Trans/ Clutch issues

[ThePhantum]

I'm looking at a clean, well taken care of 1989 Honda Accord LXi Coupe, 5spd with 167k. The car does have a issue, not sure if it's trans related or clutch? Gonna look at in the morning, this is what he says the car is doing......

"The transmission is acting oddly, it goes into gear OK, but it jerks a bit when driving the car. I tried to check the fluid level, but I cannot find the dipstick to check it, so we basically stopped driving it. That was between Christmas and New Year."

I'm thinking clutch?? Any Ideas??

[rocketman]

There is no dipstick on the 5 speed manual transmission on an '89, at least there's not one on my '89 DX. You check the fluid level by removing the fill bolt on the top of the tranny, passenger side of the engine bay, it's a 17mm head on the bolt. You stick your finger in to feel for fluid or simply overfill it until it runs out. Go to the manual in the beginning of this forum and you can see a picture of it (I tried to post one but I can't). So far as the description of the problem . . . could you have him go into a little more detail than "acting oddly and jerking a bit" ? That could be just about anything. Most of the 5 speed tranny problems I've heard about are noise related, popping out of gear, won't go into gear, grinding, etc. More detail? BTW, if this '89 had decent care, at 167k it's worth looking at. How much $$$? Rocketman

[ThePhantum]

There is no dipstick on the 5 speed manual transmission on an '89, at least there's not one on my '89 DX. You check the fluid level by removing the fill bolt on the top of the tranny, passenger side of the engine bay, it's a 17mm head on the bolt. You stick your finger in to feel for fluid or simply overfill it until it runs out. Go to the manual in the beginning of this forum and you can see a picture of it (I tried to post one but I can't). So far as the description of the problem . . . could you have him go into a little more detail than "acting oddly and jerking a bit" ? That could be just about anything. Most of the 5 speed tranny problems I've heard about are noise related, popping out of gear, won't go into gear, grinding, etc. More detail? BTW, if this '89 had decent care, at 167k it's worth looking at. How much $$$? Rocketman

He said I can have it for $900. Kinda figured there was a fill bolt but don't want to tell him to much, he may want more LOL. I'm going to drive it Monday, the car belongs to his brother, so he should have the title then. The way he is describing it sounds like a broken transmission mount. Mainly vibrates and shakes when driving it. For the price I'm half tempted to see if I can get it a little cheaper, load it up and go, worry about it once I get it home. The body is straight and no rust but has a cheap Maco paint job. Here's a couple of pics, sorry crapy cell phone gonna take better pics in the morning, think it's a fair price?

[hondalude86]

From what i can tell it looks great. If its driveable, id say 900 is tye most you should pay for this particular car to get a great deal. As far as he knows this car might need a new trans! The car looks looks super clean even with a maco paint job. Id say scoop tgis little gem up!

[Dr_Snooz]

The car looks great, though I'm always skeptical when someone is selling a car for someone else, doesn't have clear title, etc. Oh and there's that little problem with the transmission...

I'm curious why they think it's a trans problem and not a CV axle problem or something going on with the engine.

[ThePhantum]

The title is a clear title, thank god LOL I think they have no clue, no mechanical skills at all? The Car will drive threw all 5spds and rev. with no popping out of gear or noise. He says it feel like the trans is shaking, so for the most part a vibration. They are to scared to drive it and don't want to put any more money in it. No noise from the motor either and has paper work of the timing belt and water pump being replaced. I'm starting to think the original Idea was to send it to the junk yard but the older brother is trying to get something for it more than the local $200 Junkyards give here. I can't wait to drive it. Personally I would love to do a B16a swap in it and cruise

[Dr_Snooz]

You should definitely buy it then. Could just be a bent rim or something stupid.

[ThePhantum]

The car seems to be well worth the $900?

The bad, my son was sick Thursday and stayed home from school. Now I have it Top things off I won't be able to go out there till Thursday and someone else is interested in it, or so he says

Well maybe I will get lucky? If not guess it wasn't meant to be, as they say you snooze you loose but I will keep searching!!

Pic as promised

[ThePhantum]

The interior.....

[Dr_Snooz]

I don't think you'll regret the purchase. Just drag yourself over there and get it. It's super rare to find a 3g with decent paint.

[import racer]

Yeah crawl over there and get it,at that price plus it's a two door to boot.

[MessyHonda]

yeah thats a nice looking coupe

[ThePhantum]

Well got some not so good news tonight. He decided to take the car for a spin, just so it would be sitting and now it does this......

"The car surges and tries to pop out of gear, and makes a swishing noise when the car is moving (slowly). Now the car moves fine, but there is something definitely wrong with the transmission."

He also said he didn't even want to attempt going past 1st. I like the fact the body is solid but I've never had a stick shift do that on me? Does that sound like a Trans or clutch part

Also think I should move on and try to find another? Or what would be a fair price on this?

[Dr_Snooz]

I'm really not convinced that this is a trans issue. Well, trying to pop out of gear probably is a trans issue. The surging is probably a vacuum leak or low coolant. The swishing sound could be a wheel bearing, dry speedo cable or even just some shmutz on the tire. Strange things happen when cars sit. They will exhibit all kinds of symptoms when you restart them again.

The only thing I would be worried about is the popping out of gear. If the trans is bad, it's really hard to find parts for them and good rebuilt units are getting scarce. I got my rebuilt trans from ManTrans in Florida. I highly recommend them.

Just get down there and drive the car. It should be pretty obvious what's going on. I'm not good with valuations, but start at $300 and see where you end up.

[AZmike]

If the engine or transmission mounts are bad the engine movement make knock it out of gear.

[ThePhantum]

Thanks for the advice. I'm gonna try to get it cheap, I hate to pass this up. The thing I love the most is the condition of the body and interior.

[TotaledTL]

When the motor mts. went south on my auto the axle(s) would pop out enough that it wouldn't pull- so I first thought it was the transm. Take somebody w/ you who has some auto repair exp. to look at it & go from there. It might be a relatively easy fix.

[ThePhantum]

I have him talked down to $600, I think at that price I can't go wrong. Gonna start making arrangements to tow it home.

[2oodoor]

I have him talked down to $600, I think at that price I can't go wrong. Gonna start making arrangements to tow it home.

seal the deal and take delivery of it asap!

Sounds more like a clutch cable out of adjustment to me, along with mount somewhere, a bad tire as well.
These are tough reliable cars and well worth putting some TLC in because it is better than a car payment, they go pretty quickly on the road and get good MPG. Cosmetic stuff can be found here and there in junkyards.

[ThePhantum]

seal the deal and take delivery of it asap!

Sounds more like a clutch cable out of adjustment to me, along with mount somewhere, a bad tire as well.
These are tough reliable cars and well worth putting some TLC in because it is better than a car payment, they go pretty quickly on the road and get good MPG. Cosmetic stuff can be found here and there in junkyards.

I am, going to try and bring it home over the weekend!!

By the way is your painted orange? If so do you have a pic / build thread? That looks bad ass

[obdriver6]

I'm glad your going to take it and $600 seem like a very good deal!

[2oodoor]

I am, going to try and bring it home over the weekend!!

By the way is your painted orange? If so do you have a pic / build thread? That looks bad ass

that avatar is my LX sedan and I enhanced the color when I made the avatar pic lol. thanks though!
One of the 3geez i bought , a DX, sounded just like you describe and it was just the clutch way out of adjustment. Took about five minutes to pull the cable end out up at the clutch fork and spin the turnbuckle thing a few turns and put it back in. A CV axle repl. and polyurethane window weld filled mod on the mounts and it was good to go.