy to diagnose, though - on a lift, you can typically see the lubricant being flung off the rubber boot on the front axle, near the center of the wheel. This is pretty rare on the CR-V, and the RT4WD noise isn't - but it could still be a bad CV joint. Replacing the axle with a new or re-manufactured on would fix it.

cffuts

A wee bit off topic, but I'm looking for feedback on the number of car seats in a new CRV.

Is there enough room in the back seat for two car seats and a 5 year old in the middle? This would only be short and infrequent trips.