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5207 messages,  Last post on Oct 17, 2006 at 8:05 AM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Civic, Honda Civic del Sol, Honda Civic CRX, Coupe, Hatchback, Sedan

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#4878 of 5207 Re: 1991 Honda Civic Main Relay? [djstreet] by vazkez1 Apr 09, 2006 (12:15 pm)
Replying to: djstreet (Apr 06, 2006 6:37 pm) Dude, Check up under your dash under the Steering Wheel for a kind of thick wire connection. This is your main ignition hot wire and if it is loose like mine was, it will cause your car to intermittently start or not start. It baffled me for months until I found it one day by chance. I kept thinking my battery was low on water which it was from going over too many mountanious speed bumps but that wasn't the problem after all. Look for loose, corroded, or broken electrical connections around the battery and underbelly of the dash/steering column. The vibration of the car or your legs bumping around the steering column could likely be breaking your electrical power. Vakez
#4879 of 5207 Loosing Oil by mogas Apr 08, 2006 (5:55 pm)
Please tell me if this is normal:   I have a 1997 Honda Civic EX Coupe (about 85,000 miles on it), automatic transmission, well maintained and maintenance it kept up on it. I have owned it since 2000, bought it used with 25,000 miles on it.   I changed the oil about 2 months ago and went to check the oil level today and noticed it we a bit low (just above the bottom "low" circle). I have been having to add about a quart (maybe a little less) total since the oil change two months ago (2500 miles ago) to keep the level normal. This has not happened in the past. I also noticed some grayish blue smoke (VERY small amout) exit the exhaust pipe for only about 5 seconds after start up (from a cold start), after that there is no smoke even if you gun the gas it stays clear of smoke.   There are no oil spots on the ground under the car at home or at my parking location at work. So the car is not leaking oil externally. And other than loss of oil the car runs flawlessly.   Is this normal for an older engine with lots of hilly city miles on it or should I run it to a mechanic ASAP?   I have had ZERO problems with this car since I owned it and have had to spend money only for tune-ups every 2 to 3 years. It is due for a tune up later this year.   Any information would be helpful. Replies to this message: tunercrazy (Apr 09, 2006 5:49 am) mogas (Apr 09, 2006 11:53 am) sheldo1 (Apr 09, 2006 6:35 pm) tunercrazy (Apr 10, 2006 6:35 pm) and 1 more... isellhondas (Apr 11, 2006 1:20 pm)
#4880 of 5207 Re: Loosing Oil [mogas] by tunercrazy Apr 09, 2006 (5:49 am)
Replying to: mogas (Apr 08, 2006 5:55 pm) mogas,    my 97 has +100,000 on it and it runs fine, aside from a few more clicks of the starter than normal at start-up. I think i have a few soulutions for yor.  You say you live in a hilly area? I am no mechanic, but the oil might be leaking somewhere from your crankcase when you are going up or down hills, someplace the oil wouldn't be able to reach on flat ground. That would explain why it's not in your driveway, and why it's only leaking out a little bit.  Also, the car could have been drove hard during the break-in 6,000 miles and the rings in your engine didn't break-in right. If so, they aren't getting all the oil off your cylinder walls before the combustion chamber explodes, and your oil could be burning up slowly.You bought it used, so you have no idea what kind of havoc the previous owner inflicted on it.  There also might be some other part that needs changing related to your lubrication system. You said you've only done tune-ups, and some parts need replacing as the engine gets older. I'm going to have to buy a new water pump soon (not looking forward to it =))  It's not normal to have to add an entire quart of oil between oil changes, so i think you should find a trustworthy mechanic to take a look at the problem.( Make sure he doesn't try to sell you a new transmission or something like that. I have been witness to too many mechanic scams.) Please re-post when you find out what your problem was. Replies to this message: mogas (Apr 09, 2006 11:53 am) sheldo1 (Apr 09, 2006 6:35 pm) tunercrazy (Apr 10, 2006 6:35 pm) sheldo1 (Apr 10, 2006 8:34 pm)
#4881 of 5207 Re: Loosing Oil [tunercrazy] by mogas Apr 09, 2006 (11:53 am)
Replying to: tunercrazy (Apr 09, 2006 5:49 am) Thank you very much for the reply tunecrazy. I think you are right about burning small amounts of oil. I jacked the car up today to take a peek under it to see if I can see any possible oil leaks. Everything, crankcase included, appears clean and tight.   How much do you think it'd cost to have the piston rings replaced?   I very strapped for cash at the moment so do you think driving the car for a few more months with this minor problem will cause any catastrophic damage?   I know you are not a mechanic but you sure as hell know more than I do about these things   Thank you again for your reply tunecrazy! Replies to this message: sheldo1 (Apr 09, 2006 6:35 pm) tunercrazy (Apr 10, 2006 6:35 pm) sheldo1 (Apr 10, 2006 8:34 pm)
#4882 of 5207 Re: Loosing Oil [mogas] by sheldo1 Apr 09, 2006 (6:35 pm)
Replying to: mogas (Apr 09, 2006 11:53 am) If you are only burning a quart of oil every 2500 miles, I wouldn't worry about it. I believe this would be considered normal anyway.
#4883 of 5207 A couple questions regarding Honda Civic 2000 by rd4ever Apr 10, 2006 (10:49 am)
1. Alright, recently while moving I have been hears a lot of grinding or squeeking coming from the front right side of my car. It occurs with and without the brakes being applied.   2. Whenever the gas is applied the in dash brake light turns on.   Any idea as to what's going on? Thanks.
#4884 of 5207 Re: Loosing Oil [mogas] by tunercrazy Apr 10, 2006 (6:35 pm)
Replying to: mogas (Apr 09, 2006 11:53 am) nah... it'll be ok as long as you keep the oil level normal by adding more, it should be fine until you do have some extra $. Make sure you take the cheapest approach first, then try the next step. Piston rings themselves aren't expensive( Only a very small chance that's actually the problem), but you'll get slammed with labor charges because they basically have to strip your entire engine down to the block so they can unbolt the pistons to get them out. If the mechanic finds something cheap like a seal that's causing the problem, try that. In other words, save the worst for last. That will probably solve your problem, especially because your engine is still fairly new. I doubt it will need as serious work as ring replacements. I was hoping it was only a leak, I know how frustrating that's gotta be Replies to this message: sheldo1 (Apr 10, 2006 8:34 pm)
#4885 of 5207 Re: Loosing Oil [tunercrazy] by sheldo1 Apr 10, 2006 (8:34 pm)
Replying to: tunercrazy (Apr 10, 2006 6:35 pm) Guys,   Take a step back and take a good look before you start doing (or recommending) engine work on a car that only uses one quart of oil every 2500 miles. The cheapest solution is to keep adding oil. At that rate, you would only need 40 quarts (at most) in 100,000 miles. Hardly worth getting worried about when you look at it that way, is it?
#4886 of 5207 in Pakistan by gotroot Apr 11, 2006 (6:59 am)
Hi, i live in Pakistan and honda civics have been started to be made here. there are small issues like lock problems and indicator probs. how can one check for these small problems before buying a car
#4887 of 5207 Re: Loosing Oil [mogas] by isellhondas Apr 11, 2006 (1:20 pm)
Replying to: mogas (Apr 08, 2006 5:55 pm) The others gave you good advise.   You probably have valve guide seals that are starting to leak a bit...this is no big deal.   So what if you have to add a quart of oil every 2500 miles?   That is nothing and well within "normal" ranges.

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