[Legend"11]

I just bought my 2nd Legend two weeks ago and I'm really having a change of heart with it. I'm just going to get an Accord or Civic and call it a day. I know two people locally who have had BHG and I want to sell it before it gets this someday... I will take a hit on selling it I'm sure, but I learned my lesson. I would take a hit if I wait to be the next victim as well. I don't know how you guys can drive this car and enjoy it with all these BHG problems on here. It is just not worth all the added stress.

I have 90 Honda Civic with 202,000 miles on it and I trust that car with my life. The Legend though just does not seem like a reliable car. I'm sorry, but is there anyone else on this boat as well?

I make good money so it's not that I can't afford it, but I want a car that I feel like I can take on a road trip and enjoy the trip and not worry constantly about that damn needle... It definitely sucks...

 

[CraigB]

Sorry to hear you are giving up so easy. I've had mine for a couple of weeks now and wouldn't worry about taking it anywhere...

 

[Dreams94coup]

you have been a member since 2002 and you have 255 posts but yet you make it seem as if this is all new to you :headscrat

but yea i know how you feel though i already had a bhg but im way too in love with vanessa to let her go

 

[Legend"11]

I probably had SHG as well in my first Legend cause my car would smoke white from time to time, but being a kid and not hearing a ton of BHG horror stories back then I assumed it was burnt oil cause of the mileage... I don't mean to taint the rep of the Legend anymore because I really do like the car, but the stress and paranoia of getting one is just too high for me. I'm an easily stressed out person as it is and I don't want to add to it... I just wish the Legend was as rock solid as the LS400 in terms of reliability. I like the Legend much better though... I just don't like always wondering and worrying if I'll be the next...

 

[r3dw00d]

I feel you bro, I've had a couple bouts of BHG paranoia, and am going through my second BHG now on my sedan. Super Frustrating Yeah, but for me the benefits outweigh the hassle.

I have been able to feel secure in my legends by taking all the necessary precautions, oem t-stat, new radiator, type II coolant, watching coolant levels, pressure testing the system, and never driving hard till the engine is warm....

My current BHG issues came after a couple years of bad valve stems and a few months with no functioning temp gauge (previous owner).... to me, it could have been avoided...

My point, get the cooling system ROCK solid, and then you have a car that will always be there for you (with normal maintenance). I sold my civic in september, 150k and it was one of the best I ever owned. Still, It can never compete with the legend in terms of ride quality, comfort, overall build quality and performance.

Don't sell it, take your time and go over the car slowly, get it right and your legend will love you back....

 

[ari_one]

I just finished repairing the 3rd BHG on a civic last week, I love civics and legends but when you get over 150k it is all about how well the car has been taken care of and luck. Best of luck to you..

 

[CaptainII]

If you are that afraid and stressed out, let it go, but me, I watch my temp guage and check fluids and feel comfortable. I have only had my Legends for 4 months and two months both sedans and both the same color and I love them!

BTW this is my first post

 

[L3GDKANG/JDMKANG]

what we have here is a person who owns a Legend not everyone on here are Legend lovers like most of us! Some are on here just because they own a Legend not because the love their Legends! sorry to see you let it go but gl with your next car!

 

[samblaze]

It's not that stressful. A simple HC test would reveal the issue and when I had an SHG this forum taught me how to fix it. That said, if you looking for a car that has a lower cost of maintenance then yes the accord is for you.

 

[MarcD]

but when you get over 150k it is all about how well the car has been taken care of and luck. Best of luck to you..

^^I think this statement kind of sums it up. Some diligent maintenance and some luck is what is needed. But, I do hear you on the paranoia part. Why not get a $25 oil analysis done first to give you a good idea of the condition of your engine? This can tell you volumes. The only thing they can't detect is if you are burning some coolant out the exhaust, but then again, you can check your spark plugs and get an indication of that (besides some loss of coolant)
I just had my black coupe out for a trip and everytime I am one of them I always think- damn I love these cars

 

[endofmankind]

I am sorry to hear that you have already thrown the towel. I had a civic once and like you. I would trust it with my life because that puppy never died on me nor had a flat somewhere or stranded me in the middle of the night. I am not going to let a BHG scare me. It will just be an excuse to do a 3.5 swap:lol:
i will be driving this car until it catch on fire:rofl: after all Acura is a Honda brand.
best of luck to you

 

[Legend"11]

A question that might ease my mind a bit....

IF I REPLACE THE RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, HOSES, ETC... AND IF MY HEADGASKET WERE TO GO, WOULD THE OIL/COOLANT RUIN MY COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENTS? OR WOULD A SIMPLE FLUSH RID OF DAMAGING OIL IN THE COOLANT PORTION AND WOULD AN OIL CHANGE FIX ANY COOLANT THAT IS IN THE OIL PASSAGEWAYS...

The reason I ask is if I did do an RL motor (3.5) would this require all new components under the hood? Did Acura correct the big flaws with the 3.2 engine in the 3.5 or is it still BHG prone? How much does an RL swap cost (including motor, ecu, parts, etc...) + Labor...

I honestly can't see me replacing the headgasket to have it blow in another 25,000, but would be open to an RL swap especially if the car would be more robust....


EDIT:
Also, just to make my head think clearer a bit; I read a BHG DIY on this site and that is pretty impressive. How hard would this be for the average joe (I have changed out a radiator, thermostat, water pump, timing belt on a 1990 Civic). That is pretty impressive that someone made a DIY on here... Any special tools needed for this? And how long would a new Head Gasket last for seriously... I mean If I could get another 100k from it then maybe BHG isn't the end of the world as I'm thinking it is... The Legend is sweat enough and I do consider myself a Legend lover... A Honda Accord (even brand new) will never turn a head as hard as this car would

 

[samblaze]

^ You want to get a hold of Matt (sr5guy) for all your 3.5 questions. AFAIK the 3.5L motor is less prone to HG problems. A lot of time with Legend gasket failures oil and coolant will not appear to mix. The leak allows coolant to leak back into the cylinders when not running and it is then burned off in combustion and it forces air into the cooling system when running. Thus, your internal components may not be damaged. Hoses which have distended/hardened I would replace and use high quality clamps.

 

[Legend"11]

^ You want to get a hold of Matt (sr5guy) for all your 3.5 questions. AFAIK the 3.5L motor is less prone to HG problems. A lot of time with Legend gasket failures oil and coolant will not appear to mix. The leak allows coolant to leak back into the cylinders when not running and it is then burned off in combustion and it forces air into the cooling system when running. Thus, your internal components may not be damaged. Hoses which have distended/hardened I would replace and use high quality clamps.

Thanks; How long can one expect out of a HG repair? I've seen some on ther 2nd and even 3rd!!!:squint: Has anyone did their HG with OEM Honda Parts and still not had any issues for a shitload of miles. I just don't want to drive like a grandma everytime and I like to punch it every now and then (going on highway, etc..)

 

[ACK N UP]

Legend 11 I feel you. My mom owned a Legend back in the late 90s before I even thought about getting one and she had a BHG. The car was like brand new after it was repaired. I now own one with 216000 miles on it and i've never had a BHG. *knocks on wood* But if it was to happen, I wouldn't waste my money on a HG replacement, I would just do a 3.5 swap. But, a BHG is the last of my worries. I take really good care of my Legend. Just take care of it and it will take care of you.

 

[Daniel_S]

Head gaskets wear out over the time, this is not limited to Acura. Mercedes, Ford, GM, all often have blown headgaskets when they´re 15 years old with 100.000 miles or more. My garage is full of old HG I´ve replaced during the last years (I save them if they show uncommon wear).

Where´s the problem? My Legend has the factory HG but if it fails, I´ll replace it. One extended weekend and it´ll be fine again for the next 15 years. Properly done, you only have to do it once.

 

[Legend"11]

Good point. Maybe I'm stressing this BHG too much because I read nothing but bad stuff (posts that people are complaining or diagnosing)... Doesn't mean they are all bad...

I prefer doing DIY because I save some money, learn something new, build a bond with my car, and know it is done right (as opposed to somone just slapping it together)

DIY Headgasket= $500 total cost in parts?
3.5 RL Swap= ?

I guess 500 bucks isn't all that bad for something that should last another 15 years as stated above... I think it just sounds like the end of the world because when people hear Engine problem or Tranny problem they generally run screaming...

I look at the car in the driveway and it is SEXY:yes:

 

[ActionJackson]

Head gaskets wear out over the time, this is not limited to Acura. Mercedes, Ford, GM, all often have blown headgaskets when they´re 15 years old with 100.000 miles or more. .

Daniel is correct. I just replaced the HG on my Ford van (351 Windsor) after 220,000. Happens to all cars eventually.......

 

[maracura91]

as an owner its something to look out for, not forward to, my previous 91LS sedan had 254K on the engine, and smoked like a chimney. the smoke wasn't a BHG it was valve seals, but you would never know the engine, had a problem unless it idled for five minutes or so.

many times i left the engine running, and attempted to start the car that's already running. the engine was running that smooth, wouldn't even know it was on. loved the car but sold it for $500, and got another two months later from a forum member. Legends do live on.

 

[OnThe3rdDay]

If it makes you feel better I just got back from the garage in bridgeport. I'm doing the head gaskets on my 93. Between the resources on this site and the helms manual, it's not too bad of a diy. Just dig in and do it if you have too. No need to be paranoid. Test before you invest. Like the guys said, doing things like pressure testing the cooling system etc b4 tearing the engine apart is not a bad idea. Like you said, it's only 500 bucks. Thats not too much to ask for the kind of cars we drive...think about the return on your investment!


p.s Removing injector clips sucks ass nipples