new (to me) 1988 LX-i Coupe!

[como 2nd gen civic]

Hello all, I just acquired a red 1988 LX-i Coupe, 240xxx miles in Columbia MO for $260 with a full tank of gas! Thats almost 25% of the purchase price! So far I had a new flex pipe welded in (i know, but it was cheaper and faster than the stock bolt on), put some new brake pads on the front and dug out another drivers side mirror from my honda pile (yea packrat-ism). So now im on the road and licensed! I fixed a few other annoying things:

seat belt/door light
windows
radio code (stock honda tape deck, although i think its from an early 90's honda as it has a cd changer hook-up and an anti-theft light)
drivers side saggy belt (DEALER WARRANTY, WOOT!)
hand cut and polished a tiny section of paint (I NEED a buffer!)

Still on the list:
New oil pan gasket
lube dizzy
oil/air/fuel filters
check plugs and wires
figure out clutch creep, its like the pressure plate never fully releases, the cables adjusted correctly (the previous owners replaced it, but had it with no slack, always pulling on the clutch), and at first it shifted fine, but now, its drivable, but only if you're ok w. rolling stops!

ideas for clutch:
maybe the new cable is shot
or...
the pressure plate is F'd up somehow

anyway ill post in the tech section now! (gotta get those 1st 5 posts!)

[89HatchbackLxi]

Welcome to the forum!

[MessyHonda]

car sounds like its going to be a nice project

[bryan6732]

Welcome from The Netherlands!

[Dr_Snooz]

Welcome from California!

[ecogabriel]

Welcome from hot-lanta!

Clutch was replaced by previous owner and now you have no free play but still it sounds like it does not disengage totally? I bet when you try to go into gear the transmission may grind a little no matter how nice you try to play with it... yeah, it sounds like the clutch. My 5G civic was doing something like you described, but after 180K on the OE clutch.

Anyway, before you fork big bucks for a new clutch and flywheel, get a friend to give you a hand lowering the transmission and doing the job yourself (doable, I did it alone including lifting the transmission afterwards) there are a couple of things you may check out that would cost next to nothing.

One, check oil level in the transmission. I do not know if that may cause what you experience, but it is nonetheless worth checking. You may use regular engine oil for refill, Honda MTF (3G guys love it) or synchromesh (I love it in my Civic). Engine oil is cheaper, and if you have a leak in the transmission (most lkely from the shaft seals) it would be best to fill with it before replacing the seals.

Two, I am not sure if it applies to these cars (mine is auto) but there is something else that may cause the same symptoms.
I had a VW where the clutch arm slipped, and the clutch would not disengage. Mechanic loosened a bolt, repositioned the arm, giving it more travel, and the problem was solved. Check the service manual or I hope someone that knows better chimes in.

Although any service manual in this website would do, there is a USDM 1989 service manual that is perfect for your car, down to the emission controls.

If, after those checks and others that may be suggested, you end up needing a new clutch, I got mine (Exedy) from here,
http://www.clutchcityonline.com/
Very good prices, and free shipping.
Also, do not waste time resurfacing your flywheel; just get a new one - Rockauto has them cheaper than the clutch site.

[obdriver6]

Welcome form Nevada!

[LXi88Dave]

seems like a great deal! u saved ur money to do all the required maintenance, upgrade, etc.

i just bought one too... working on my 5 posts.. ;-)