I am considering a 1998 Accord 4 dr LX with 100k miles from a Honda dealer. I have read on-line that the auto trans on these cars was new for 98, and that a number of people have had problems with them - should I be concerned?

Also, one source said that by 100k miles the car should have had a new timing/serpentine belt, water pump, and cv boots. Is there anything else I should check on?

Thanks for any help!

 

I think that the transmission problems/issues were with the cars equipped with V-6 engines. I have two friends that are long time techs for Honda and both advised me that the 4 cyl models do not see problems.

 

Make sure the fluids were all changed. You can tell if the AT has been abused by pulling the AT dipstick and smelling it.

If it shifts smooth when you test drive it, it should be fine. Check to see if the evap and vent shut valve have been replaced. They will go bad if your car sees any salt in winters (prolly not in SanDi).

I would just get a manual tranny car. The warranty has already expired at 100k, and honda AT has less maintenance-based longevity. If you are going to baby it, then you will be fine....

 

Thanks for all the input. I went ahead and closed the deal tonight. It has 99.5 k miles - has had the 90k service, but they said Honda says the timing belt isn't due until 105k. I am having them do the timing/serpentine belts, water pump, and seals before my daughter picks up the car. New Bridgestone Turanzas and front brakes are included in the deal, so she is pretty happy. Thanks again for the useful information.

I am on a Mercedes Benz DIY tech forum - MercedesShop.com since 1999 - and this is the closest forum in USEFUL tech help I have found to match my other hangout. Hope to gleen lots of useful tips from this site in the future.

 

Just make use of the search function and you will have more than enough info fo any preventative and troubleshooting you might run into.

 

All the AT transmissions have problems from what I have read. Just make sure you keep the fluid in there and everything maintained with it and it will probably be fine. You couldn't do the Serpintine belt and watter pump? Timing belt I might have them do. I haven't done a belt on my Accord but on my truck it took a friend and I like 5 minutes to change it and I could have done it myself it was just nice to have 2 people as you really need 3 hands.

 

my friend is a mechanic and has the suto 98 accord LX 4 door. his transmission just failed at 140k driving on the highway. now the trans is in his garage sitting there for a month... hes driving a civic for now

 

on average when do 94-97 trannys die out (avg driver that changes his fluid)?

 

Don't know about 94-97 but they seem to be a lot more reliable than the 98-02 ones.