Hello all honda boys and girls! I am writing this post today bc my honda civic that i recently purchased to deliver pizzas with crapped out on me a couple days ago

I was driving around 141k miles, i was riding at 35 mph when my car suddenly turned off and displayed the red oil image as well as the battery. I slowed down and came to a complete stop, and started the car again. When i started the car and engaged the clutch, a wild screaching sound appeared and i noticed a burning smell. My temperature gauge was not Hot or Cold, but when i started to accelerate and change gears, a bunch of white smoke started coming out my hood. Also whenever I press the clutch in, the RPM dips down to ALMOST 0, which is very strange. It is still somewhat driveable, alebit very clunky and not road safe. I stopped and got my dad to pick me up and took it to the mechanic the next day.

Now when we got to the mechanic, he pointed out that my distributor was leaking and that i have multiple leaks besides that. He gave us an estimate of 2000$, which included labor. These are the items he placed on the estimate list.

Rack and pinion assembly ( i believe this is unnecessary,)

Front crankShaft seal
Oil Pan Gasket
Rear Main Oil Seal
Front brake disc calipers. ( unnecessary I believe as well, he claimed there was aleak coming from my calipers ???)

Now I'm kinda bummed out, bc my father bought me this car used for 1200$ and it barely ran two months. From now on i will make sure to throughly inspect used cars before purchasing and receive the best value for my money.


My father does not want to proceed with the repairs, as the mechanic wants 2100$ for all the mentioned above including labor.

I am not very proficient with cars , and my father is a little bit more technically advanced but by no means an expert.

I was thinking about buying this kit, which comes with many gaskets and attempting to repair the vehicle my self.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-99-00...4383.l4275.c10

IT comes with ( metal head gasket, intake manifold gasket, valve cover gasket, viton valve stem seals, camshaft seal ,water pump gasket, rear main seal, front crank seal, oil pan gasket,)

Would this be a weekend project that me and my father are capable of, or should I find someone to replace the seals for me?

Also I was wondering whether I should replace the O -ring Inside my Distributor , or I should buy a whole new distributor for around 60$

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ignition-Di...-/282328735735

Also again im not very car advanced, but I feel like something is wrong with the Clutch/flywheel, Because of the screaching sound I hear when ever the engine is disengaged, although I am not sure at all. The clutch seems a bit weaker than before the incident but it could just be me. HELPWhat are yall's opinions ?

 

Screeching constantly with burnt smell and white smoke is usually a belt. There are 3 flat belts on the left (driver's side) of the engine. One for the power steering pump, one for the alternator, and one for the A/C (if equipped). I suppose it is possible that the power steering rack leaked all the fluid out, then the pump seized, causing the belt to screech and burn. That is going to be expensive.

Screeching only when the clutch pedal is pressed is part of the clutch, usually the "throw out bearing". It is strange that the list does not include any clutch parts. Clutch job involves removing the transmission from the car, which is takes advanced DIY skill and tools, and about $150 in parts.

You should run the engine briefly with the hood open and listen for exactly where the noise is from and look for smoke. And/ or seek a second opinion from a different mechanic. Again, what you said the mechanic said doesn't make a lot of sense.

Lots of the mechanic's recommendations are merely small oil leaks which are going to happen on a car that age and usually don't bother to repair. The screeching, smoking, stalling is obviously a priority to identify and repair. Though if the clutch is being replaced, the rear main seal can be changed out with little additional labor.

 

Hello 'MK378"
Thank you for taking the time to reply.

It is only when I press the clutch pedal down and disengage the engine, that the screeching sound can be heard.

I agree it is very strange that the list does not include any mention of clutch parts, makes me nervous that they didn't diagnose my car properly.

I am thinking about purchasing those gaskets i mentioned above, along with this clutch kit and getting my hands dirty so i can get moving again.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/XTD-STAGE-1...cAAOSwhcJWPSeY

Does this clutch kit include the 'throw out bearing' that you mentioned? I am sorry for the noob question.

Thank you,

Ahsun

 

Never mind, I have found in the advanced item details that it does infact include a throw out bearing.

XTD Clutch & Flywheel SPecialist


Thank you for your help

 

My father said to go ahead and order the parts and we're gonna wake up early in the morning to fix it soon. I cant' wait!


These are the parts i am going to purchase :
XTD stage 1 clutch kit, includes flywheel and throwout : 60$:https://www.ebay.com/itm/XTD-STAGE-1...cAAOSwhcJWPSeY

Gasket kit: 30$ https://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-99-00...4383.l4275.c10

Ignition distributor: 60$: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ignition-Di...-/282328735735


Total : 150$

Im paying for these parts so I hope me and my dad can fix this **** so i can start delivering pizzas again ;_;
My father said he has replaced plenty of clutches before, so i'm looking forward to spending some quality time with my dad.


Wish me luck!!

 

Still a bit confused as to what that white smoke was fuming out of my hood...

MAybe my distributor blew ?

Hopefully replacing all these parts including brake pads will help push my car to 200k miles. Currently at 142.

 

Ok sorry but i need to update this post->>


What do you guys think that white smoke was??

Could have been my distributor that blew and spewed thick white smoke every where?
My father wants to get the O ring for around 10 bucks but We could also get a brand new distrbutor for around 55$.

I read that every time you replace the distrbutor you have to retime it? I'm about to go outside and take pictures of my leaks for u guys to see


But idk how do i diagnose the distributor if thats EVEN the thing that blew lol !!

Symptoms are as mentioned: Low RPM when engaged clutch (Im talking like 100 200 rpm wtf? )

oil leaks errywhere

Loud screaching sound when engaged clutch ( a bit better now but still noticable ) -- my friend mk told me it was a throw out bearing. Ordering stage 1 clutch kit for 60$ online

White smoke (something blew? Gasket or distributor coil may BEE? )

Leak bad af

Bout to go outside and clean my disrubtor caps i beleive they are called, black things i can unplug.

 

White smoke, if it is really smoke and not steam, is unlikely. Maybe a belt was burning. Steam from a cooling system leak is a lot more likely. You should check in the radiator to make sure it is full. With the engine cold, the radiator should be full to the top. The white plastic tank next to the radiator should be about 1/3 full.

Distributor o-ring is only going to cause an oil leak, and a relatively slow one at that. If the distributor "blows up", the engine will stop running, since the distributor is a vital part to make it run.

 

Yes this is my 99 ex honda civic manual><

omg mk378 thanks for replying , Oh darn the cooling system is pretty darn important huh, imma go check the radiator ..

Ok great so thats whats propaply causing this baby to leak huh, the aformentioned leak is under the distributor from my photo, underneath the plugs.

I went outside to clean my plugs and i was blazed so i forgot where each one goes xD

I googled a picture and bam it started again.

couldnt get a good photo of the leak, Went this morning to do some errands about 4 or 5 miles and it actually runs pretty alright, minus the low rpm when clutch is engaged issue.

i gotta 160$ bucks imma get my dad to get the clutch kitand gasket kit, hopefully we can kink out the bugs and make it run to 200 k : D honda gang