So, I'm well aware that were good for 200K plus miles on these engines, and I know the generals of what I'll be doing for getting this civic going. But...What else would people advise to look for when I bring it back to life. Here's what I have and know:
'95 Civic EX 4dr 5sp. with 200K almost on the nose. Stock 1.6L VTEC with cheap CAI for its only mod. It has been sitting the last 6 months in my companies impound lot. All fluids are good looking, even fresh looking oil. Basically the only worrying thing I have seen is some red gasket sealant pushed from under the valve covers. In general, I'm not concerned with just throwing a new battery on it, getting the key made, possibly and oil change and some seafoam with fresh gas. I'm looking for advice on the mileage. Since I don't need the car, should I spend the time to hit the head, water pump, timing belt area or find out after I drive it a bit? Currently awaiting the title, so I can't really do much with it yet.
I am slightly concerned since it has the cheap CAI and some appalling fake center bolt alloys, and I have no history on previous owner, maintenance, ect. Whats most vulnerable at that age?
Sorry for wasting your time, I'm just getting amped up to be back in a Honda!

 

Timing Belt and anything else made of rubber is the biggest concern at that age, that and the clutch likely being worn out.

 

do basic tune up things. timing, distributor rotor and cap, wires, plugs, water pump. then try driving it a little.

that orange stuff around the valve cover is probably just some RTP sealer. nothing bad just an extra protection so to speak. unless theres no gasket. in which case bad news bears.

 

not sure if im right or wrong, but aren't you NOT supposed to seafoam high mileage engines? doesn't it like take the carbon deposits off of something?

I did it on my car with 185k and it made it run worse

 

The reason why shouldn't seafoam it? Beucase the dirt/grime or whatever could be the only thing keeping it togther. Not only that, seafoam is garbage.


Tune, cap/rotor, plugs,wires, fuel filter, oil change, PCV, possibly, coolent/trans fuild change.

Timing belt/water and possibly cam/main seals. Drive the car, and find out if the clutch is good. etc.

im at ~220k, all I have is t-belt,water pump, and basic tune up. it runs great, and gets awesome MPG.

 

I have two a 97 w/ 190k and 99 w/ 216k miles both using the original clutch. I agree on a full tune up along with changing out the timing belt. The owner never came back for the car so I'm thinking there may be a reason they never came back to get it out so I wouldn't be suprised if it needed more work than just the basics.

 

Thanks for the insight, always like to see what other have to say. Interesting view on Sea foam. With these cars at the impound lot, its really hit or miss why they don't come for the cars...luckily there's an identical one ill be using for a parts car till we crush it. Kinda crazy the amount of cars people don't come to get and the stuff they leave in them...but that's another story. Thanks again, and great to hear there's people out there keeping their engines past the 200k mark! Ill throw some pics up when I get into it!

 

sometimes they dont know where it is, have the money, care enough, or like mine i couldn't ever find the title and its still there. totally wrecked but still.


if dirt and grime are the only thing holding your engine together do you really think seafoaming it is really all that bad? its rebuild time then.

sea foam works fine if you know what youre doing. never had it ruin any of the cars i've done it on.
can't say i've ever taken one on a dyno then seafoamed it and re ran it though for any actual performance gains.

 

You can use mmo the same way as seafoam. I used it on my 97 to clean the engine out when I was having egr issues but I still ended up having to tear into it to clean the ports out.

Just be careful where you decide to use the stuff as it will make certain persons of interest interested on what you are doing. When I got done cleaning it out I went for a test drive to clean it all out and didn't even make it 2 blocks.

 

Depending on where u live. If it's a snowy winter check the underbody for rust and the bushings. Winters hell on cars and with that many miles I'd guess I'd probably see snow

 

Your telling me...I live in Moorhead, MN next to Fargo, old cars are pretty bad up here, luckily I checked the history and it has stayed south most of its life!