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Comments
I did have the tie rod ends replaced within the last ~ 500 miles due to a clunk with turning.
I also noticed a recall for 98 HOnda Accord ball joints due to premature wear, etc.
I see that brake rotors are prone to warping with excessive heat. However, as I only brake hard in emergencies, and usually my brake pads last far longer than average, I find this unlikely unless there is some other reason, like brake caliper drag.
I don't know if the recall work was ever done on this car: can the dealer tell at this late date by looking up the VIN? I am 3rd owner, having purchased it from my best friends. They did not have that recall done, but it is possible that the first owner did. However, I think I have all the records, and no mention of that service.
Thanks for input!! Otherwise this car has been absolutely great!
It is indeed possible that the rotors are warped. However, it came on so suddenly, that I am more inclinded to think there is (perhaps also) a part failure. Plus, the same timing of the high speed shake. I keep thinking wheel weight (as the next person suggested) but I am not sure how that would correlate with the braking vibration. It may be all it is, and perhaps an unbalanced wheel would also shudder on braking- and perhaps in and of itself, cause secondary warpage! :sick:
If not, then alignment and another look-see at the underpinnings...
Thanks again for your thoughtful replies!
J
Mrbill
After starting about 2 minutes, it starts to choke unless I keep my foot on the gas pedal. the problem disappears after 5 minutes
Also the cooling fan only start when the engine is off...
good luck.
If a wheel is out of balance, braking will usually make the vibration worse.
Cooling fan---might be normal, the result of "heat sink" in which an engine briefly heats up after being shut off.
stephanie
i'm assuming it is a linkage issue. any ideas- possibilities?
thanks , chuckie
Mechanic's Suggestions:
$220.00 Perform fuel injection service and clean throttle body
$ 85.00 Replace dirty air filter and PCV valve
$140.00 Flush cooling system due to low pH and replace radiator cap
$200.00 Replace soft radiator hoses. (may be cheaper if cooling system flush is done at the same time)
$400.00 Replace worn spark plugs, spark plug wires and corroded distributor cap and rotor
Also, what seems the most important?
- The fuel injection service, you can throw a can of injector cleaner in your gas tank. Other than that, I personally wouldn't be messing with the injectors.
- Cleaning the throttle body, air filter, and pcv valve all go together. Here again, if this hasn't been done in 7 years you are overdue.
- I'd do the plugs, wires, caps as well....those 3 all go together.
All of this would be substantially cheaper than the prices quoted, if you are technically proficient and don't mind getting your hands a little dirty. It is hard for anyone to give suggestions to you, since we don't know what skills you have, what tools you have, and what types of repairs you have done successfully before. I personally consider all of those routine maintenance jobs, but then again I do all of the work on our vehicles. If you haven't worked on anything before, I'm not sure you should do any of it yourself unless you have somebody knowledgeable there giving you assistance and guidance. It certainly would be significantly easier to write a check to have someone else do it though, if you have the financial means and no desire to do these jobs.
Does this vehicle need the timing belt replaced? If so, let the mechanic do the belt, have him replace the waterpump at the same time, and therefore the radiator hoses and flush all get done then as well.
The air filter on that model of car is SUPER EASY to change. Buy a $10 at AutoZone or Wal-Mart (I bought an STP air filter for my grandmother's 2002 LX 4-cyl Accord) and changed it in 30 seconds!
Not sure about the rest, as I'm not a mechanic at ALL!
I recommend that you apply a small amount of dielectric grease to the contacts on the bulb to keep water out, and that you replace both the left and right bulbs at the same time - they fail at about the same time.
You can find the grease and bulbs at any auto parts store. I use the regular Sylvania. The other more expensive one (have a bluish color) are a gimic and burn out quickly.
You can a decent paper air filter (Fram, Bosch, etc) for $15.00 To replace the air filter, locate the air box on the passenger side of the car, pop the 4 clips, lift the top off, remove the filter, and clean any leaves and debris out of the air box.
The PCV valve is also easy, should cost ~$3, and take 5 minutes. It's located on the top side of the engine near the backside. It's connected to a rubber hose and plugs into the valve cover. Pull the PCV valve out of the cover, slide the hose clamp down the hose with a pair of plyers, and pull the valve out of the hose. If it's really stuck on there, soak the old PCV valve in a cup of warm water. This will cause the hose to expand so it's easier to remove. Getting the new PCV valve on there require a bit of attrition, but it will eventually slide on there.
The plugs and wires are also pretty easy, should take under an hour, and can be done by yourself ~$60. I didn't replace the rotor and cap, but it looked straightforward in the manual. I've heard that NKG plugs (same used by Honda) seem to work better than the Bosch, but I had to goto NAPA to get them. Also, you only need the $2-$4 platinum plugs - anything more is a gimmick. Make sure to put anti-sieze compound on the threads and be careful to not cross thread the new plugs. Also, I found it helps to use the old boot plug to remove the old plugs and start the new ones. For the plug wires, start on one side and replace one at a time.
For $200 dollars, they better take the fuel injectors out and sonicate them in Triton-X 100 for an hour. I doubt it. They probably dump a bottle of fuel system cleaner in the tank and let chemistry takes it's course. Valvoline only charges $80 for that treatment. The throttle body is probably cleaned with the same canned stuff that you can buy at any auto parts store.
If the radiator hoses need to be replaced, then you mind as well have the cooling system flushed. The price is a bit steep in my opinion, and I would do it myself. $300 is worth half a day of my time.
I would definately look at getting the timing belt replaced. It's worth the cost to have someone else do it, and you don't want to have on fail on you.
Eagle21
And what do you mean when you wrote "I pumped up the brakes so they would stop the car". If you have to pump the brakes, you've got another problem.
When is the last time the brake fluid was flushed/bled?
research, then call them.
Regards
Corkscrew
http://www.hondaaccordforum.com/recalls-and-tsbs/tsb.htm
Please advise
If the brake fluid was topped off at sometime when the pads were worn down, when you push the pistons back in, that extra fluid has to go somewhere.
Mrbill
I am not sure if I can post their toll free number, but you can get it thru directory assistance.
Regards
Corkscrew
Somehow my car radio does not have any power and I try to turn it on.
This happens after I replavce the dead battery with the new one.
I have tried to remove the battery and plugs it back in hope if the power
get reset but it did not help.
I appreciate if anyone can give me suggestions what to do.
Thanks
--
Tuan Le
Being female sure doesn't mean anything! You are exactly right.
Merry Christmas to you, and to all!
BTW, stick with NGK or Denso plugs. Those work best in most vehicles. Avoid Bosch like the plague.
Mrbill