I have a 97 accord lx with 230k miles on it. Been with it for 8 years and got it with 90k miles. Its been good to me, but recently its been having a lot of issues. This car is starting to become a money pit.

1) Power steering pump is leeking fluid.
2) Head is leaking oil by the dristributor area. (burning oil have about 2qts left after each oil change)
3) O2 heater sensor is bad throwing off the CEL.
4) Tires are bald.
5) Alternator is getting bad.
6) Driver side window would not roll down.
7) Paint oxidizing.
8) Need to replace engine mounts
9) Transmissions slipping
9) Also been having start issues.

I am here to ask the fellow accord owners on what you would do in my position. Move on? or fix the problems? I know most if not all are easy fixes, jus want to know what everyone would do.

 

Are you going to be fixing these problems your self or paying someone to fix them?

If you are doing the work your self i would say keep it, more labor there then parts.
but if you are paying someone you will probably exceed the value of the car.

you could probably find a used trans cheap. guessing you are talking about an automatic.

 

thats actually kind of a lot messed up.
the thing is if you like the car, fix it, accords are all about having fun, i'm attatched to my 2000 but its not a money pit yet

no matter the condition of cars you get hosed selling it most of the time

 

Prevenitive maint could have avoided most of the things on that list.

 

That transmission is a tank. It must've been badly abused.
I second what hon2984 said...

 

Amen, JuggerNaut!
Sorry partner, but it seems to me that had you taken better care of your ride, you wouldn't be asking this...
That said, I wouldn't EVER give up on mine... threw a rod and IMMEDIATELY pulled a swap... you can find another motor fairly inexpensive at

http://www.hmotorsonline.com/shop/

that's where I got mine and there were no hassles, broken parts/sensors, etc.

Anyway, good luck to you!

 

I'll be doing the simple repairs myself, just dont want to put out money to fix it and end up having more issues. As for tranny and paint I'd have to pay someone to do that.

This is my first car so it is hard letting go. Im sure my young n reckless days definately had to do with the tranny slipping...(putting into drive while still in reverse without fully breaking and vice versa)...

As for motor swapping, I wouldn't know where to start lol. But in the process of learning more.

 

This is all normal maintenance stuff that everyone has to deal with. You have just decided to deal with it all at once. I think it's worth it if you do some of the work yourself.

 

1. flush and replace the fluid with fresh genuine Honda fluid along with some ATP-205 stop leak which is recommended by Scotty Killmer
2. fix the distributor O-ring. Scotty Killmer has a video for this as well. Keep the darn thing topped off. If you're letting it run low you're just asking for more wear, tear, and oil burning
3. get a denso o2 sensor off of Amazon and replace for about 60 bucks
4. discount tire usually has $100 off 4 tires once in a while or pick up used tires from the junkyard on their 50% off sale days
5. alternator brushes are probably wearing out, a $20 part
6. get a used window regulator from the junkyard or a cheap new one online
7. you didn't wax it, nothing you can do now
8. junkyard or new ones if you have the money
9. flush and replace fluid with Honda ATF
10. check and resolder the main relay

you didn't take care of your car and now you're paying for it

 

OP check this out, from another accord lover, with accord as first car before even getting a license don't be a pansy about working on your own car, tranny swap motor swap, paint, hell even vinyl wrap it

even if you have like zero tools and you have to buy good tools, its going to be cheaper to DIY, and factoring the time it takes to drive to ealer wait for parts and drive back, at their convenience, you can get your accord back on the road where it belongs for less money and have an awesome sense of accomplishment


if tool money is an issue buy flex handle ratchets first, they are annoying when they flex on you for n reason but its better than to be boned when you cant get stuff off with a non-flex ratchet
then get some good sockets , and some 10,12,14mm flex headed gear wrenches

my vote is just do it, fix the accord, keep it for life, you're only having to pay mayeb 80bones a year for both tags, start a collection, because you'll never get sqaut for selling or a trade in
dude, i've done 2 valve lash adjustment and 2 timing belts, 2 twin shaft balancer belts and one water pump, and replaced some AC seals, all of which i learned and got help on honda-tech, saved over 1200bucks in labor already brahhhhhhh, just do it man

wheilst not pretty due to lack of hand car washes with good car shampoo (not dish soap) and a wax at least, every other year, thats why your paints shot, but you could venture into HT paint and body forum for help

 

I definately agree on the loss if i was to sale or trade in my accord. Thx fo all the opinions and encouragement. I needed it lol. Gona get started working on this baby soon. Hav neglected it too long now its time to stick through it and keep updated with h-t and fellow members. As for the atp, is that recommended? Ill def check out killmer. Also i kno that my alternator is going bad from he leakint p.s pump and will replacing pump later. Will replacing alt brushes help alt or should i jus replace alt .

 

I've used ATP with good results for my engine seals.

If you're curious and willing to learn the alternator can be rebuilt. If you just want to make it reliable a junkyard replacement would suffice

 

with maintenance and what-not they can last forever. personally i'd keep it and fix the imperative things first (leaks, charging problems, sensors) and take time doing things like paint. you can get good tires cheap check out discount tire if there's one in your area.

like already said this is more labor than parts, so if you can do it yourself i'd definitely keep the car. the used car market is kinda screwy.