Hi Acura owners,

Yesterday, I just bought a 94 Integra LS with 111k miles on both the body and motor. I must say the 5speed transmission and clutch are near perfect - one of the reasons I bought the car despite its numerous other problems which I need you experienced guys' help for.

i. Although the tranny is smooth, and I think the engine is smooth, there is a noticable vibration when I'm doing anything above 50. At 60, its noticable. At 70, its very noticable. The vibration is not random; the oscillations are very repetitive. Thus I concluded that its definitely caused by the engine. The engine's out of balance / the mounting is gone bad / any dampers gone bad (?) Could anyone please advice how solid a 94 integra should feel at 70 & most importantly what are the key elements that I need to get checked out to get rid of the vibration.

ii. The steering is quite slack - lots of play. What are the key elements there to check / repair / replace to get it taught again. Not looking for brand new car like feeling, but definitely I want to taughter and heavier.

iii. The temp gauge in the dashboard doesn't show a reading. Mostly likely would this be a problem with the gauge or with the sensor? Any idea on costs of replacement / repair?

iv. The speakers are quite bad. I want to replace them. Again, I'm not looking for bose quality audio. Anything that doesnt give static and has decent bass will do for me. I want to do this repair / replacement myself. Can you guys suggest affordable speakers (brand, specs) I can pick up off the shelf and install at home?

v. Whats the kind of fuel efficiency you guys are looking at?

vi. My engine cold idles at 2100 rpm, hot idles at 1100-1200 rpm. Isn't this a little more than it should be? (compared to other cars?) My engine does 3400 rpm at 70 mph at 5th gear on a straight level road. My friends 2002 pontiac sunfire does the same speed, same gear, same road at 2850 rpm... so wondering if my integra is normal?

I really appreciate answers to the above questions. I hope to be reassured about my car... else I'll feel like I've bought a lemon of a car!

Thanks in advance for all your help,

Best,

Rahul

 

You can't really compare this car to a pontiac sunfire and what it does on the road because they are completely different. My RPM sits at 4.5K at 70-75 mph.

Vibration, are you sure its not the tires?

As far as gas milage, 25-30 hwy.

No quite sure what you mean by slack on the steering wheel.....is it just smooth? Then that's a good....

 

1. Don't rule out tire balance or bad tire.

2. Check for worn ball joints on the tie rod, or possibly worn steering rack.

3. Temp guage problem could be almost anything from disconnected wire or the guage itself. Can't tell from here.

4. Are they already blown, or do you crank it up that loud? Check the audio forum for replacement ideas.

5. I don't drive your model, so I can't answer that.

6. RPMS seem within normal range. Yuur car is not a GM product. Hondas tend to wind a little higher and still get better fuel economy. BTW, what RPM does the Sunfire redline at? 4800 rpm?

 

i think the vibration your feeling is the tires, check the pressure, check the joints, check your axles it could be that too

now for the idiling it idles at a good level so dont worry about that... but when is starts going from 2k to 4k and then back up and down again check your idle senor..

dont no much about speakers sorry good luck tho

 

the idle is normal

fuel econ for an ls is about 25-30, ive gotten as low as 22 on shitty winter gas, and driving like a jackass.

as for the vibration its almost definelty a tire balance issue. if you get a balance and alignment it will most likely fix your first 2 problems, or if not they can at least tell you exactly what you need, since none of us can actually look at your car.

and as for your temp gauge, it may be a loose wire, or a fuse... after that i dont know.

and as for being concerned about the rpms at 70... you get used to it, its normal. its called gearing, its how the transmission is built, usually designed to balance speed and fuel economy. shorter gearing = quicker car, longer gearing = more economical. our cars are geared quite short, mainly because theyve got little torque and need to get higher into the rpm range to move.

the LS has the longest gearing of any integra, (by the way ls, gs, rs are all the same) gsr's are 4k at 80, but people take them across the country no problem. i wouldnt worry about it, if you dont like it, dont drive 80, or 70 or whatever.

(edit)

and as for speakers, any head unit and speakers off the shelf of best buy will sound decent and not bust your wallet. just dont get the cheapest **** they have or youll be disappointed.

for that matter, whenever you go out to buy somthing, NEVER buy the cheapest **** avalible... cause its just that.. ****. not the cheapest speakers, not the cheapest oil, not the cheapest tampons.