hondacrx2

As stated above, I am new to the 1.7 engines. I have dealt with B series and 1.6 (Y8&Z6) for years. I bought an 04 5spd ex 160k for a commuter vehicle for work. I have a few questions about the engine. I would appreciate any input you guys have or advice. Thanks in advance.

1. I have heard these engines are notorious for headgasket going out. Is this true? Also is there something that specifically causes this? And is it preventable? I have never had a B or D series headgasket go out on my. As long as you do fluid changes and don't let it overheat I thought you were always good. Is this not the case for the 1.7's?

2. Will a daily highway commute cause any negative effects on the engine? As stated above the car is a 5spd EX and the gear ratios are shorter then I expected. Will the constant high Rpms on the highway harm the car? My JDM B16 had even shorter gears. But I never dailyed it on the highway. I plan to swap a HX trans in when/if the clutch ever goes out.

3. I have a air bag light on in the car. The car will need inspected in January. Is this an easy fix? I did some research and it appears to be a common problem with the cars. Is this correct?

Additional info:

The vehicle was a 2 owner and has a clean carfax. It was bought brand new at a local Honda dealer and traded back in. I then purchased it before it went to auction. Trans shifts smooth. All regular maintenance seems to have been done. Engine was dry and no oil or coolant leaks. Engine was dusty and dirty so it wasn't pressure washed. Oil came out dark but I didn't see any coolant and it didn't look like choc. milk. Coolant is nice and green. No white residue under radiator cap. Car is now running 5w-20 mobile 1 high-mileage full syn with mobile 1 oil filter.

lazlong

1. It all depends on how it's driven. Drive it like a car and not a race car and you should be fine. You have to remember these are city cars and are geared that way. You can rev it good when accelerating, but sustained rpm's isn't good.

2. I wouldn't worry about just a commute. I commuted 45min one-way (half-city, half-highway) for years in the Texas heat with no problems.

3. Don't know, been too long since I had my Civic.

NDNV

1. There are specific tests that can be done to check for a leaking head gasket. Don't wait until it starts to overheat. I noticed lack of heat as my first indication of a leaking HG.

3. There are recalls on the airbags. Take to a dealer for recalls. The inflators on them are too powerful and dangerous.

Was timing belt service performed?
My experience with these cars has been HG, O2 sensors, Cat conv, P1457 Evap by-pass shut valve and canister, bad alternator and bracket bolts, loss of A/C due to the A/C clutch needing to be adjusted/re-shimmed (don't need to replace the clutch and spring $$$).

hondacrx2

Thanks for the replies. The car is driven like the grocery getter it is. No race car driving here. As far as the timing belt. It appears to have been changed at some point. I don't know when exactly. I plan to put a new one on at 200k. I wouldn't wait for it to overheat. If it shows any signs of a headgasket going out I will park it and get it fixed. The civic is my 2nd car for commuting to work. I was just trying to figure out how common the headgasket issue was. They're not cheap to replace. The only reason I asked about rpms. Is the ex tranny is so short and I sit at 2,950rpms at 60mph for 2hrs a day for work. As for the airbag I'll take it to my local Honda dealer and have them take a look at it. Again thanks for the help guys.