Hello

Recently the experts here helped me out a lot with a problem I had with my '96 Civic CX Hatchback (throttle body warning light which proved to be a false positive).

My Civic is the world's greatest car - constant use for 6 years and one oxygen sensor gone down in that entire time. It has 100K miles on it. For the first 80K, I was very good about giving it the scheduled tune-ups recommended by Honda, always at a dealership. Some of my buddies bugged me about it, saying that I could spend less elsewhere, but I used the dealer's service anyway.

However, for the past 20K miles or so, I have not had any of the scheduled service done on it. I realize this is sort of stupid as service probably gets more important as the car gets older. Money is a bit tight this month but I want to do something. I am wondering - can anyone tell me which parts of the big Type 4 service job are the most important - i.e. if you were in my shoes and could only get a couple of things done, what would they be? The car is driven at least 2 hours every weekday in big city traffic and at least 5 hours a week on the highway.

I should say that I have continued to change the oil every 3500 miles like clockwork.

Any tips on what I should do right away, what can wait for a few more months? Thanks for any help, Nik

 

the big thing comming up is probably a valve job....

I hope you got your timing belt and water pump changed....

are the brakes doing well?

also, check the exhaust manifold. if there's some hairline cracks around your o2 sensor, honda will replace the entire manifold free of charge. there's a few threads in here, if you run a seatch. They warrenty that up to 150k, I believe....

edit: you can rotate the tires yourself....

also, with that manifold replacement above, you can get free spark plugs and a rotor, and a free oil change, filters, etc. Again, search for a thread about cracked exhaust manifold

 

nevermind, I'll save you some time

https://www.honda-acura.net/forums/s...haust+manifold

 

Hi

Thanks for the tips - yes, I got the timing belt and weater pump done at 60K miles. Is there a giveaway that the valve job needs to be done, or is it one of those things that I need to do before the signals start to show up?

I willl check the exhaust manifold. I noticed on the thread you gave me that it says the manifold job is for dx,lx, hx. I have a lowly cx - I wonder if I qualify. Anyway, I will check it out and I will call the 1-800 number if necessary. Thanks again for the input. Nik

 

well, I did a valve job at 120k.... I think thats what the service suggests, but I don't have any of that info in front of me....

but you should know when you'll need one... a bit of knock (but not too much)

well, the cx is the d16y7, so I don't see why it shouldn't carry over... Hell, the hx is a d16y5, so there's a good possibility that it will be on your car, too.

when you call that 1800 number, they'll ask for you VIN# (they asked for mine), and from there, they'll tell you whats up... very helpful and friendly people on the other side of the line

hih :thumbup:

 

OK - thanks for the info. I called Honda USA but they ran my VIN and had me call Honda Canada. The guy there was very helpful and gave me the info I needed.

I'll listen for the knock which indicates the valve job, but so far no problems. I am wondering if this is something that I should always use a Honda mechanic for or if a competent private guy can do the job just as well. I know, I know - the answer is, how competent is the private guy?

 

ah, thought you were american....

should have figured otherwise... you know how to type correctly

so do they cover your car as well?

well, it all depends.... There's two shops I completely trust. One is just your typical AC delco shop, but I work next door to them, and have had a good bit of work done with them. No problems yet (oil changes, brake job, timing belt/water pump, axle/cv boot, some other stuff)

the other shop I take it to is a Honda/Acura certified mechanic (specializes in the NSX, Legend, and Vigor). I've had tons of work done there (axles, tune ups, lug studs, misc. crap) with several cars (2 accords and 2 civics have been serviced with them). Again, no complaints.

If I ever need something major, I take it to the dealership. But only as a last resort, and even then, we've had problems with them. One time they didn't tighten a oil drain plug correctly, and the oil all came out on the way home ('90 accord). The car managed to last 170k and was having head gasket problems, so it was back at the dealership. The engine blew while they were 'working' on it, and that was that....

 

Hi 18sF

Well, Honda Canada said that my time was up, but they sometimes offer a 'goodwill' repair if circumstances warrant. I told the guy that I'm a freelance musician and that they should take pity on me and we had a laugh about that - he told me to call if a problem arises. He took my name and VIN, so we'll see Hopefully it doesn't come up.

Re: the dealerships - yes, I've had mixed results with them too. One was great, taking care of an engine check light problem for free (!!). Another one that did a Type 2 service for me told me that my cv boots needed replacing. I said ok, but that I needed to do it the following month. Then a few weeks later I had an exhaust heat shield come loose, and took it to a local guy. While he was under the car I asked him to check out the cv boots - he tells me to come under and take a look, and they were perfect!! He told me that they were in great shape. So there you go... anyway, I have been crawling under the car every once in a while to check out the cv boots - someone told me that I shouldn't let them crack because then the lube will leak out??

Thanks for taking the time to respond. Nik