Honda Accord (1994-1997) Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    My 06 EX-L is an I4, 5 spd manual.
  • mamamia2mamamia2 Member Posts: 707
    I think tallman1 is refering to the OTHER guy complaining about getting 18mpg, saying his average was in the high 20's/low 30's with the same '95 I-4 Accord....

    But it would still be interesting to know what's the mileage you're getting on your NEW, '06 Accord I-4, 5 spd manual, tallman1....
  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    But it would still be interesting to know what's the mileage you're getting on your NEW, '06 Accord I-4, 5 spd manual, tallman1....

    I've posted before in the Accord Mileage thread.... the 06 does much better. I just had my first sub-30 mpg tank of gas a couple of weeks ago. That was after 20,000 miles. I bought it at the end of last March. The colder weather and shorter trips did me in. Sigh.

    When I was commuting 38 miles one way I usually averaged around 33-35 combined city/highway, with the highway/freeway traffic congestion here in western Washington.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    i didn't know that. thanks for the clarification.
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    Sure, no problem! It goes with their "sports-sedan" type marketing with the V6 manual - a V6 is just preferable I guess!
  • starwood128starwood128 Member Posts: 2
    Have this great vehicle at 198000 right now. Replaced front end last year. and change oil regularly (Valvoline MaxLife). 4-spd stick, 4-cyl....looking for more mileage. Was wondering what typical additional mileage I might see off this critter.
  • mamamia2mamamia2 Member Posts: 707
    Just treat it right, be willing to spend money on repairs -- and it would go on forever... 300,000 miles maybe?

    But a good mechanic with the right equipment could test your engine and transmission and give you a more professional prognosis.
  • dridmangdridmang Member Posts: 10
    Gas mileage greatly depends on your driving habits. I have a 94 accord 4-cylinder with automatic transmission and I get 17 mpg driving in the city, but I get 33 mpg when driving 100% highway cruising at 70 mph. The reason I get such bad mileage in the city is because I live in San Francisco and I drive a lot of stop and go and having to stop and reaccelerate after every stop sign does kill a lot of gas. There are a lot of hills here too. The best I've done with all city driving was maybe 20 mpg. But it still does a lot better than my bmw averaging 12 mpg driving in the streets of sf.
  • mamamia2mamamia2 Member Posts: 707
    Try cruising the highway at 55-60 and you'll get an extra 20% miles from each gallon....

    But highway trips need also to be LONG to achieve the best gas mieage. My commute to work consists of less than 1 mile street driving, 5 miles highway and then 1/2 mile street to my office.... I can see how driving on the highway, the first 2-3 miles my tachometer shows higher RPM for the same speed, compared to the last 2 miles -- which means my car's engine is running at its highest efficiency only in the last 2 miles of highway driving.... And my average gas mileage sucks accordingly...
  • pete77pete77 Member Posts: 12
    My mechanic told me that my gas tank sending unit is leaking gas - not a lot, but enough to wet the sending unit. He also said that the general area is rotted and needs to be replace... (I live in North East Ohio - lots of snow / salt in the road).

    Has anyone replaced a gas tank? How difficult is this?

    While I am at it, I might as well replace the gas and brake lines that run over the gas tank... is it OK to replace those lines with a gasoline rated and brake fluid rated rubber tubings?

    The engine's still good and I would like to keep the car...

    Thanks in advance...
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Replacing a gas tank is best done in a shop on a lift. It's a real pain in the butt to do on your back in your garage, if that's what you're asking. Nothing technical, but awkward and you could easily get a gas-bath, which is really no fun at all. I'd also make sure you have enough replacement hoses, etc. for whatever breaks or is rotten when you take the tank out.
  • pete77pete77 Member Posts: 12
    How about the hoses? Could I use a rubber hose instead of the current metal lines for the gas and the brake lines?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well that depends on where they are I think, if they'd rub or be vulnerable to road debris.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    Doesn't seem like a good idea to put rubber hose in an area you can't see or access easily (to check the condition of the hoses). I might trust braided hose (like some use for the caliper hose), but those would probably cost you.
  • autoboy16autoboy16 Member Posts: 992
    "Baby I Swear its, Deja VÚ!!" -Beyonce :blush:

    Hey mamamia2 long time no see!! I've had my accord for almost a year (4/29/06) and got my o2 sensors replaced already. Still, I get the squeal under moderate and up acceleration or cruising with the tac at 3krpm. This confuses everyone as it isn't consistent.

    I need new spark plugs. One fell into the wire and caused misfires. My dad pulled it back out and it was fine for about 45miles then it happened again. He pulled it out again and it fell in again last night.

    Otherwise, I'm enjoying my ownership! My biggest problem is waiting 5-7years to buy an acura TSX or TL... :cry::cry: :sick:

    image

    -Cj :shades:
  • pete77pete77 Member Posts: 12
    Using hoses seems to be easier to work with than rigid metal lines, that's why I am thinking of it. I am not sure if this is true or not...

    I like your suggestion of using braided or reinforced hoses... any idea of which costs more - metal lines or braided hoses?
  • mamamia2mamamia2 Member Posts: 707
    Sorry I can't help you with the squealing problem, Autoboy, I have no idea...

    And your problem is the same problem MOST of the people on this planet have... The need for more MONEY.

    Good luck.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    I'm pretty sure the braided hoses would not be any cheaper. Not sure. The braided lines for the calipers are easy to find, but it may be difficult to find long ones. Good luck.
  • tankbeanstankbeans Member Posts: 585
    I recently went to Goodyear to get an oil change, had a coupon, and had my tires rotated. They said that my rotors on the front were cracked and my pads were worn out. They said that it would run $615 to replace everything. I pretty told them to take a hike in so many words. How long would you say it is safe to drive like this before I have to start really bugging my friends, most of which are more mechanically inclined than I am? I've noticed that it takes longer to stop in the past couple of weeks, but the weird part is there is no screeching that you would expect if the brakes are going.

    Thank you in advance for any tips or advice. I am already trying to get my friend to look at them, but that may take a while. I'm just trying to see if I should try another person because I can't really afford to spend $615 right now.

    Once again thanks for any responses.
  • pete77pete77 Member Posts: 12
    I suggest taking your car to another shop for a second opinion... also, it seems fairly high priced for an Accord... I would think the price should be around half or a little more than half of what was quoted...
  • tankbeanstankbeans Member Posts: 585
    In your opinion would you say that it would be okay to try and replace them using the scissor jack that comes with the car or should I buy a pair of jack stands? I would like to either do it myself with help or find a friend who knows about that sort of thing take care of it for me.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    I say get some jack stands, and someone to help you (two heads are better than one) take your time, and use a service manual. I have posted a link below, it may be of some help too. Good luck :D

    http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1281812
  • mdm82mdm82 Member Posts: 1
    my abs light comes on and then goes off as I'm driving or even when I'm parked with the car on. I had it diagnosed and my mechanic said it was my abs modulator and that it would cost $1800 to fix...I'm wondering if there is anything else it might be...or where maybe I can find a rebuilt modulator...And is it bad if I don't fix it? I know I won't have abs but I still have brake function. Anyways any advice or help would be much appreciated! Thanks
  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    Very common problem in Honda and Acura during these years. My light came on years ago in my 95 Accord and I never got it fixed. Everything has worked fine. I even had the ABS brakes work the one time I slid in the snow... don't know why that happened but they came on.

    The car now has 220k miles.
  • mamamia2mamamia2 Member Posts: 707
    I replaced it in 2001 ($1,200 by the dealership) and then a year ago it went dead again. I found a REBUILT module for something like $200.- but by then I got a great offer for the car and traded it in (for a Sonata)....

    So yes, if you really want it, you can get a rebuilt one. My mechanic was willing to put it in for another $200.

    But before you do anything drastic, try to FILL IT UP... There is a rubber cap and another plastic cap under it... Very slowly add some brake fluid, while the engine is working... Do it slowly, let the air escape.
  • autoboy16autoboy16 Member Posts: 992
    Funny story about the squeal. I thought about taking it to the dealer and drove past it on the way to work. IT STOPPED FOR A WHOLE MONTH!! It just recently started again. I'm praying that new spark plugs may fix it.

    Quick question about the flashing D$ light. Do you mean as in when the vehicle comes on, It comes on and goes off or as in ON-OFF-ON-OFF no matter the gear? :confuse:

    -Cj
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I think they mean it will flash no matter what the gear, not just at startup.
  • tankbeanstankbeans Member Posts: 585
    Thank you for the link. I read through it and the job seems relatively straight forward. This weekend I am going to be taking it to a friends to have him help me with it. I was wondering if a person has to buy "Honda Genuine" brake fluid or will standard brake fluid work? Will it mess up my brake systems if I used standard brake fluid?

    Any responses are a big help. Thanks to anybody who responds.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    USE HONDA FLUID.
  • neeper_97neeper_97 Member Posts: 20
    Use only genuine Honda brake fluid or a brake fluid made specifically for Honda cars. Don't put any other regular Dot 3 or 4 in it as it will mess up your brake system. You can find aftermarket Honda fluid at any of your major auto parts stores. I've used it and I haven't had any problems at all.
  • tankbeanstankbeans Member Posts: 585
    I checked at a Checker auto parts store and they didn't seem to have it. Would it be better to go to maybe a NAPA or was I just looking at the wrong bottle? What would the bottle look like? Do you think that it would be sold in the automotive section at Walmart? I looked for it for about an hour online the other day and didn't find any. Should I shag my ars down to the local Honda dealer and buy it there?

    Thanks to anyone who responds.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    The dealer will be your best bet. Liquids are hard to buy online, because of shipping regulations (it would have to be shipped by ground). No, you will not find it at Walmart.
  • tankbeanstankbeans Member Posts: 585
    Once again thanks for the response. Is it very expensive from the dealer. I am going to bring it to CarX to have them install the parts, which I already have. They said that they'd put brake fluid in if it needed to be topped off or anything. I wasn't sure if they'd use standard fluid or not. So I just want to walk in there with everything and say here's what I want in the car so that it won't get messed up. Do you think that it would be any more than about $5 or should I go in and expect to pay $10 and be surprised if it is less? Just want to know. I don't want to screw up the first nice car that I've had so much so that it would be better to replace it. You know what I mean.

    I hope that I don't sound like a pain in the butt, but I need to know these things and the people on the forum sound like they know a lot more about what they are talking about than a lot of shops, who are just in it for the money.

    Once again thanks for the effort in responding.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    I just changed my brake fluid recently. It was $4.33 for a bottle. Yes, you should change your brake fluid every 3 years, irrespective of mileage.
  • tankbeanstankbeans Member Posts: 585
    Once again thank you for all your help. I don't think $4.33 is that bad for "name brand" supplies if you want to call them that. I have already made the decision that if they say to use a certain fluid and the difference between the recommended and the standard fluid is only a couple of bucks I won't even risk the damage.

    With regards to the pads and rotors themselves I feel as though they all get the job done and it therefore doesn't behoove me to spend a ton of money when they're all supposed to pass the same safety standards. As long as nothing is going through my lines that could cause damage I am okay.
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    I always buy Honda parts (want to keep it like new as long as I can). Some other types of pads leave an excess of dust on your wheels, and some are more prone to squealing. There should be a small packet of grease stuff that comes with the pads. This goes between the back (plate) of the pad, and the shims (should be two shims for each pad). Hope you have some brake cleaner, because you don't want to blow that toxic dust in the air. Good luck
  • tankbeanstankbeans Member Posts: 585
    I'm guessing that the guy at CarX will take care of all of that for me. I can't imagine that pads are very different other than maybe material. I'm sure the guy will use the grease properly to avoid squealing.

    I can't say it enough how much I appreciate all the information that I get from this site. Thanks to all who have contributed to my questions.
  • chauncybrandchauncybrand Member Posts: 4
    Anybody know a good trick for removing the rubber fitting from the end of the plug-wire shaft from my spark plug well? Mine pulled off the plug-wire shaft while I was changing out the plugs/wires and now it's stuck too far in the hole to remove with needle-nose.
  • tankbeanstankbeans Member Posts: 585
    I brought my car in yesterday to have the rotors on my 95 Accord and it ended up costing me $350.00. I brought in my own parts. The mechanic said that the rotors were what you would call pressed on. I wasn't entirely sure what that meant.

    Does anyone think this is reasonable?
  • elroy5elroy5 Member Posts: 3,735
    The mechanic said that the rotors were what you would call pressed on. I wasn't entirely sure what that meant.

    This means the shop has to use a machine press to push the hub out of the rotor. Don't know about the price, as I have never had rotors replaced.
  • toolow4metoolow4me Member Posts: 7
    I Have a 97 Accord LX. i was under the hood the other day and i noticed a very small gap at the top of the exhaust header where it attaches the the motor, or manifold or whatever that is it attaches to. i don't know a whole lot. the Header is bolted on right and everything i had someone else look at it as well for a second opinion to make sure i wasn't seeing things. they saw the gap too.. it looks like the 4 ports on the header just don't match up. it's only a very small gap and i was wondering if its suposed to be like that or if its suposed to be a solid seal all around the header? the motor runs fine. but it sounds like its running dry even though ikeep the oil levels full and changed regularly. That wouldn't by chance be anything to do with the Emissions problems some of these cars had then is it? It's The origional header
  • thegraduatethegraduate Member Posts: 9,731
    I just had my 1996 Accord LX in for a routine oil change, and asked them to check my rear brakes for wear. THEY ARE THE ORIGINAL SHOES AND DRUMS! The car has a lot of highway miles (over half its life was spent driving 60 miles of interstate a day). The car has 172,000 miles on it, with front brake pads first replaced at 132,000 miles.

    Anybody ever seen brake wear this slow?
  • autoboy16autoboy16 Member Posts: 992
    my dad had a 1994 legend and he drove it pretty hard then. When he would park it in the driveway, the cooling fan would stay on after the car is off to cool the car down faster. I noticed it but after i knew what it was, I paid no attention to it. That could be the humming.

    The whole gas thing I am not sure of. But every time I open my gas cap, the car always gives a loooong sigh of relief. It makes the sound for fume release or something like that. I cant say too much about it as I only gas up every 3-4 weeks. At half a tank now, My MPG so far is about 8MPG but I didn't top off.

    -CJ
  • shadowaceshadowace Member Posts: 1
    Just bought this car in November 06, 270K 5spd manual trans, so far had to replace exhaust valve, cyl #1 (complete to pend tear down head milled, new head gasket, all valves dressed, and last month new alternator, car has a few of the issues posted like idle speed on cold start, all manageable, minor issues. Major issue came up today driving home after 1 hr on the highway, speeds 55mph, noticed "hot brake" smell. Got home, checked rear lug nuts for heat, cold..front lugs so hot removed my fingerprints both sides...question is "why would both get hot at same time?" We removed front wheels and find that both front brakes are dragging. Brake fluid is Genuine Honda (as all info with car states work done at local Honda Dealer) and is full and clean looking, there is no leakage showing at either Master Cylinder, brake lines or at either wheel brake cylinder. Does anyone have any ideas? We could understand a brake cylinder going on one side, but on both at the same time on the same day. We are thinking there must be another cause and as this is our first Honda car (we were so impressed with our "01 Shadow Ace Motorcycle)we thought we'd ask here before spending another $1500 on it. Any info appreciated...Thanks in advance :confuse:
  • tankbeanstankbeans Member Posts: 585
    Hey all-

    I recently took my car into the shop to have both of the front rotors replaced. The car brakes fine, better than before, as far as I can tell. My issue, minor annoyance, whatever you want to call it, is that every other time I drive the car the ABS indicator light will come on and stay on. It's weird because something as simple as just turning the car off and on will get the light to go out. This leads me to believe that there is nothing seriously wrong, but maybe just a sensor has been bumped out of whack. Does anyone think that it would be possible to bring it back to the shop where the work was done and have them check it out.

    Do you suppose that it would cost a whole lot of money?

    Thank you for your ideas.
  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    Heh-heh... my guess is that your ABS pump is failing. VERY common in these years for Accord and Acura. It is also very expensive to repair (almost $2000 at a dealer) However, mine has been on for years and I've got over 220k miles on my 95 EX.

    Maybe you will be lucky and the shop will admit to messing something up. I'd at least ask. It could also be a just a sensor. Good luck.
  • tankbeanstankbeans Member Posts: 585
    I'm guessing and hoping that it is just a sensor because I drove most of today without the light coming on except for the test the car always runs when it turns over. If it is something wrong with the pump is it really an important thing to fix. I know that the ABS would probably be useless, but other than that would there be a problem letting it go?

    Thanks for any responses.
  • tallman1tallman1 Member Posts: 1,874
    As I said, mine has been on for years. I thought the ABS wouldn't work but the one time I needed it in the snow, it actually worked. I still don't get it but it did. Saved me from going into a snow bank.

    The brakes will work without ABS.
  • toolow4metoolow4me Member Posts: 7
    If you never had problems with the ABS light coming on before you had your front rotors replaced and it started coming on shortly afterwards i suggest you check your fluid level if you haven't already. my experience with my 95 EX as well as my 97 LX is that it takes very little leakage of fluid to trigger your ABS light. and fluid loss is a good bet because when a brake job is done on any vehicle whether its the rotors the pads, or the calipers, or anythign brake related, chances are some fluid was lost.
    I work as a mechanics aid at a saturn dealership and from what i've noticed most technicians/mechanics don't worry to much about topping off the fluid unless a lot leaks out. so try that and see what happens! Good Luck!
  • tankbeanstankbeans Member Posts: 585
    This may sound like a dumb question, but should I check the master cylinder for the normal brakes, or the ABS reservoir. I'm not sure if they're interconnected or not. It's probably an obvious answer, but I'm kind of a moron when it comes to this sort of thing.
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