Hi there. I'm obviously a new member, and I'd just like to say hi. I've got a green '95 Integra LS 4D that I bought from my cousin about 4 years ago. It's got 120k on it, 60k of which were put on by me. I hope to have it until it totally falls apart, so I've tried to take better care of it than the last car I had ('85 Volvo 240 DL). I'm hoping to get lots of tips off this board, all I ask is that you bear with me if I ask some stupid questions. I'm not much of car person, but I'd like to start being one.

Rob R.

 

Hello and welcome,
you came to the right place for information. Just remember that most of your questions could most likely be answered by searching the board. I own a 2000 LS 4dr myself.

Enjoy your stay!

 

Wonderful part about integras; if you treat them right, they'll return the favor.

Welcome to HAN!

 

Here's one that didn't occur to me in that other thread... Did you replace the timing belt at 90k miles? If not, do it NOW. When it breaks, it'll bend some valves when they get hit by the pistons. My '95 owner's manual says INSPECT the belt every 30k, but there's no replacement interval. Honda's since changed their tune. I guess if the belt has cracks large enough to see, you've got at least a few hours before it breaks.

Then go over the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual. See if you can find what you & your cousin missed over the years...

 

Glad you're here.

 

Thanks. I think Haynes says to replace it at 90k, and I must admit that I haven't...but it's on my list of things to do SOON. It's not running right now (see ignition thread), so I'll pop the hood tonight or tomorrow to see if I notice any cracks.

Rob R.

 

I'll try and remember to do a search before posting new threads. Another board I visit regularly uses this style, and I hate it when multiple similar threads start showing up.

And thanks for the welcome!

Rob R.

 

Well, I'm a little slow on the draw this afternoon...h:

Welcome to HAN!

With regards to the timing belt, if the car has been sitting unused for a fairly long while, and it's already well past the replacement point, I'd definitely change the belt first, before even turning the motor over. As mentioned before, when it breaks, your valves will be mulched. :eek3: Be sure to replace the water pump and tensioner at the same time as the timing belt...should either of those fail or sieze, bad things can happen...h:

Overall, I think you're off to a good start. Enjoy your stay. :cheers:

 

Thanks for the welcome, and everyone here seems very friendly and helpful, so I plan to enjoy my stay.

The car has been driven almost every day since I bought it. It's been sitting unused since Saturday, though, when a problem with the ignition arose. Hopefully I'll be able to take care of that myself, and then I can find a shop to take care of the timing belt and water pump (third thread mention for these). This is the first I've heard of the tensioner.

Rob R.

 

When you change the timing belt, the water pump & tensioner are staring you in the face. Extra 1/2 hour, if that. If they're ok now, they probably won't last ANOTHER 90k. It sounds like you're not changing your own timing belt, so there's a big labor cost to change the belt. If your water pump starts leaking (or your tensioner pulley starts making noise) in 6 months, you're gonna have to pay the same labor AGAIN because the timing belt has to come off AGAIN to change either of those.

I changed my timing belt & didn't change the water pump. Then within a year my water pump started leaking. I did the work myself, but it was a nice day that I could have spent somewhere else besides changing a water pump. Your car, your money, your choice...