Hey everyone,

Just bought a 1992 accord, was told it had a rebuild at 100k and is now at 76k. (Deep Sigh) . So here's the deal. The shifting seems sketchy, the steering wheel column shakes heavily when highway driving, It came with a ricer exhaust, and the biggest thing..The key I got only works for the ignition, not the doors, trunk, or glove box. So here's where I'd like your guidance, and help feeling better about my purchase!

- What do I do about the locks! I need to be able to lock my car
- Im going to do one of those $200 transmission services, is this good, what is included?
-Is it a pain to convert the exhaust back to a stock tip?

General maintenance I should do ASAP( assume nothing has been done besides oil)

- Spark plugs, wires, 02 sensor
- Clean EGR valve
- Check speed sensor.

This is all I have so far, any help is greatly appreciated

Alex

 

1. Get an alarm with keyless entry. Most likely your ignition switch was swapped out.
2. For the transmission, if you can change oil you can service the transmission. Actually its easier, just drain and refill with HONDA transmission fluid only. What color is the fluid now?
3. Not to sure about exhaust work, but visit a local muffler shop.

Your biggest thing that needs to be done is the timing belt, balancer belt, water pump, and seals.

 

Auto or manual?(guessing auto?)

Drain and fill a couple of times over the next few thousand miles(if auto). There's a lot of fluid in the TC that needs to be cycled and drained out. I think the FSM calls for a drain and fill x3. If it's a manual, just drain and fill. Check axles/boots for wear and damage.

Check all balljoints, suspension pieces, bushings, etc. More than likely the shake is just a wheel out of balance or...

Brakes. Check to ensure no pads are dragging, calipers are frozen, lines are clear, and fluid is fresh. Bleed if necessary(really the only way to tell if a line's shot). After a decently long drive, walk around the car and put your hands near the wheels, if one is radiating heat more than the other, suspect some brake work there.

Sounds like the ignition cylinder was swapped out at some time for a different one with a matched key. I believe if you take your VIN down, you can go by your local Honda dealer and they can cut a key for you that matches the vehicle's VIN. Otherwise, look into a keyless entry/alarm system. I despise the aftermarket ones, and most installers are absolute HACKS. Choose wisely there.

I have a stock cat-back eliminating into an 05-06 RSX Type-S muffler. I think it's perfect, love the look, love the VERY mild sound. Picked it up for $60 including an RSX b-pipe. Installed for $100. $160 total investment.

The rest you listed and what djkurious said are all good suggestions. Prepare to dump about $1000 into the car. It's a GOOD investment, these are VERY reliable and great cars when they're maintained properly. You'll save a lot of time and money by doing everything yourself.

 

My cb7 was also steering wheel was behaving the same at highway speeds as well. It turned out to be the steel wheel itself was warped slightly causing it, and also one of the tires was effed up. If you got the money to spare take your wheels to get aligned and theyll let you know if your wheels are warped or tires are bad.

 

Thanks so much for the responses fellas!

So just some history, Im not the BEST with cars. I had a Jetta before this and did alot of work, but it took my some time to learn it. Im back at square one with this honda, pretty embarrassing!

So if you guys could prioritize the steps listed above, how would you do it ? And also, where do you recommend I get the flush? Or should I buy a used tranny for 450 from the junk yard?

As for the timing belt/water pump, should I just assume that hasn't been done ?

Thanks alot guys...

 

How is it sketchy?
Does it hunt gears(random shifting)?
Does it shift hard/soft?
Does the shifting characteristics change depending on throttle input?
Click on the 'techauto' link in my sig for more troubleshooting. It could just be that the throttle valve cable is maladjusted.
Is the mating surface between the wheel and hub clean and flat?
Are the tires correctly inflated?
Are the wheels correctly balanced?
Are the tires wearing unevenly? Are all the wheels/tires the same size?
Pull the front wheels off and look for bent rims, usually a flattish spot on the inside will indicate if a large pothole was hit. Rotate the wheels front to back, does the vibration change?
If you wish to replace it, RockAuto sells Walker and other similar stock replacement bolt in systems for good prices.
Check with the dealer with your VIN code, they may be able to make you a key. As mensioned I suspect the ignition cylinder was replaced, the other locks may still be tied to the VIN.
If not Rock Auto and most auto stores can sell you new lock cylinders with keys. Although usually the doors and trunk will have their own keys as well so you may have three keys for the car.

If you owned a 90's or newer VW, you will be amazed at how Lego like the Honda is. This is a simple car to work on.

 

Mike,

I appreciate your answers and knowledgeable responses. Here's where im at,

-I got a key ! you guys were right, Honda made one to match my VIN for $11.00.
-I just picked up spark plugs, valve cover gasket, and some fuel injection cleaner.

- I have lots of oil in the plugs :/ .

- I checked the transmission fluid, It's really hard for me to determine if it needs to be changed or not. By the shifting being sketchy, I mean like for example when you first bring your car from park to drive, it will pause a split second, then kind of *jump* into drive.

- There isn't a plastic piece or anything around the steering column and ignition...Makes it look super ghetto. Is this a easy piece to get?

- Last, and probably the biggest thing..Im doubting the notion that the engine was rebuilt at 100,000k, without paper work, is there anyway to verify this?

Thanks guys, you have been awesome, ANYTHING that you can think of me doing please post it. Im not the most mechanically inclined...but I understand and learn well.

 

Oil on your plugs can be caused by leaky lower spark plug tube seals. Were the plug wires covered in oil when pulled? There's another thread just below this with a good video on the procedure.

The plastic cover can be found at a junkyard. Probably $5 for it at a pick n pull. You'll quickly grow to love those places.

Without proof of rebuild, take it as it never happened. Do the maintenance first, go from there.

 

Also, clean the egr valve and ports. Chances are they're clogged.

 

As far as the transmission, do the drain and refill with HONDA fluid 3x's as mentioned above.

If there is no proof the rebuild was done, take it as it hasn't been done. The 2 most important things on this car is the timing belt maintenance and transmission fluid change.

Did you get NGK spark plugs? If not, take whatever you got back and get the NGK copper (2.29/each) or NGL platinum (2.99/each).

 

Hey all,

Little update:

I did the valve cover gasket, changed the sparkplugs with NGK platinum( thanks djkurious), and Got a new air filter. This air filter was the dirtiest thing i've ever seen. There was tons of dust, GLASS, and plastic pieces underneath the filter, so cleaned the whole air system with throttle body cleaner and put the new filter in.

Here is where im uneasy ATM. I wasn't able to get to the lower o-ring seals, I started to loose light outside and had to wrap it up. Did I just pointlessly do my valve cover and upper O ring seals? :/

For the transmission flush- I should do this myself I assume? Do I need to do 9 quarts from honda ? What about a transmission filter ?

Can I post pictures on here? I would like to get some help identifying some parts

 

The valvecover is still reuseable since it's new. When you have time, do the lower spark plug tube seals.

The drain and fill is ridiculously easy- you literally pull both the drain and fill bolts, let it drain, reinstall bolts(with new crush washers if applicable), refill to spec. You're probably better off buying the trans fluid all at once as they're likely cut you a deal on it. I have friends that work at a local dealer, so I get employee pricing. I'm 99% certain that transmission does not have a servicable filter. MAD_MIKE would be better qualified to answer that with his experience.

Post as many pictures as you'd like! We're here to help!

 

Right on.
Is the fluid red, dark red, or brown?
Does it smell burnt?
Two things.
At normal idle the transmission will not instantaneously engage a gear after selection. One can see if the time needed is reduced by cycling through all the gears to make sure each gear circuit is charged. Make sure the shift solenoids are sealing, the pump pressure is within spec. But an older transmission may still take a moment as seals do wear.
If the transmission or engine jumps or thumps into gear there may be an issue with the front 'stopper' mount or the rear engine mount. Both can be checked for cracked/broken rubber mounts and correct operation of the vacuum solenoid on the rear mount.
If there are none in the local yardes, check with Honda.


Parts #17, 19, 20 , 23 are attached with parts # 51, 56

However it doesn't seem Honda has the cover pieces listed.


Not really, unless the machine shop left marks, usually with a paint pen on the bellhousing, or knew of someone who has worked on the car in the past.

Dunno about qualified, more experience at cussing the H4A out sure. Think I called my old trans a dog molester. But there is no readily accessible filter.