Bought Classic Honda - Where To Begin Thread
04-06-2010, 10:55 AM
#1
Bought Classic Honda - Where To Begin Thread
Buyers new to Hondas need to know what to expect and what the classic problems are and how to avoid them and stay a head of the curve. This forum thread has been created to help outline all the classic issues of these particular vehicles.
Many people will buy a classic Honda because they know and love them and others will have no idea what they are getting themselves into.
I dedicate this tread to outlining all the classic (normal/expected) issues you are likely to find on these cars.
These classic cars are old enough now that whatever commonly fails, is quirky, causes issues or needs repair is well known to people that have owned and repaired these vehicles.
For example if you owned 100 1986 Honda Wagovan all at around 200K on mileage the vast majority of them would all have the same issues and need the same repairs. These repairs are a pattern for this type of car.
Thus, if you bought your 101st 1986 Honda Wagovan you would know what was highly likely to be needed because you would know that pattern.
Mechanics tend to know these patterns and thus know what to look for as do people that have bought and fixed up a number of them.
This is not a thread to ask questions about problems, but a thread to list the all-to-common problems to watch for on these vehicles.
Not sure where to begin? Copy this and paste the categories listed below onto your reply and fill in the classic issues you know of.
VEHICLE TYPE:
MAJOR ISSUES: (Causes Failure)
EXTERIOR/BODY/PAINT ISSUES:
INTERIOR ISSUES:
SAFETY ISSUES:
ENGINE/DRIVE TRAIN ISSUES:
ELECTRICAL ISSUES:
CHASSIS/WHEEL/TIRE/SUSPENSION ISSUES:
EXPENSIVE ISSUES:
OTHER ISSUES:
Many people will buy a classic Honda because they know and love them and others will have no idea what they are getting themselves into.
I dedicate this tread to outlining all the classic (normal/expected) issues you are likely to find on these cars.
These classic cars are old enough now that whatever commonly fails, is quirky, causes issues or needs repair is well known to people that have owned and repaired these vehicles.
For example if you owned 100 1986 Honda Wagovan all at around 200K on mileage the vast majority of them would all have the same issues and need the same repairs. These repairs are a pattern for this type of car.
Thus, if you bought your 101st 1986 Honda Wagovan you would know what was highly likely to be needed because you would know that pattern.
Mechanics tend to know these patterns and thus know what to look for as do people that have bought and fixed up a number of them.
This is not a thread to ask questions about problems, but a thread to list the all-to-common problems to watch for on these vehicles.
Not sure where to begin? Copy this and paste the categories listed below onto your reply and fill in the classic issues you know of.
VEHICLE TYPE:
MAJOR ISSUES: (Causes Failure)
EXTERIOR/BODY/PAINT ISSUES:
INTERIOR ISSUES:
SAFETY ISSUES:
ENGINE/DRIVE TRAIN ISSUES:
ELECTRICAL ISSUES:
CHASSIS/WHEEL/TIRE/SUSPENSION ISSUES:
EXPENSIVE ISSUES:
OTHER ISSUES:
Last edited by VitalBodies; 04-19-2010 at 09:38 AM.
04-06-2010, 11:32 AM
#2
Re: Bought Classic Honda - Where To Begin Thread
Although I am relatively new to classic Hondas here is what i have gathered are a few of the classic issues of these cars:
VEHICLE TYPE: 1986 Honda Civic Wagovan
MAJOR ISSUES: (Causes Failure)
On cars this old one should consider the timing belt, water pump and thermostat.
If the timing belt breaks that can toast the motor, and they often do at that age.
If the water pump or thermostat fails the engine can over heat.
Compression: All in all, you want to secure your investment by doing a compression check first thing so you know "what you've got" and how much to invest, if any, if that is a show stopper.
Default Bought Classic Honda - Where To Begin Thread
When we bought our classic Honda we needed a cheap car as our Westfalia just had engine failure from the water pump belt breaking. We now had exhaust bubbling into the coolant. Living 26 miles from town and knowing engine rebuilding takes time, we needed a car and needed one fast. We had to catch a ride to town and borrow a car to buy a car. We took the first eco type car we found which was 1986 Honda Civic Wagovan.
Having had 11 VW vans I knew what to expect and what all the classic problems are and how to avoid them and stay a head of the curve. With this new old Honda I was plunged into the dark not knowing what to expect what is normal or when to give in. I would have loved to find a forum thread that outlined all the classic issues of these vehicle.
Many people will buy a classic Honda because they love them and others will have no idea what they are getting themselves into.
I dedicate this tread to outlining all the classic (normal/expected) issues.
This is not a thread to ask questions about problems.
Not sure where to begin? Copy this and paste the categories listed below onto your reply and fill in the classic issues you know of.
VEHICLE:
MAJOR ISSUES: (Causes Failure)
EXTERIOR/BODY/PAINT ISSUES:
Oxidizing of the plastic bumpers
Passenger Mirror
INTERIOR ISSUES:
Oxidizing of the plastic
SAFETY ISSUES:
Fuel Lines: Give the fuel lines a look over and consider new fuel filters.
ENGINE/DRIVE TRAIN ISSUES:
Vacuum Lines: Check the vacuum lines against the sticker in the engine compartment and replace AND NUMBER as needed. They are numbered and you will be glad they are as there are so MANY.
Manifold/Carb Gasket Leak: Idle/starting problem (with the die or high RPM then die issue) was caused (for us) by a vacuum leak between the carb and manifold. On a 1986 Wagovan there is a large thick rubber seal there. Do a vacuum test ASAP.
Carb: Our 1986 Wagovan needed having the carb rebuilt as the float was not working properly.
Temp sensor on the engine will assist with idle control - needed replaced
Forwad fuel filter can cause issues.
Fresh fluids like oil (oil filter too), coolant flush and tranny fluid is nice.
Tune Up: A tune up with fresh spark plugs, cap and rotor and wires if needed.
If the engine gets pulled for whatever reason, consider have replacing the rear oil seals on the trans and engine, wouldn't hurt to install a new clutch & release bearing too, and cable. The clutch cables eventually break.
CHASSIS/WHEEL/TIRE/SUSPENSION ISSUES
Wheel Bearings and Hubs: Rear wheel bearings are highly likely to need replaced also - car would make a strange rear-end sound when turning in one direction.
OTHER:
Speedo cable noise.
VEHICLE TYPE: 1986 Honda Civic Wagovan
MAJOR ISSUES: (Causes Failure)
On cars this old one should consider the timing belt, water pump and thermostat.
If the timing belt breaks that can toast the motor, and they often do at that age.
If the water pump or thermostat fails the engine can over heat.
Compression: All in all, you want to secure your investment by doing a compression check first thing so you know "what you've got" and how much to invest, if any, if that is a show stopper.
Default Bought Classic Honda - Where To Begin Thread
When we bought our classic Honda we needed a cheap car as our Westfalia just had engine failure from the water pump belt breaking. We now had exhaust bubbling into the coolant. Living 26 miles from town and knowing engine rebuilding takes time, we needed a car and needed one fast. We had to catch a ride to town and borrow a car to buy a car. We took the first eco type car we found which was 1986 Honda Civic Wagovan.
Having had 11 VW vans I knew what to expect and what all the classic problems are and how to avoid them and stay a head of the curve. With this new old Honda I was plunged into the dark not knowing what to expect what is normal or when to give in. I would have loved to find a forum thread that outlined all the classic issues of these vehicle.
Many people will buy a classic Honda because they love them and others will have no idea what they are getting themselves into.
I dedicate this tread to outlining all the classic (normal/expected) issues.
This is not a thread to ask questions about problems.
Not sure where to begin? Copy this and paste the categories listed below onto your reply and fill in the classic issues you know of.
VEHICLE:
MAJOR ISSUES: (Causes Failure)
EXTERIOR/BODY/PAINT ISSUES:
Oxidizing of the plastic bumpers
Passenger Mirror
INTERIOR ISSUES:
Oxidizing of the plastic
SAFETY ISSUES:
Fuel Lines: Give the fuel lines a look over and consider new fuel filters.
ENGINE/DRIVE TRAIN ISSUES:
Vacuum Lines: Check the vacuum lines against the sticker in the engine compartment and replace AND NUMBER as needed. They are numbered and you will be glad they are as there are so MANY.
Manifold/Carb Gasket Leak: Idle/starting problem (with the die or high RPM then die issue) was caused (for us) by a vacuum leak between the carb and manifold. On a 1986 Wagovan there is a large thick rubber seal there. Do a vacuum test ASAP.
Carb: Our 1986 Wagovan needed having the carb rebuilt as the float was not working properly.
Temp sensor on the engine will assist with idle control - needed replaced
Forwad fuel filter can cause issues.
Fresh fluids like oil (oil filter too), coolant flush and tranny fluid is nice.
Tune Up: A tune up with fresh spark plugs, cap and rotor and wires if needed.
If the engine gets pulled for whatever reason, consider have replacing the rear oil seals on the trans and engine, wouldn't hurt to install a new clutch & release bearing too, and cable. The clutch cables eventually break.
CHASSIS/WHEEL/TIRE/SUSPENSION ISSUES
Wheel Bearings and Hubs: Rear wheel bearings are highly likely to need replaced also - car would make a strange rear-end sound when turning in one direction.
OTHER:
Speedo cable noise.
Last edited by VitalBodies; 04-18-2010 at 08:52 AM.
04-18-2010, 09:00 AM
#6
Re: Bought Classic Honda - Where To Begin Thread
I edited the first post in this thread to make the purpose more clear. Is the point of the thread understandable now?
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