The One Million Mile Civic
10-11-2004, 11:01 AM
#1
The One Million Mile Civic...but not really...
I love Hondas. I believe in Hondas. I live by Hondas. Every car that I have bought for myself has been a Honda. Both of my brothers, both of my sisters, and my girlfriend all drive Hondas, mostly due to their experience with them and partially if not mostly to my influence.
I have done / am currently doing the fast Honda thing. My non-daily driver is a turbocharged Civic, which isn't the car this topic is about.
After turbocharging my 92 Civic, I decided it was time to buy a daily driver. It was a good thing too, because problems began arising with the turbocharged car, which was to be expected when boosting on an engine with nearly 200K miles and no internal work.
I sourced a 1990 Honda Civic DX Sedan [4 door] for roughly $1,500. It's an automatic, has AC/PS, and had 200,889 the odometer at the time of the purchase. For the most part it's a good car...gets at least 400 miles to the tank, AC blows cold, and I moved in my meager CD player and replaced the blown speakers with the OEM ones from my 92 Civic. The engine is the standard D15B2 Dual Point Fuel Injection. I've had the car for about 3 months and have put a little over 9,000 miles on it since. I've had to replace the alternator, one brake hose, and I'm going to do brakes all around next week. The car's paint job is completely oxidized, flaking/chipping, but is nearly dent free.
The goal is to break 1,000,000 miles with this car, with the original motor, original transmission, etc. Actually, I'd really like to be the one to PUT 1,000,000 miles on the car, so I'm actually aiming for 1,200,889 miles, but we'll get to that once I break 1,000,000. There have been Mercedes that have gone over 1,000,000 miles, I know. I think one even went over 2,000,000 miles...which is nuts. Someone told me there was an Accord that made it to 1,000,000 miles, but I can't confirm it. I've never heard of a Civic doing it though.
I'm going to rebuild the motor in a few months with all new OEM parts. I plan on sending the block off for clearance checks and honing/deck surfacing, then replacing all the bearings, seals, pistons/rings, and any rubber part on the motor. The head will be checked for level/resurfaced, new valve guides and seals, and replacing whatever else is necessary. Everything will be cleaned as well. While it's out, I may tear down the automatic transmission [my first time touching an auto] and check clearances/rebuild if necessary. A cheap-o DIY back to OEM color paint job may ensue later, just to pep the look of the car up.
The refreshed package will go back in and I'm going to drive the ever-loving **** out of the car. I put over 44,000 miles on my hatchback last year with ease. Next year I have at least two cross country trips planned, all of which will be made in said Civic. Slamming on the miles will take time, but time I have. I figure if I can put at least 50,000 miles on the car per year, it will take 16 years to break 1,000,000 miles. Thats the year 2020, haha, making the car 30 years old. Wow, that's far off. Anyhow...
Laugh if you want. Say it can't be done in a Honda. Ask why I would waste my time/money/effort. Slam me, flame me...whatever.
I'll update this thread over time with pictures, trips, mileage, etc.
********
Update, 11-Nov-2017:
Current Mileage: 410,000
So...13 years later and I still have the car, but no way am I going to make it to a million. I had high hopes, but was a delusional 20-something back then. My work commute is only 32 miles round trip, and I'm only doing between 10-15K per year. Not the original engine, did a 5-speed conversion, but I still am driving the car. I'd really like to get it to 500K. We'll see.
I have done / am currently doing the fast Honda thing. My non-daily driver is a turbocharged Civic, which isn't the car this topic is about.
After turbocharging my 92 Civic, I decided it was time to buy a daily driver. It was a good thing too, because problems began arising with the turbocharged car, which was to be expected when boosting on an engine with nearly 200K miles and no internal work.
I sourced a 1990 Honda Civic DX Sedan [4 door] for roughly $1,500. It's an automatic, has AC/PS, and had 200,889 the odometer at the time of the purchase. For the most part it's a good car...gets at least 400 miles to the tank, AC blows cold, and I moved in my meager CD player and replaced the blown speakers with the OEM ones from my 92 Civic. The engine is the standard D15B2 Dual Point Fuel Injection. I've had the car for about 3 months and have put a little over 9,000 miles on it since. I've had to replace the alternator, one brake hose, and I'm going to do brakes all around next week. The car's paint job is completely oxidized, flaking/chipping, but is nearly dent free.
The goal is to break 1,000,000 miles with this car, with the original motor, original transmission, etc. Actually, I'd really like to be the one to PUT 1,000,000 miles on the car, so I'm actually aiming for 1,200,889 miles, but we'll get to that once I break 1,000,000. There have been Mercedes that have gone over 1,000,000 miles, I know. I think one even went over 2,000,000 miles...which is nuts. Someone told me there was an Accord that made it to 1,000,000 miles, but I can't confirm it. I've never heard of a Civic doing it though.
I'm going to rebuild the motor in a few months with all new OEM parts. I plan on sending the block off for clearance checks and honing/deck surfacing, then replacing all the bearings, seals, pistons/rings, and any rubber part on the motor. The head will be checked for level/resurfaced, new valve guides and seals, and replacing whatever else is necessary. Everything will be cleaned as well. While it's out, I may tear down the automatic transmission [my first time touching an auto] and check clearances/rebuild if necessary. A cheap-o DIY back to OEM color paint job may ensue later, just to pep the look of the car up.
The refreshed package will go back in and I'm going to drive the ever-loving **** out of the car. I put over 44,000 miles on my hatchback last year with ease. Next year I have at least two cross country trips planned, all of which will be made in said Civic. Slamming on the miles will take time, but time I have. I figure if I can put at least 50,000 miles on the car per year, it will take 16 years to break 1,000,000 miles. Thats the year 2020, haha, making the car 30 years old. Wow, that's far off. Anyhow...
Laugh if you want. Say it can't be done in a Honda. Ask why I would waste my time/money/effort. Slam me, flame me...whatever.
I'll update this thread over time with pictures, trips, mileage, etc.
********
Update, 11-Nov-2017:
Current Mileage: 410,000
So...13 years later and I still have the car, but no way am I going to make it to a million. I had high hopes, but was a delusional 20-something back then. My work commute is only 32 miles round trip, and I'm only doing between 10-15K per year. Not the original engine, did a 5-speed conversion, but I still am driving the car. I'd really like to get it to 500K. We'll see.
Last edited by DaX; 11-13-2017 at 04:15 AM.
10-11-2004, 11:30 AM
#2
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Re: The One Million Mile Civic (DaX)
good luck to you
its true about that accord. the guy was like a "route mapper and timer" or something along thoses lines.
its true about that accord. the guy was like a "route mapper and timer" or something along thoses lines.
10-11-2004, 04:05 PM
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Re: (lanojp1)
if you rebuild it , it would mean absolutly nothing as it diidnt make the mileage with the origional engine and transmission but the rebuilt one. The other cars didnt have such work.
10-11-2004, 04:18 PM
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Re: The One Million Mile Civic (im_poor)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by im_poor »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">thats a hella lot of driving.</TD></TR></TABLE>hells yea... best of luck.
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10-11-2004, 07:24 PM
#11
Re: (vtecmissle)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtecmissle »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if you rebuild it , it would mean absolutly nothing as it diidnt make the mileage with the origional engine and transmission but the rebuilt one. The other cars didnt have such work.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Right...absolutely nothing. Well, I'm not doing this for anything other than to just do it. There isn't exactly a rule book to driving a car a million miles. I will still be using the original block/transmission etc, just replacing the wear parts. I highly doubt the cars that do go 1x10^6 miles are riding on original valve seals and piston rings. Who knows though...I could be wrong.
Right...absolutely nothing. Well, I'm not doing this for anything other than to just do it. There isn't exactly a rule book to driving a car a million miles. I will still be using the original block/transmission etc, just replacing the wear parts. I highly doubt the cars that do go 1x10^6 miles are riding on original valve seals and piston rings. Who knows though...I could be wrong.
10-11-2004, 07:31 PM
#13
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Re: (DaX)
without refreshing the memory, i bleve those benz you are referring to were diesels, engines whos internals inherently have a longer life expectancy. So, i would not expect you to not have to rebuild it since it is a gasoline engine...
have fun, good luck.
have fun, good luck.
10-11-2004, 08:25 PM
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Re: (DaX)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DaX »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Right...absolutely nothing. Well, I'm not doing this for anything other than to just do it. There isn't exactly a rule book to driving a car a million miles. I will still be using the original block/transmission etc, just replacing the wear parts. I highly doubt the cars that do go 1x10^6 miles are riding on original valve seals and piston rings. Who knows though...I could be wrong.</TD></TR></TABLE>I figure it's more of using the same car to get to the one million mile mark. If you have a piston bust and ***** the engine up to the point of not being able to reuse that same engine, then so long as you use a Honda engine as a replacement, that's really all that matters. I get the impression that this is to show what Honda's are capable of. Basically showing the world, "Hey, these Honda's hold up after a million miles." Maybe Honda will put you in a commercial when you reach this point.
Right...absolutely nothing. Well, I'm not doing this for anything other than to just do it. There isn't exactly a rule book to driving a car a million miles. I will still be using the original block/transmission etc, just replacing the wear parts. I highly doubt the cars that do go 1x10^6 miles are riding on original valve seals and piston rings. Who knows though...I could be wrong.</TD></TR></TABLE>I figure it's more of using the same car to get to the one million mile mark. If you have a piston bust and ***** the engine up to the point of not being able to reuse that same engine, then so long as you use a Honda engine as a replacement, that's really all that matters. I get the impression that this is to show what Honda's are capable of. Basically showing the world, "Hey, these Honda's hold up after a million miles." Maybe Honda will put you in a commercial when you reach this point.
10-11-2004, 09:40 PM
#17
Honda-Tech Member
Re: The One Million Mile Civic (DaX)
I've seen an 88' Accord with 289,XXX miles on it that came to work for a smog check!! cat. was gone so replaced it with an OEM unit $650 dollars Ouch!! just for the part alone, anyways it did pass smog, carburated too. but I never seen a honda with 300K or more.
Any of you guys/gals seen some realy high mileage hondas that are still running.
Any of you guys/gals seen some realy high mileage hondas that are still running.
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10-11-2004, 11:16 PM
#19
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Re: The One Million Mile Civic (CRX_1.8T)
Geez that would take me forever. My teg just turned 11 years old this month and it has 111,xxx on it. I've driven its been to 3 coutries and 6 different states in 2 time zones. It's my daily driver. Of course I do live about 2 miles from my work and don't drive it on the weekends. But with that equation it would take me just over 100 years to hit that point. I seriously doubt your rings and seals could last that long(among other parts). But have fun driving back and fourth from NY to CA to FL to WA.
10-12-2004, 05:54 AM
#20
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i have seen a late 80's model accord with 600K. its gone through a few alternators and starters, and bushings have been replaced more than once, but it is still without an engine rebuild. believe it or not
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10-12-2004, 07:02 AM
#21
Re: (murtnabila)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by murtnabila »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm at around 330k on my 92 civic. And am a courier. Wanna race to see who gets it first? 
</TD></TR></TABLE>
You've got a head start, but you're on.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by builthatch »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">without refreshing the memory, i bleve those benz you are referring to were diesels, engines whos internals inherently have a longer life expectancy. So, i would not expect you to not have to rebuild it since it is a gasoline engine...
have fun, good luck.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I'm going to try only replacing what really needs replacing. I'm going to measure all my clearances, and everything that seems to be in spec will stay. I'm going to try to use the same block/head for the whole thing, as long as I don't sling a rod or drop a valve, which shouldn't happen considering this is going to be a completely stock motor.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bandit74 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I get the impression that this is to show what Honda's are capable of. Basically showing the world, "Hey, these Honda's hold up after a million miles." Maybe Honda will put you in a commercial when you reach this point. </TD></TR></TABLE>
That's exactly the point. I'm not after commercial time, but who knows.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sack Master »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I seriously doubt your rings and seals could last that long(among other parts). But have fun driving back and fourth from NY to CA to FL to WA. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Yeah, my car already consumes a quart of oil every 400 miles, so it's definately time for new valve guides/seals and probably piston rings. Other than that it's a trooper, still gets high 30's MPG, and rides smooth.
I will have fun. I live in Atlanta, GA, and plan on driving to Montana and back this summer and maybe to the Pacific ocean as well. Definately doing the pacific ocean in 2006 though.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sack Master »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Geez that would take me forever.</TD></TR></TABLE>
You have to realize...I put at least 3,000 miles on my car a month.
</TD></TR></TABLE>You've got a head start, but you're on.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by builthatch »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">without refreshing the memory, i bleve those benz you are referring to were diesels, engines whos internals inherently have a longer life expectancy. So, i would not expect you to not have to rebuild it since it is a gasoline engine...
have fun, good luck.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I'm going to try only replacing what really needs replacing. I'm going to measure all my clearances, and everything that seems to be in spec will stay. I'm going to try to use the same block/head for the whole thing, as long as I don't sling a rod or drop a valve, which shouldn't happen considering this is going to be a completely stock motor.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bandit74 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I get the impression that this is to show what Honda's are capable of. Basically showing the world, "Hey, these Honda's hold up after a million miles." Maybe Honda will put you in a commercial when you reach this point. </TD></TR></TABLE>
That's exactly the point. I'm not after commercial time, but who knows.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sack Master »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I seriously doubt your rings and seals could last that long(among other parts). But have fun driving back and fourth from NY to CA to FL to WA. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Yeah, my car already consumes a quart of oil every 400 miles, so it's definately time for new valve guides/seals and probably piston rings. Other than that it's a trooper, still gets high 30's MPG, and rides smooth.
I will have fun. I live in Atlanta, GA, and plan on driving to Montana and back this summer and maybe to the Pacific ocean as well. Definately doing the pacific ocean in 2006 though.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sack Master »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Geez that would take me forever.</TD></TR></TABLE>
You have to realize...I put at least 3,000 miles on my car a month.
10-12-2004, 08:54 AM
#22
Honda-Tech Member
Re: The One Million Mile Civic (DaX)
way to go dude, my dad and step-mom would love you to death. they are all about driving a turd into the ground even when they could easily buy, say, a giant gas guzzling suv. props, you should contact honda and tell them about it.
10-12-2004, 01:07 PM
#23
Re: The One Million Mile Civic (sleepyEK)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sleepyEK »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">way to go dude, my dad and step-mom would love you to death. they are all about driving a turd into the ground even when they could easily buy, say, a giant gas guzzling suv. props, you should contact honda and tell them about it.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yeah maybe when I get a little closer to a million miles. I think I'm going to take the car in to a dealership for an oil change next month, just to get the car up to speed on the dealership's computers, then take it in for an oil change like...once a year. That way the can't be like "you rolled the odometer dewd." They will be able to see that I came in every so often with more miles on it.
Yeah maybe when I get a little closer to a million miles. I think I'm going to take the car in to a dealership for an oil change next month, just to get the car up to speed on the dealership's computers, then take it in for an oil change like...once a year. That way the can't be like "you rolled the odometer dewd." They will be able to see that I came in every so often with more miles on it.
10-12-2004, 03:51 PM
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Re: The One Million Mile Civic (DaX)
In Georgia, is rust an issue? Even after 30 years?
I live in New England and can tell you that the real killer to a car is not the mechanics of the engine but rust. Many, many well running Hondas have been put to rest simply because they had turned into rust buckets.
Good luck.
I live in New England and can tell you that the real killer to a car is not the mechanics of the engine but rust. Many, many well running Hondas have been put to rest simply because they had turned into rust buckets.
Good luck.