*** I will soon be a paying member, but for now would like to use this as a place holder if possible.***
Current compression numbers, 1-185 2-180 3-178 4-183 4/28/2011
This site has been very helpful through the years of my Accord ownership. It is very strange how no car other than older Hondas (Acuras) feel comfortable to me. I have owned 3 3g Accords, one 2g Integra, and a 3g Prelude. Of those vehicles the Accord was/is by far my favorite though they are all very similar.
A little about me; I am a 32 year old who has a mechanical knack but still far behind the curve. I have been lurking on this site for years taking in information and getting helped with a couple of problems.
I name all of my cars and this Accord will be referred to from here on out as Honda-Pooper or H.P. (don’t ask)
So gas is getting expensive and the H.P. is by far the most efficient vehicle I own. Needless to say it is getting driven a lot more. Because I am driving the H.P. so much more it is time to spend some money making her right. Please don’t expect anything in this build to move quickly and I will be doing nothing revolutionary. Right now the furthest my plans are going is OBDI and that is more for reliability and economy (ok ok I do want to screw around with tuning a little bit).
The Honda-Pooper was purchased from one of those shady dealerships. When I saw her I had to have her as she met all of my 3g Accord requirements (88-89, sedan, 5spd). One week later I paid $1200 for her. The drive home was only 5 miles, but I could tell things were not right with this car. The CEL light was not coming on when the ignition was first turned on was a huge indicator that the fuel injection system was not completely happy. The second major indicator was that the car would NOT start when it was hot. As soon as I got home I moved the seat forward and got my codes. The coolant temp sensor code was the only one flashing so I checked it out. It turns out they had they coolant temp sensor hooked to the temp cut switch which turns on the condenser fan above 226F when the ignition is off! I switched the plugs and no more codes!
I purchased the car in July without a working A/C and after getting her running ok with no codes I parked her and tore down the ENTIRE A/C system in search of the blockage. One 0-ring set, some R134 (I have since moved to Duracool refrigerant and it is Eleventy BILLION times better than R134) pieces, an expansion valve, and one month later the A/C was working. No I was able to driver her back and forth to work!
Over the years I did very little to the car, new tires, O2 sensor, plugs, etc. I did rear end someone which did some slight damage to the front of the car, bent the condenser to its limit without rupturing and exposed some stupid crap those idiots I bought the car from did. After the wreck I drove the H.P. home with a timing belt that had jumped several teeth and a driver side motor mount that was not attached! It turns out those idiots@$#@#$@ I purchased the car from didn’t tighten the block to motor mount bracket bolts up very tight. The outside of the bolt holes in the block casting cracked away. Fortunately there was enough depth left to reattach the bracket.
Problems with the H.P. right now: Getting code 2, one of my O2 sensors is bad, but I am not sure which is for the B sensor Tan or green ( I will look at the wire color)?
The casting on the head for the power steering pump bracket is cracked off. I have one bolt and a brace I built holding the power steering pump in. I don’t really want to buy another head as the one I have is good, but have no choice.
Upper ball joints in the front are toast
Time for new tires again
Needs new muffler
Rear springs are saggy. I need something heavy duty but do NOT want to lower. If anything I wouldn’t mind another ½” up all around.
Preventative stuff I plan on doing: All suspension bushings, all ball joints, bearings and fuel pump.
I just found out, about 2 hours ago, that my commute is going to increase from 38 miles one way to about 60 miles one way. Because of this I am funneling more funds into the Honda-Pooper and less funds into the other vehicles/boat. I might even go as far as looking for another older Honda in a year or so.
Now for some pictures:
This is the good side, front passenger fender is done and missing a wheel cap on the front passenger wheel.
WOW, what a mess. This thing was treated like crap before I bought it. Yeah, I was lazy and just threw a filter right on the intake, but you have to understand until recently even though I love this car I viewed it as a beater. Now the Honda-pooper is GOLD to me.
My 2" receiver. I couldn't live without this mod. Notice the busted to hell bike rack. Took all of 15 minutes to build and I wanted something I wouldn't have to worry about beating the crap out of on rocks or going down driveways.
YAY! for cruise control and timing belt covers that like to be eaten by their timing belts! But most of all, YAY! for assholes that don't secure the motor mount bracket to block bolts!
How in the hell did this happen? The only thing I can figure is that this was a junk yard engine, or came out of another car and it got smacked hard. Or someone really f-ed up and cross threaded this bolt. Regardless, the only way I am getting that bolt back in is with a new head.
I think I have the wrong front motor mount bracket. I read some where on the site that the cast front mount was for 89 LXI Auto's only and is 1/4" taller. This would make a lot of sense.
This Friday I will be getting new tires and ordering parts.
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