[E-Man]

Hi all,

I'm getting near 200k miles probably by the next oil change. I wanted some knowledgeable advice on what to do to my car to ensure it will last me a good while, considering I will tackle any problem that's not too expensive to fix (I think my cap will be $200) and keep taking good care of it. Below are a list of things that are wrong with it right now; some of which I plan to fix, some I won't. I'm mechanically apt, so I know my way around cars and some things are common sense to do for a tune up. Just read through my list of things that I know I have to do and add your advice on what else to do that will help out; I've never had a car go this many miles, my civic could have made it if I hadn't let the wiring harness get messed up.

Here's my list:

1. Change all filters, including transmission
2. Change all fluids, oils (should I worry abou the PS fluid?)
3. Flush radiator
4. Check and replace the belts as neccessary
5. Check the balls joints for tears
6. Buy the 5 spoke oem rims -if anyone has good ones, let me know please! I'm tired of dealing with low profile tire problems, it's not worth the looks.
7. Is there a way to check if the timing belt and water pump are doing okay?
8. Change spark plugs
9. Check hoses for the usual hose eye sores
10. Is there a way to check for possible conditions which may cause a crack on the heads?
11. Check cv boots for wear/tears as well as the rack and pinion boots

Things wrong with the car:
1. Valve stem seals worn and provoke that white smoke, I've done my reading and don't think I can do this; and it's waaaaay to expensive to pay a mechanic.

2. A possible head gasket leak; I changed to synthetic a couple of oil changes ago. The first time I changed it, I drove out of town 110miles and oil leaked from somewhere and dripped onto the exhaust manifold along the way and smoke was everywhere. The car was not anywhere near an abnormal temperature, so I relaxed for about an hour and when I got to my destination I had a mechanic raise it on the lift and find the leak. He went straight for the head gasket and it looked nasty in there. So we concluded it probably leaked there, but the gunk sealed it back up. I'm not going to spend the money on a head gasket change. So I'm hoarding my cash for a new car just in case one day I have that dreaded blown head gasket. I've driven the car on this trip many times and it never even hiccuped.

3. Red oil leak that appears to be on the transmission. I'm going to find out on the next oil change if it's transmission or power steering fluid; and hopefully it will be a simple fix. Neither the transmission or the powersteering fluid are low. The car shifts and turns just fine

4. I think my car is running a little louder than it used to. Not mechanical noise, but the fans sure sound louder; which I detest, since I like a car to run quiet. The engine is still at the same sound it was when I got the car; I think the fans are making the car sound loud but they work fine. Maybe it's just me and I'm anal about that. If you have advice, I'd appreciate it.

So , that's it. No major problems save for the worry about the head gasket. I am well aware of how astoundingly great these cars are now and am quite impressed; but it's not going to last forever and I am not getting into a used car ever again if I can help it. I'm just planning for the worst but treating the car good and hoping for the best. I've spent money keeping this car going and treating nuisance problems and every one told me to not buy a car with 163k miles when I got it but this forum convinced me it was okay; and my experience with the Civic too. I had super bad luck when I bought the car and two months later the differential crapped out. I put a used transmission and differential on it; I think it happened before I bought the car because the transmission removed from it had some yellow writing as from a salvage yard. I'm just not going to spend money to fix on any car any more that is getting older ( although if I had the funds, I'd keep this car going forever); hopefully I can save for a decent amount of time and place a nice down payment on a new car when the Legend finally buys the farm.

I think I burn about 1/2 to 1 quart between 3k miles and have put at least 30k miles in a year. I run my car most of my 8hr day and every now and then have to floor it, but I'm a smart car owner and on top of things. Here's to hoping for a few more years. :beerchug:

Thanks and sorry for the long post; if you can give advice on items to address I'd appreciate it.

 

[ALoneR]

did u change the water pump and timing belt at 180,000?

 

[E-Man]

Nope. Hence why I ask how to test them. That kind of job is not cheap around here. I cannot find any record showing it was done to the car before either.

Thanks

 

[S4gunn]

If your engine has worn valve seals and a potential fluid leak in the rack/tranny, I think you are on the right track about spending as little money on this car as possible.

That being said, the last thing I would do in the mode would be to go out and spend $200-400 bucks to buy ADDITIONAL 5-spoke OEM rims.

Consider looking for someone willing to give you their OEM rims + CASH in a trade locally instead of buying the OEM rims outright. I don't know how big Craiglist is in Miami but I'd start on a website like that one (or here even).

Another thought would be to forgo the TB/WP change and know that you will drive this car into the ground. If you are already 20K past the recommended interval and your engine isn't doing so well, it may be worth rolling the dice, saving your TB/WP money, and seeing how long you can drive the car before the engine really goes. Granted, this option may mean that you will be stranded somewhere or without a car for a period of time. Consider pricing out the cost of a replacement engine (JDM engine + install) or the approximate cost to replace this car with something else you'd rather drive minus what you could get with the car sans engine.

That way, when the engine dies in 10mi, 5Kmi, or 20Kmi from now, you can choose to either:
a) replace the engine with a JDM one
b) buy a newer car

Weigh this against the possibility of spending $600-800 on a TB/WP job and having the engine die in the near future. My assumption of course is that you can afford both option A and B and this is a risk worth taking for you. If you can only afford to replace the TB/WP and not the engine, you may want to take the safer route.
-g

 

[E-Man]

Thanks man.

I'd hate to drive a car into the ground; but that's what it's come to after owning used cars, they are a money pit. My engine is good as ever, never gives me any trouble; except for that white smoke after idling for more than half an hour.

The leak is still a mystery to me; I am getting nearer to the date to do the checks anyways. I'll take that engine swap advice into consideration; but I think I'm gonna say a prayer and save up my money for a down payment; I'm sick of used cars. Ithink even if I found a decent engine; I'd have to ensure the tm/wp are changed since I drive A LOT for my job and that repair would just creep up on me. It's like delaying the inevitable. This one has been great, but I'm scared of a big problem, since cars are unpredictable.

Thanks for the idea on rims! I will try that out.