Honda #4

^ Heh. Sometimes I roll down the windows just to hear the exhaust note. But I'm a dork like that.

So once I got the gaskets in, it was time to clean the engine bay, a job I ended up being completely unprepared for. Here's the story:

First off, some more pics of the oily carnage.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9744_.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9747_.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9745_.jpg

I sprayed some foaming engine degreaser on there and went at it with a wire brush. But it was hard for me to reach into most of the crevices, and I couldn't access anything with the hose.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9749_.jpg

As you can see, it didn't do much. But I was running out of time. Also, I stepped on a bee while barefoot. However, I still had a problem. How was I going to rinse the engine cleaner off without a hose? Luckily, I found a solution:
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9752_.jpg

And here's the "final result"
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9753_.jpg

Stay tuned! More to come later today.

The next day, realizing I wasn't going to get very far on my own, I roped my friend into dragging his GTI out to the car wash. It was hot as hell, and the AC wasn't on at my house, so I was pretty happy to get out and get a bit wet.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9755_.jpg

Jason's car needed a wash anyway.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9758_.jpg

That's me.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9763_.jpg

Pulled my car into the bay.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9769_.jpg

Scrubbin it down. Not pictured is the main reason I came, namely hitting the engine with the pressure washer.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9772_.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9770_.jpg

Spotted this IS F. Figured I'd share.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9764_.jpg

After the wash, we spent an hour or so polishing, vacuuming, etc.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9780_.jpg

So much better!
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/100_1923.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/100_1928.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9792_.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9793_.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/100_1937.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/100_1944.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/100_1946.jpg

Let's not forget the original reason I came out.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9796_.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9785_.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9786_.jpg
So much better!

I took the air filter off to clean it too. Took forever to dry, until we hit it with the vacuum. I'd have been stuck for a while if Jason hadn't thought of that.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...3529_9789_.jpg
Excellent!

One parting shot. I took this at the end of the night while dropping a DVD off at Blockbuster.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/100_1955.jpg

bling bling man lol

looks fresh man. come clean mine? :D she hasent been washed in a month and the dirt driveway has pwnt it... every day i can re write on the dust LOL its so thick

looks good...still need some nice rims but i hope thats next

Actually, it is next. I need tires, so I'm getting both at the same time. Just as soon as I have the cash. I'm thinking about Sparco Pistas, but I'm always looking out for a deal.

So today, even though it was incredibly hot out, I attempted to paint my exterior trim and windshield wiper arms. They were looking a little weathered.

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...529_11158_.jpg

I used a set of vinyl trim remover tools to pop off the side trim. They work great without scratching the paint. The only problem is that they're a bit too soft, and they get softer in the heat.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...529_11156_.jpg

Had to remove the inside door panels to get at the exterior door trim. Note the pen I found inside the door panel. I'm surprised that wasn't rattling around in there.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...529_11154_.jpg

The other thing I had to do to take off the door trim is remove this bolt. Didn't turn out to be very difficult. As soon as I put a socket wrench on it and applied just the slightest amount of force, it broke completely. Now I know why the driver's side one was missing. WTF?
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...529_11152_.jpg

Everything off!
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...529_11151_.jpg

The wiper arms got a coat of regular-ass spray enamel that I found in the basement. The rubber trim got Krylon Fusion.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...529_11148_.jpg

My neighbor parked his car outside.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...529_11147_.jpg


So now I have to get at least one new window trim piece. I basically broke all the clips on one side. Oh well. It was learning experience. Much like the painting. It's not as bad as the first time I had sex. At least the window trim is not on it's period. Anyways, I've said too much.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...529_11139_.jpg

It's hard to see the improvement... I think it looks a lot better though. You may also notice that I somehow decided it would be a good idea to use 100-grit sandpaper on the rubber trim before I painted it. Wow I amaze myself.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...529_11140_.jpg

The wiper arms definitely look a lot better.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...529_11141_.jpg

So that's what I have to show for myself. Slightly improved trim, another reason to go to the junkyard, and sunburn all over my back. Also my balls were so sweaty that it felt like I had gotten Astro Glide all over them. Awesome afternoon if I do say so myself.

I thought i would highlight my favorite parts of your post. Pure poetry.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by speedpenguin

So today, even though it was incredibly hot out, I attempted to paint my exterior trim and windshield wiper arms. They were looking a little weathered.

Oh well. It was learning experience. Much like the painting. It's not as bad as the first time I had sex.At least the window trim is not on it's period and sunburn all over my back.. Everything off!
my balls were so sweaty that it felt like I had gotten Astro Glide all over them.
The only problem is that they're a bit too soft, and they get softer in the heat.


Anyways, I've said too much. Awesome afternoon if I do say so myself.

---

Too awesome. Thank you sir.


In other news, I broke the clips on the passenger side window trim. When I reinstalled it, there were holes exposed along the top of the door. I didn't think anything of it until yesterday right before a big storm hit, when I realized it was about to be raining inside my door.

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...529_11139_.jpg

I grabbed a roll of tape and dashed out the door. This is the result.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ket_11598_.jpg

Yeah, that's how I roll.

looks better now!!
spray paint is love <3

and thoses trim bolts on the door broke off on every car ive owned haha

Clean! Can't wait to see it with new rims on it. No idea why I never posted in here before :squint: but I'm looking forward to seeing more of her!

Thanks for posting then. I use this thread to keep me motivated to doing things to the car.

I took it out for an emissions inspection Tuesday. Here's the result...

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ket_11664_.jpg

This sucks. Check out the legal limit compared to where I am. I guess the first thing I'm going to have to do is check the timing.

This happened about a week ago. Really not sure how or why. The mounting tab on my rear bumper seems to have broken off. It won't stay on.

I have some ideas on how I might fix it (Glue) but I'm looking for better suggestions. Anyone?

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ket_14068_.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ket_14069_.jpg

Yesterday, after the rain stopped, the weather was cooler than it had been for a very long time, so I ventured outside to change my oil. Long overdue job. I also changed my valve cover gasket. The new gaskets did not solve the problem. Hopefully this will.

You can see the oil back on the block. There's not as much as before, but there's still definitely more than there should be.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ket_16997_.jpg

I think this is where the oil was leaking from. Note how the last gasket I installed a year ago didn't fit right and I ended up having to use gasket sealer on it. In retrospect this was a bad idea.
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ket_16989_.jpg

Adjustin' stuff
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ket_16991_.jpg

3.5 quarts of Mobil 1, a new filter, and a degreased engine block later, I'm good to go. hope this one doesn't leak...
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/a...ket_16995_.jpg

Now I just need to figure out what caused me to fail my emissions test so badly, fix the rear bumper, and get some trim for that passenger side, and I'll be... Right back where I started.

how old is the cap rotor plugs and leads? and thermostat and old oil can also cause failed emissions , and did u do a valve adjustment when you changed the gasket? allways a good time to and can also cause u to fail emissions.

and hmm to fix the bumper i would try a screw on the backside where its not visible thats how i have my accords rear bumper up it did the same thing!

I adjusted the valves when I first bought the car. The thermostat has also been replaced since I bought it.

The car was overdue for an oil change, so there's that to consider, but I don't think that would have caused it to fail by itself. I think the timing might be advanced. I'll check more stuff out this weekend I hope.

Thanks for the suggestions man.

i lolled at the first attempt to clean the engine hahahhaa. they are a mission to get anything into them (wire brushes) to clean

i bet it runs a bit smoother now

Definitely seems to.