New to Hondas, got a few questions

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by tonyrama, May 9, 2005.

  1. tonyrama

    tonyrama Guest

    Hey all
    Just got a '92 Accord Coupe through my aunt's estate. I've never had a Honda
    before, so I was wondering if there is any website or something like that
    that I can get info from? Looking for stuff like known problems, issues,
    recalls, stuff like that.

    I drove it home today, and it's in much worse shape then I had originally
    thought. First, the idle is uneven, as if someone is repeatedly goosing the
    throttle. This happened on start-up, and went away by the time I got home,
    about ten miles away. At about eight miles though, was when I saw smoke from
    the engine compartment, and then I noticed that the temperature was
    redlined. Seeing that there was a jug of antifreeze in the front seat, I
    figured that it was low, but it wasn't. So I left it, and came back a couple
    hours later to pick it up, and there's a really bad belt squeal from
    somewhere.

    I think the brakes are shot, as they're making a lot of noise, no power to
    the radio, the power mirror switch seems to be stuck in the far right
    position, because the mirrors will only go right, and the only way to stop
    them is to turn the side selector switch to neutral.

    Aside from the brakes, which is a wear item, are these things that normally
    fail on Hondas? I'd always thought of Hondas as one of the most reliable
    cars around, was I wrong, or is this just a really bad apple?

    Thanks
    Tonyrama
     
    tonyrama, May 9, 2005
    #1
  2. tonyrama

    TeGGeR® Guest


    Oh they are, especially if you take care of them.



    I think you just picked up the results of somebody's severe neglect.

    There are some really good people in this group. Most of your problems
    should be fixable with their help.

    By the way, did you check the coolant level in the rad or just in the
    reservoir?
     
    TeGGeR®, May 9, 2005
    #2
  3. www.cb7tuner.com
     
    Steve Bigelow, May 9, 2005
    #3
  4. tonyrama

    SoCalMike Guest

    sounds like abuse/neglect to me. some people think "maintenance"
    consists of filling the gas tank. its probably never had a timing belt
    change, water pump change, or any of its fluids changed, ever. the
    brakes should have been looked at when they first started making noise.

    which leaves the power mirror switch, which is likely a fluke. its
    already hit jalopy status.
     
    SoCalMike, May 9, 2005
    #4
  5. tonyrama

    Jason Guest

    Tonyrama,
    It's a great idea when you get a used car to have a complete tune-up. If
    you know a local mechanic that you trust, take it to him. Otherwise, take
    it to the local Honda dealership and have them do a complete tune-up. If
    you have some extra money--also have them change the timing belt and
    replace the water pump. If you need tires, watch for special sales in the
    local newspaper. While at the Honda dealership, have them check the brakes
    and suspension system.
    Jason
     
    Jason, May 9, 2005
    #5
  6. tonyrama

    motsco_ _ Guest

    ------------------------------

    Before driving (any) disused vehicle, you should read and understand the
    manual, then perform the inspections described. What if the brakes had
    completely failed (I guess we wouldn't be having this discussion, eh?)
    The bottle of antifreeze should have tipped you off to look under the
    hood and be sure all was OK. Overheating the engine could destroy your
    'inheritance' rather quickly.

    If you didn't get a manual with the car, your Honda dealer will be glad
    to get you one, for a fee. :)

    'Curly'
     
    motsco_ _, May 9, 2005
    #6
  7. tonyrama

    tonyrama Guest


    Oh, the engine temp was off the charts, so I decided not to open the
    radiator :) Yesterday was poruring rain, so I didn't go out to check it once
    it cooled down. But if the reservoir was full, wouldn't the rad be also?

    Thanks for the website, I'll have to check that out.


    Tonyrama
     
    tonyrama, May 9, 2005
    #7
  8. tonyrama

    tonyrama Guest


    Well, the car had already been driven for several miles to the place where I
    picked it up. And I did test the brakes before I took it. My aunt had been
    driving this thing all over the place as late as a couple months ago, so it
    didn't seem like too much could go wrong.

    It did come with a manual, but that wouldn't tell me why the switch failed,
    or why it overheated, unless Honda makes better manuals then everybody else
    :)

    Tonyrama
     
    tonyrama, May 9, 2005
    #8
  9. tonyrama

    TeGGeR® Guest



    Nope.

    Certain problems, from a bad rad cap to a blown head gasket to some other
    kind of leak, can cause the rad to be low and the reservoir to be high.
     
    TeGGeR®, May 9, 2005
    #9
  10. tonyrama

    TeGGeR® Guest



    You would be absolutely amazed what people consider "normal", even when
    very serious problems are happening down there. Some people are totally
    oblivious to what their car is telling them.

    My local dealer told me recently about a customer that brought his car in
    because a signal light wasn't working. While the tech was driving the car
    50ft from the parking space to the garage door, he knew instantly that
    something was seriously wrong with the suspension: The steering had 3" of
    play at the steering wheel. It was so loose it felt like it was connected
    with string.

    When he got it apart, he saw the ball joint was rattling around in its
    socket like a pill in a pill bottle. I saw and felt that ball joint. The
    customer was /completely/ unaware, even though the steering had about 3" of
    play. He had been driving it like that for months.
     
    TeGGeR®, May 9, 2005
    #10
  11. tonyrama

    John Horner Guest

    Um, it is a 13 year old car with an unknown maintenance history.
    Brand is not an issue here!

    John
     
    John Horner, May 9, 2005
    #11
  12. tonyrama

    slim Guest

    If the water pump has "gone south" the engine will just heat up......

    --

    "This notion that the United States is getting ready
    to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. Having said that,
    all options are on the table,"
    George Bush, Feb 22 2005

    http://www.quantumphilosophy.net/files/clips/TimRyan_Medium.mov

    http://www.bushflash.com/thanks.html
    http://www.worldmessenger.20m.com/weapons.html#wms
    WHY IRAQ?: http://www.angelfire.com/creep/gwbush/remindus.html
    http://www.toostupidtobepresident.com/shockwave/chickenhawks.htm

    "Bubba got a BJ, BU$H screwed us all!" - Slim
     
    slim, May 9, 2005
    #12
  13. tonyrama

    slim Guest

    A Honda will mark 13 years of service more times than most "domestic" brands.

    --

    "This notion that the United States is getting ready
    to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. Having said that,
    all options are on the table,"
    George Bush, Feb 22 2005

    http://www.quantumphilosophy.net/files/clips/TimRyan_Medium.mov

    http://www.bushflash.com/thanks.html
    http://www.worldmessenger.20m.com/weapons.html#wms
    WHY IRAQ?: http://www.angelfire.com/creep/gwbush/remindus.html
    http://www.toostupidtobepresident.com/shockwave/chickenhawks.htm

    "Bubba got a BJ, BU$H screwed us all!" - Slim
     
    slim, May 9, 2005
    #13
  14. tonyrama

    tonyrama Guest

    Well, the car had already been driven for several miles to the place
    I know that, and my aunt was one of those people. But I did figure that if
    it were going to blow up, it would've done it already.

    Talked to a guy at work, he said it sounded like a water pump failure. I
    will be able to check that now that it's not raining.

    Tonyrama
     
    tonyrama, May 9, 2005
    #14
  15. tonyrama

    tonyrama Guest

    No arguments there from me. I've only ever owned Japanese cars. Ok, that's
    not true, but I've only ever bought Japanese cars. One is ten, the other is
    twelve, but then I like to take care of mine.

    Tonyrama
     
    tonyrama, May 9, 2005
    #15
  16. tonyrama

    S.S. Guest

    Out of curiosity, how many miles does this Accord have now?

    If you can get a hold the car's maintenance receipts, look for the last
    instance of the timing belt being changed. If it is the water pump that is
    failing (and from what you have said so far, I tend to believe so), the
    timing belt might as well be changed (if it hasn't been done recently) if
    you're going to change the water pump. With belt-driven Honda engines like
    this one, it is recommended that the water pump be changed at the same time
    as the timing belt, as you have to remove a bunch of stuff to get at both.

    Get the water pump thing done ASAP because if you put it off too long, a
    failing water pump may cause the timing belt to break, thereby possibly
    damaging the engine valves. And that means huge $ to fix.
     
    S.S., May 9, 2005
    #16
  17. tonyrama

    tonyrama Guest

    The car has 128,000 miles. Maintenance receipts will be likely gone, but I
    doubt it's had anything in the way of preventative maint. for at least the
    last few years. It's not really driveable now, so I'll definately get it
    fixed before I start to use it.

    Tonyrama
     
    tonyrama, May 9, 2005
    #17
  18. tonyrama

    Dee Guest

    128,000 miles is nothing to a Honda, but 13 years might be, if that makes
    sense. It doesn't sound like the car was maintained well, at least in recent
    years.

    Get it tuned up, have the timing belt and water pump replaced, have the
    thermostat checked and check the hoses and belts (maybe a belt was
    squealing? maybe a radiator hose leak?). Have the entire car checked out. If
    the overheating didn't cause engine damage, you'll probably wind up with a
    great car.
     
    Dee, May 10, 2005
    #18
  19. tonyrama

    tonyrama Guest

    Yes, that does make sense. It shows neglect all over.
    It is leaking antifreeze, I put cardboard under it so I'd be able to see it,
    and it was soaked this afternoon. It's coming from the general direction of
    the water pump, but there's a large plastic shroud under there, and the
    coolant is dripping off of it. Will have to localize the leak though...
    Tonyrama
     
    tonyrama, May 10, 2005
    #19
  20. tonyrama

    Dee Guest


    You could always jack up the radiator cap and slide a new car under it.

    Seriously, all these problems *might* be minor; the engine and transmission
    may still be in good shape -- hope so. Good luck.
     
    Dee, May 10, 2005
    #20
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