I'm considering buying a 1990 DX hatch with 119K mi. for $400. The seller says his mechanic told him the water pump is going. I'm told the car can be driven but in time it will overheat so it needs to be shut down occasionally along the way. I need to transport it 70 miles. The temperature here in Pennsylvania is staying around freezing during the day when it would be driven. That's all I know now, I'm looking at the car tomorrow night. Any suggestions on (1) what to check out when inspecting the car and (2)whether driving the car is a good idea. I don't care if it takes all day to get it home as long as I don't damage the engine getting it here. What do you think???

Hey I just searched and found Honda has a water pump lubricant that is recommended for noisy water pumps, replace some coolant with it. Anyone have any info on this and think this would help any for the drive home? If I get the car I'm replacing pump and belt pronto.

I'm also considering a '93 sedan with 160k mi. for $700 but I haven't seen it either. It's had the timing belt and water pump already replaced and it has no rust (I'm told) but the body is in need of cosmetics.

 

Take the one with the good water pump, I hate things that are broken because you know they are broken, and then they always break on you midway.

 

Yeah with the water pump you don't kno how bad it is wore out it could last another 200 miles or 2 miles... if you would get it I would tow it back that just me and replace it when I got it to my house if you don't want to go threw all that just get the sedan eaither way you look at it they both need work get the one you feel more comfortable fixing. But really its up to you man

 

why not spend 40/50 bucks and buy a pump and rock the ef?

 

id be more concerned and would ask if he uses water besides antifreeze since water tends to corrode other parts of the cooling system...!!!

 

If you want the hatch then get that one but just bear in mind if you try to drive it home and the pump siezes then your Tbelt is gone and you will do engine damage.
Where in Pa are you?
Doy you have access to a vehicle with a tow hitch that you could use to get a tow dolly from U-haul?

 

Playing Russian Roulette does not make you cool, just makes something dead.

 

i bought my 91 si hatch with a rod knock. the guy was like..it runs and starts right up, you could drive it home. yeahh i dont think driving the 32 miles back to my house woulda worked out very good. cost $137 on a flatbed tow truck but it made it back to my garage.

 

When my neon's water pump was failing, it made this swooshing noise for about a mile, bearings seized and snapped the timing belt which in turn jammed my valves into my pistons and kn ocked a chunk of metal off my cam. I'll never make that mistake again

 

^ You mean the mistake of buying a Neon?

I think you should tow the ef home. Efs are way cooler than egs, and youll probably get better gas mileage to boot.

 

yupp^^

 

russiaN

 

GET THE HATCH! just make sure its not leaking and see if he can give you a written guarantee that youll make it home. youd spend way less on it just replacing the water pump vs all the body work on the sedan

 

The N is the least of that sentences worries.

 

HAHAHA thanks guys.

 

Get the hatch and replace the water pump.

 

Well it will be the EF if I get it. I thought the guy bailed on me, buying a used car sucks, I still haven't checked it out but it sounds like it's def the water pump. I have a buddy at work who has a neighbor that works on cars out of his garage part time (works at Pep Boys - uhoh) and he has done major engine work on my buddy's van and he is satisfied. Anyway I don't have a garage and it's cold and snowing and I don't want to risk the long drive so what do you guys think a fair price would be to do the pump and belt, I'll supply the parts?
Thanks

 

100-150 labor for is what i charge for a WP/t-belt for side work. less if they dont have PS/AC etc
change all the belts and front seals while youre at it

 

Jockone I'm near Pine Grove in Schuylkill County, where are you?

 

 

State college looks like about 90 minutes away from you.

 

Still haven't been given a chance to see the car, the dude is getting the pump replaced and
"because I've been so nice" I can have it for $1300 cash. What!? What if I'd been an icehole? I still want to see it and I'll offer $1000 if I want it and will go to $1100. Because I'm so nice.

 

op lives in PA and i live in ny. we dont have the luxury of running just water. we HAVE to run antifreeze due to the weather. i guess their is a slight chance but very minimal.

adam jeffery

 

i live in california and i don't and won't ever run water in my engines again...my last d15b2 i had was run on nothing but water and when i pulled it out the water and rust was literally just eating away at the cooling system parts.

 

Yes homo.