Ok, I just purchased a 2006 Honda Civic LX with 35K miles. I have all of the maintenence records from the previous owner and he took very good care of it. I noticed a lot of people saying they had problems with the same year where their engine block started cracking and having to replace their engines, I just dont want that to happen to me because I may not have any more warranty because the car has been in a slight accident. Does that defect the warranty? Also, does anyone know the VIN numbers where I can find which cars were affected by this engine block issue?? I went to the website but couldnt find anything. Also, I know its probably in the manuel but how often are you suppose to change your transmission fluid? I have no record of this being done yet, so just wanting to know if its time. Any help would be great! Need to ease my mind. Thanks!!

 

"A lot" isn't really accurate. Very few cars have developed this problem.

Of course, but sometimes **** happens.

Just keep driving the car and don't worry about it. Your chances are good.

Not necessarily; it depends on what was damaged. Unless the vehicle was declared a total loss and branded with a salvage or reconstructed title, the 5-year 60,000 mile powertrain warranty will generally remain in effect. However, you're at or near 5 years already anyway, so at this point it's moot.

Either follow the Maintenance Minder, or change it every 30,000 miles. Use Honda ATF-Z1 or Honda ATF-DW-1 fluid.

 

Thanks a lot man!!! So do you think I should change the tranny fluid since its at 35k or just wait till the minder tells me?

 

If it's AT, yes, change. I'm using Amsoil in mine, definitely smoother than OEM.

 

If it were my car, I'd change it.

 

I thought you are only pos to use Honda ATF. I hear a lot of people using amsoil? That won't damage the tranny? I mean my tranny shifts like butter, can't see how it could be any better.

 

Amsoil Synthetic Multi-Vehicle ATF is regarded as one of the better ATFs out there and can be used in place of Honda ATF-Z1. I haven't personally used it, but those who have claim that shift quality was not affected. This is in contrast to Dexron II or Dexron III ATFs, which will shift noticeably more harsh than Z1.

Personally, I'd give Honda's new ATF DW-1 a try.

 

At our dealership we have replaced a total of 3 R18 blocks from bad casting/cracks. Its not common, so I wouldn't get worried sick over it.

 

if your block cracks it is under warranty as long as there is noting done to your engine like high compression pistons or a turbo, and there might be a recall that Honda is keeping under the radar

 

It's not a recall, and it's not "under the radar." It's a warranty extension, and all owners of an affected vehicle that are currently registered in Honda's customer database should receive a letter about the warranty extension in the mail.

Honda is extending the warranty on the engine block against cracking/coolant leaks to 8 years and unlimited miles from the original delivery date for all '06-08 R18A1 engines and some early '09s. This is detailed by service bulletin #10-048, dated 12/23/2010. The standard powertrain warranty is 5 years/60,000 miles for a new car, and 7 years/100,000 miles from the original owner's delivery date for a Honda Certified used car.

 

Although some of the time it's not totally necessary, whenever I've purchased a used car I do a full fluid change since that's where some ignorant people skimp the most in terms of maintenance.... in terms of cracked blocks in Canadian Civics, this is only the second time I've heard of this particular issue coming up so I wouldn't worry about it being prevalent just drive the car and do the proper maintenance!

 

just go to the Honda dealer and have them run your VIN # to see if your car is under the engine block replace warranty

 

targa covered it best.
engine block cracking? geez.
i stick to 30k for the tranny fluid.

 

Transmission fluid changes don't replace the entire volume of fluid - only a portion. I would not rely on the 'maintainance reminder' light, but change according to use conditions. Short stop and go use would call for more frequent change frequencies - 15K to 20K between intervals. The fluid is relatively cheaper than transmission repair - why skrimp?

 

We've replaced quite a few engine blocks at our dealership, hell we keep a shortblock in stock haha