I'm buying a used 88 Accord for my brother to use while he's attending college. I'm mechanically inclined and I have a pretty good general knowledge but I've never worked on Honda's before and I'm not sure what I should replace or inspect to ensure this car is dependable for my Brother.

It has 85,000 miles on a crate motor (I've been told it's a stock motor for this year Accord). Aside from a bumper to bumper tune up, water pump and timing belt what else should be inspected or replaced before I tell my brother his car is good to go?

Thanks for the help and one day I hope my brother can park his pimped import under my lifted Jeep

johnwaynejeep
59 Chevy Longbed, 350 Crate
85 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, rebuild in process

 

look for honda rust, check the quarter panel, or under the mudflop.

what trim is the accord btw?

 

check for rust like that guy above said.

I'd say take a magnet and place the magnet on the car to see if it will be attracted. This will allow you to check for any places that have been bondo'd.

um.... besides that I'm not really sure. You could check compression ratio, if its manual check the clutch.


idk. but good luck.

 

Rust....rear quarters.
Are you seeing a pattern here?

 

check if there is any oil in the plugs, forgot to check that when I got my accord...

 

Unfortunatley my Mother already bought the car so now I have to address the problems instead of searching for them before hand.

It sounds like I'll have to check for bondo, do some compression and leak down tests and break out the welder and do some basic rust patching if required. I'm hoping my brother takes this opportunity to learn more about cars and really beefs up this car.

Thanks for all the replies, I think this place will be an excellent resource for my brother and me since he'll be calling me for advice and help .

 

Just basic stuff, Thats Low miles but it is an 88, i doubt you need a compression test or anything, 85k on a honda is nothing

My friends mom has a 90 integra with like 270k on it

The main thing to check for is the rust, Do a basic tune up

id suggest do a flush and fill on the radiator, clean the engine bay with some gunk, check the brakes, and brake lines,

 

since you already have the car. like the guy above said, do a basic tune up. Flush everything out. Check all the electronic to make sure its all legit, and possibly steam clean the engine and see if it has any leaks.