Honda Civic Si/SiR Maintenance and Repair

245

Comments

  • theracoontheracoon Member Posts: 666
    On mileage and speed from the EPA.gov website:

    image
    Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.10 per gallon for gas.

    On higher octane fuel from the EPA.gov website:

    Unless your car needs high-octane gasoline, use of "premium" will not improve performance or emissions - it will just cost you more.
  • dfbidwelldfbidwell Member Posts: 21
    I get an average of 30.2 MPG. I have had a couple of tanks that get 32 MPG and I've had some that are around 27 MPG. I guess it all depends on how much you flog your car. I too use premium fuel but only because I get engine knocking if I use regular or plus octane. Bummer. I noticed no difference in mileage when switching between regular and premium fuel. I currently have ~12,300 miles and have noticed no mileage difference since the day I bought it.
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    My gas mileage seems better when I use premium but the engine has never knocked regardless of the grade of fuel I use. Are you in the NE, Mid-west?
  • dfbidwelldfbidwell Member Posts: 21
    I'm in Virginia. I don't know if I'd call that Northeast but it could be. I think I know where you're going with this. Do they add something to the fuel this time of year to help pollution?
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    I know they do in some areas especially in the Chicago area but not sure about Virginia thought.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Radio for Civic Si is on national backorder. My radio had problem that when the car was driven for two or more hours at one time it would no longer receive any FM stations. Only static.
    Due to an unexpected number of problems with the radio in the Si demand for replacement radios has greatly exceeded supply. And that is saying something considering the small number of Si sold.
    Thankfully the Honda dealership service department is very good, unfortunately my Si has more problems in 4,500 miles than my VW TDI had in 25,000 miles.
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    Haven't had a problem with my stereo yet. Took it on a 8 hour each way road trip a few months back and it worked fine. No other problems to report either.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    It is rude to post "I don't have any problems with mine" every time someone has an issue with their Honda. Does nothing to solve my problem and is behavoir like a kid with an ice cream cone taunting other kids without cones "I have ice cream and you don't". Frustrating enough to have problems with a new car in the first place.
    I have no problems at all with my emergency brake but you did not see me posting this after your car ran into a mailbox did you?
    Can you not say anything constructive?
    What is your point? Are you trying to say that because your car has no problems that my Si problems are less valid? Give me break!
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    So you are telling me that if someone says they have a problem I can't say that my vehicle does not have that particular problem? That doesn't make much sense, and if that were the case all you would have on Edmunds is a bunch of complaints. Would be a kind of depressing place. And I am not trying to say that your complaints are invalid, I am simply saying that my car has not been affected by the same problems so it is not typical of the car, or at least not mine.

    Also, there is no "problem" with the emergency brake itself. The car wasn't in gear. The owner's manual says you must put it in gear, especially on inclines. We didn't. The brake could be stronger but anyone who drives a 5-speed knows the correct procedure is to put it in gear. I will admit in my other cars 9 times out of 10 having the emergency brake up would've been enough but in this car it isn't. If it happens again I have nobody to blame but myself. Now if it rolls with the brake all the way up and the car in gear, then there is a problem.

    I'm sorry you seem to have gotten a bad apple but that doesn't mean there are those of us who don't have problems. And we have just as much right to post our lack of problems as you do your abundance of problems.
  • rivertownrivertown Member Posts: 928
    Anony's a Honda defender, prob a Honda salesperson. Even a legit prob with a Honda is like a red flag with a bull. It may be a little irritating, but what the hey - nobody's perfect. Besides, she's smart as a whip about most stuff and really offers help and info.

    Mopar's had real probs with his Si. For Mopar, that sucks. His sharing 'em with us helps us a huge amount; we get a lead on a prob before having to learn by experience. If I have radio probs, I'm less likely to feel jacked around if there's a delay in replacement. Very cool.

    Based on our discussion here, I actually tried my e-brake today while moving. It's a weak excuse for an emergency brake. Would I like to see a fix and a recall? Yep! Would I have liked to have found out about my weak sister e-brake in a real emergency? NOPE! Am I gonna park in a nose-in parking spot with a steep slope? No way!

    Let's be nice, now. I think we're all very cool!
  • muffin_manmuffin_man Member Posts: 865
    I agree, the tone of that post was a little bit obnoxious. That said, I haven't had any problems with my Si so far, knock on wood. (7000 miles)
  • debs4debs4 Member Posts: 7
    Now it's been in the shop 4 times in less than a month and they don't know what's wrong with it.

    It started one morning in early January with the ABS light coming on which would in turn shut the stereo off, dim the dash lights, and all the gauges would go down to nothing. When I went to leave work that evening, the car wouldn't start. I took it into the dealership and they replaced the battery. This happened again about 2 weeks later, I took it in and they couldn't find anything wrong so they did nothing. A week later, I had the same problem, took it in again...this time they replaced the alternator. Then the day after getting the car back, it happened AGAIN! My car has been at the dealership since Tuesday evening and they've been poking around trying to find something. They've removed the seats and have cleaned, tightened, and lubricated the body grounds and they're going to try some more things today. It's all very frustrating.

    Has anyone had or heard of someone having similar problems with their car? Mine is a 2002 Civic Si Veloz. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

    Thanks!
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    The radio that was on national backorder arrived and was replaced today. I'm happy now. It even sounds better than before and it should work on trips now.
    No problems with my Si now and hopefully it stays that way. I'm thinking about tinting the windows and maybe some 17" wheels. The weather is somewhat warm today and I was able to use the sunroof. Very nice.
  • rivertownrivertown Member Posts: 928
    Very Cool! I'm glad for you! Probs at the start are a real bummer, but it doesn't mean the whole thing is.
    LOL, I'm thinking abut a FORD disabled for nearly weeks, a week after I bought it, that turned into a joy. And, that was a FORD! LOL!
    Whatever, I'm glad the itches are scratched!
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    We will be putting another 1000 miles or so on our SI this weekend. That will put us at 12,000 miles in only 7 months. So far the car has been great. Had one rattle that we traced to the wires underneath the steering column. Some zip tie solved that. Otherwise the car is flawless.
  • rivertownrivertown Member Posts: 928
    Geez, my typing above was terrible. Sorry, but you get my point. ;~}
  • hogsihogsi Member Posts: 2
    Anyone have a noisy bearing somewhere on their main belt?
  • liss3liss3 Member Posts: 1
    I just got this 02 si, and was driving home one night. I saw the light turn red so I put it in neutral and put on the brakes. This winding noise came up through the center console and vibrated the entire cockpit, it felt like something in the engine was moving while I was standing still. Please advise.
  • aaronpanaaronpan Member Posts: 26
    To all,
    I'm a new Si owner here.
    I am wondering if any of you have had factory recalls serviced? I just found this http://www.alldata.com/TSB/24/022451AP.html
    Please share your comments if you had your Si serviced for recalls.
  • dudkadudka Member Posts: 451
    I had a share of growing pains with my Si. Mine is 2002, one fo the first made. I bought her in january 2003 as a left over 2002 model.
    I had:
    1) center vent replaced
    2) drivers window regulator and weather seal
    3) passnger window regulator and weather seal
    4) driver's side interior door handle snapped
    5) passenger side door handle snapped
    6) took three attempts to fix water collecting in the spare tire well
    7) excessive oil consumtion, which has subsided to 0.5 quarts every 1000 miles from original 1.5 quarts every 1000 miles.
    8) clear coat peeled and the car has been repainted with clear coat.
    9) Brake rotors were resurfaced at 7500 miles
    So far I have had a good run since september where nothing needed to be done. Although yesterday I heard a loud snap and metallic bang under the car when driving on somewhat bumpy road. Car is scheduled to go in tomorrow rof regular maintenance. I suspect that sway bar either snapped or dislocated as the handling has diminished somewhat.
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    Gee dudka, I was beginning to think that all Si's were perfect like Gee35's.
    My Si had the following problems before I sold it;
    1. Repeated CEL due to faulty emissions equipment that required replacement.
    2. Clearcoat peeling on the front hood and bumper.
    3. Defective radio required replacement.
    4. Front end vibration. Never solved.
    5. Carpet in front passenger footwell installed poorly.
    6. Uneven gaps in dash area from less than stellar assembly.
  • aaronpanaaronpan Member Posts: 26
    dudka,
    Did they charge you any fees for the services you had? And did you receive any notice from American Honda about the recalls? Or you did the services on your own cost? Mine 2002 Si is only 6000mile, but already started to make noises under the car when it's on first gear (beginning of moving). I am wondering if any of you had experience that. Also every time when I turn off the engine, I heard some kind of chain-stopping sound under the engine (dont know how to explain that, but just doesn't sound clean).
    I am thinking about taking my car in for the recalls. But don't know how to talk to them about it (since I had never recieve any notices from Honda). Unlike my previous '97 Accord, I would recieve recall notice from Honda that I could bring it with me.
    Thanks for sharing your experience!
  • moparbadmoparbad Member Posts: 3,870
    The items listed earlier were not Recalls to the best of my knowledge, simply TSB (Technical Service Bulletins) to assist dealership with problem solving.
  • siboysiboy Member Posts: 6
    At 24,000 miles, 02 Si developed an annoying creaking sound directly behind the firewall on the drivers side. The sound occurs during take-off from a start and upon stopping. The creaking sound can best be described as a creaking coffin lid in a scary movie. The longer the car is driven (warms up), the louder and longer in duration the sound becomes. During the louder creaks, I can sometimes feel a slight vibration through the steering wheel. Otherwise, the steering action is fine, and no creaks can be heard when turning the steering wheel. The Honda dealership has no clue as how to fix it - they just try little dumb things like putting sound deadening material on the air box or anti-sieze compound on the header/downpipe connection. Honda's TechLine claims to have never heard of this problem. I am going to meet with the Honda district service rep to get his imput. Was wondering if anyone else is experiencing this.

    Second problem is high oil consumption with K20A3 engine in 02 Si. Since the beginning of ownership (10 miles on odometer)until now (26K miles), the engine has consumed oil at a rate of 1 qt per 1500-2000 miles. Followed Honda's break-in recommendations, in fact, keep revs below 3500 rpm for first 600 miles. First oil change was at 4750 miles. Oil consumption has been up and down. Recently it burned 0.5 qt for 400 miles of city driving, then I topped off the oill and took a 270 mile highway trip with no oil loss. The dealership service informed me that Honda's upper spec for acceptable oil consumption is 1 qt per 1000 miles. Have others experienced this?
  • prowler161prowler161 Member Posts: 22
    I have a 2003 Civic EX Coupe. My drivers door skin, my dash, and a plastic panel on the passengers foot well on the right are all rattling. I have 8K on the car. I have not slammed the door, nor do I drive on crappy roads. The plastic pannel on the passengers side was fixed by me with double stick tape! The door skin can be quieted by applying pressure to it, but this is for only a minute or two, and I need my hands to drive, and the dash...OMG. This is a new car.. Anyone else have this problem? Can a dealer fix this without destroying anything? please help.
  • ncampbell2002ncampbell2002 Member Posts: 163
    Where do you live? This can easily be caused by colder climates and then it goes away in the summer when it warms up. This is true for both my 03 Civic coupe and my mom's 99 Accord.
  • dudkadudka Member Posts: 451
    No, there was no out of pocket cost to me. My dealer was so nice about everything. If the job took more than a few hours, i would get a free rental. Driving a rental reassured my affinity toward this Si. I did call american Honda and complained and asked for complimentary extended warranty, but was shut down. Well, i was not refuesed the coverage, but the girl on the phone said that it was too early to warrant complimentary coverage on the whole vehicle, but she did give me a choice of lifetime warranty on one or two components. I turned her down on that offer, but mentioned that I will be investigating CT lemon law. Under CT lemon law if a problem is not fixed in 4 attempts or car spends more than 30 days in the shop within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles, they have to buy it back.
  • mazdaortoyotamazdaortoyota Member Posts: 14
    Just bought my car last week. On the fourth day, the passenger side door wouldn't close after my friend opened it. We had to slam it 10 times to close it. It was very cold. I dunno if that would do it....

    I also opened the hood once and had a hard time closing it. I had to drop it real hard to close it. I was hoping that it'd close easily if I pushed it with both hands but nope.. Or am I expecting too much?

    My main concern though is a rattle that comes from somewhere. It sounds like it's from the right side of the engine but I am not sure. It happens when you are at full stop and start to accelerate. Then it goes away until you stop and move again.

    I took it to the dealer twice. First time, they couldn't find anything. Second time, they said air got stuck in the coolant system and that made the noise. They said they took the air out and the noise was gone. I picked up the car today and the noise was still there! I am feeling a little blue. Did i get a lemon car?
  • jsaggjsagg Member Posts: 1
    Last year, I bought my son a 2000 Honda civic SI with VTech engine and he also is experiencing high oil consumption - 1 qt every 1000 miles.

    Honda says that is normal but I find that very hard to swallow. A car this day and age should not consume oil at that rate. I have an extended warranty; but if Honda says that's normal, I cannot take advantage of the warranty and have the problem corrected.

    I wish someone had a solution.
  • blueiedgodblueiedgod Member Posts: 2,798
    How many miles on the 2000 Si? VTECH is a brand of phone, :-)

    I wish my dad bought me a nice car when I was 16-21. I had to buy my own, and pay my own insurance.
  • mjgmjg Member Posts: 2
    a big factor in oil consumption might be how the car is driven. i know honda engines burn more oil when the vtech engages. i don't add any oil in my 2000 si between changes but i rarely if ever get the rpm's above 4500. in fact my mechanic has never advised me that my car is burning oil at all.
  • anonymouspostsanonymousposts Member Posts: 3,802
    We owned two 2000 SI's and neither one used any oil at 30,000 and 45,000 miles. But it being a used car when you bought it there is no telling how the car was treated before it came into your hands.
  • gregoryc1gregoryc1 Member Posts: 764
    Have a compression test done on the engine. If the rings are not sealing the cylinder, the oil is getting into the combustion chamber. Also have the oil pressure checked on the engine. This will tell you alot about the main and rod bearings. If oil is going through the main and rod bearings at a higher rate than normal, more oil is being delivered to the cylinder walls. The oil pressure might still be high enough,(but not perfect), so as not to turn on the oil light, because the oil pump has a reserve capacity. The oil control rings cannot deal with the extra oil, which then finds it's way into the combustion chamber. The burning oil then forms carbon in the upper cylinder area, and locks the rings in their grooves, thus compounding the problem. Take this vehicle to a repair facility that is willing to spend some time on "trouble shooting" this problem. I hope this information is helpful to you!
  • aaronpanaaronpan Member Posts: 26
    My '02 Si currently has 8000mile and over. I noticed that the rpm reached 4000 at 80mile. I just thought it's too high and wondering how other Si owners think about this! Is it just me?!
  • muffin_manmuffin_man Member Posts: 865
    It's normal.
  • aaronpanaaronpan Member Posts: 26
    thanks for your answer. now i know why my Si isn't a good gas saving car.
  • muffin_manmuffin_man Member Posts: 865
    What kind of mileage are you getting?
  • aaronpanaaronpan Member Posts: 26
    I got about 230+ miles (full tank) for city driving. Didn't have a lot of chances to drive on the freeway so far. But I am guessing it's gonna be a little more than 300miles. What about yours?
  • muffin_manmuffin_man Member Posts: 865
    I never get less than 280+ for city driving, and I've gone 380+ on road trips. That said, I usually measure mpg. The worst I'll get is 25 mpg, and the best I've ever gotten is 33.x mpg.

    I probably average 25 though, I'm around the city a lot, the intake/header/exhaust has definitely hurt my mileage - although I suppose I could shift a little shorter.

    230 miles per tank is really, really low. That's only 17.4mpg. (our tank is 13.2 gallons, even though I once put in 14.6, according to the meter) I don't know why you would be getting so little.

    Next time you fill up, zero your trip odometer. The time you fill up after that, check how many miles you have, and how many gallons of gas you put into the tank. If you have gone 230 miles and only put in 9.2 gallons, that is about 25mpg. If you are really emptying your tank each time, something might be wrong.
  • aaronpanaaronpan Member Posts: 26
    That's a lot better than mine! Well, there might be some reasons why I am getting less miles. Do you think warming up the car could be the problem? Coz I always warm up my car for about 4 minutes or wait til the rpm drop near 1000 (every time I start the engine).
    Don't know if you do that, too. And do you think it is necessary to warm up the engine that long? I guess if I shorten the time for warming up, I could get the same mileage as you. I actually don't remember how much gas I put in when I measure it. But, I will try to measure it again as you said, next time I fuel my tank. Hopefully I will get a closer mileage as yours.
  • theracoontheracoon Member Posts: 666
    4 minutes is way too long. Anything more than 30 seconds is just wasting fuel, although when the temperatures are below freezing here I let my Honda run while I scrape the ice and snow off the windows.

    JM2C
  • markg4markg4 Member Posts: 44
    my 2000 si has 54k miles and i very recently noticed a drop in power when i accelerate (especially in 1st & 2nd gear). there is no missing or roughness, it just seems much flater than it used to. is it possible i need a tune up already? i thought the platinum plugs were supposed to last longer than 54k. i changed the fuel filter at 50k and hope it's not an injector. if i do tune it up, should i do the whole shot (plugs, wires, pcv valve, cap & roter) or just the plugs? i also wonder if i should stick to the oem ngk's or try the bosch plugs. i have read some questionable things about the bosch 4+'s but good things about the regular bosch platinum's. any advice is much appreciated.

    thanks.
  • muffin_manmuffin_man Member Posts: 865
    theracoon is right, 4 minutes is too long. The best way to warm up your car is to drive, don't rev your car hard until your temperature gauge reaches the middle of the dial (normal position).
  • blueiedgodblueiedgod Member Posts: 2,798
    Qoute: #108 of 109 si problem by markg4 Apr 20, 2004 (8:36 pm)
    my 2000 si has 54k miles and i very recently noticed a drop in power when i accelerate (especially in 1st & 2nd gear). there is no missing or roughness, it just seems much flater than it used to. is it possible i need a tune up already? i thought the platinum plugs were supposed to last longer than 54k. i changed the fuel filter at 50k and hope it's not an injector. if i do tune it up, should i do the whole shot (plugs, wires, pcv valve, cap & roter) or just the plugs? i also wonder if i should stick to the oem ngk's or try the bosch plugs. i have read some questionable things about the bosch 4+'s but good things about the regular bosch platinum's. any advice is much appreciated.
    thanks.


    Are you the original owner of the Si?
    See if changing air filter and running a quality fuel injector cleaner helps. I use Chevron cleaner from Costco every 5000 miles. Also, check the oil level. Low oil level will make your car feel sluggish, also, dirty oil will do that too. I just switched to Mobil 1 0W-20 from Mobil 1 5W-30, the car seems to want to rev. I have a 2002 Si though, I am pretty sure 2000 Si did not require 5W-20.
    It is also possible that your VTEC is not enganging at 5000, or whatever, RPM. Dirty oil will do a number on the VTEC solenoid.
  • markg4markg4 Member Posts: 44
    yes i am the original owner. i have a green air filter and it's the 1st thing i checked but it's not too dirty. i am going to do the fuel cleaner soon and see if that works. the oil was changed 1500 miles ago but i never have problems between changes but i will check the level. thanks for the advice.
  • aaronpanaaronpan Member Posts: 26
    muffin_man, you are right, I am gonna change the way i warm up my car, and see if I will get better mileage on gas. I guess I wasted a lot of gas for just warming up my car. I was just afraid I might hurt the car if I don't warm it up before I drive it.
    theracoon thanks for your advice too!
    By the way, I am wondering what grad of gas is everyone using for their Si? Is there any differences? At least I didn't find one!?
  • blueiedgodblueiedgod Member Posts: 2,798
    the 1999-2000 Si required premium gas, the new 2002 and up Si only requires 86 and up. I use regular gas.
  • gregoryc1gregoryc1 Member Posts: 764
    You should be running a fuel injector / upper cylinder carbon cleaner in the fuel, on a regular basis. Change the air filter. Change your oil and filter every 3,000 miles. Pump in some high quality name brand fuel, that has some octane!!!!!!!!!
  • muffin_manmuffin_man Member Posts: 865
    aaronpan - well, like 'they' say, when you're idling, you're getting zero mpg.

    I use 87, and the manual recommends 87. People have dyno tested this car with 91 octane, and get 1 more horsepower or something. I used 91 in my car for a few months when I bought it for some reason (octane prejudice?), and never noticed anything when I switched to 87.

    I'm really happy that this car takes regular over premium. I drive about 15000 miles a year, and at 25mpg (less than I actually get), and assuming $2.25/$2.75 (87octane/91octane), I save about $300 a year. It's not huge, but $25/month is $25 a month - it works out to about a 20% savings.
  • markg4markg4 Member Posts: 44
    a bottle of $7 fuel cleaner seems to have done the trick for my si. i hope it will also help with the declining fuel economy that i have noticed in the last 6 months. i think i will use it every 5k from now on. thanks for the advice.
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