Hello,

I am a novice with not much experience seeking some help. I just bought a 97 Civic LX sedan with 99k miles and I'm looking to do all of the preventative maintenance. I don't have any service records of anything and everything seems stock. Seemed to belong to an older lady I'm assuming it sat for most of its life. My mechanic looked at it while I was buying it and it didn't appear to have any apparent issues, only been a couple days now so maybe I'll find a surprise. Seems to be in very good condition other than rear wheel well rust, perfect interior.

I was doing research and I know 98-2004 civics don't have transmission filters but what about 1997?

I apologize if I'm asking questions that have been answered but I'm just trying to figure out what I need to do keep the car running pristine for as long as possible.

So far I have this list, which is mostly just a basic tuneup, I am looking for advice:
Plugs, wires
PVC valve & grommet
Distributor cap & rotor head
Coolant flush, changing thermostat too
Fuel filter

Transmission fluid change? Should I get it flushed or is this ill advised?
Does this car have a transmission filter?

Planning on timing belt and water pump after another 5k miles or so.

What else should be changed, looked at, addressed, in this 21 year old vehicle?

 

There is a filter but it's not designed to be serviceable. To replace it requires removing the transmission and splitting the case. Drain and fill the transmission 3 times with Honda fluid, don't flush it as a power flush machine will destroy the internal filter and send filter fragments throughout the transmission. This assumes that you have a model with an automatic tranmission.


Fuel filter: Unless you actually have a problem I'd just leave it alone. I have never in all my years of working on these things ever seen on cause a problem even with triple the mileage

Plugs and Wires: If the plug wires are original chances are they're fine, they seem to last almost indefinitely. I would put in some new NGK plugs though.


PVC valve, it wont hurt to change, but if it rattles it's fine. Go OEM Honda on this


Distributor cap and rotor: Go OEM Honda on this


Coolant flush wouldn't hurt, don't put anything but an OEM Honda thermostat unless you feel like pulling your hair out trying to figure out why it wont open.


I don't see any mention of timing belt and water pump. I would replace that stuff unless I knew for sure it was done recently. All the stuff you mentioned, save for the transmission will be a minor inconvenience if something happens, a broken timing belt will at best require getting towed somewhere to have a belt installed, and at worst having to replace valves or the head. I would replace the water pump and cam and crank seals at the same time. I would use OEM parts on the water pump and seals. As far as the belt goes Gates or Dayco seem to hold up fine.

 

Oh thanks.

When you say drain and fill transmission three times, what do you mean? Just leave it open and pour fluid through? Between the multiple fills what should be done, close the plug and allow it to fill?

In this video this guy shows what was in his old fuel filter at the end I'm pretty sure you won't have an ISSUE, like you said, but I would rather not have my gas going through gunk like shown in that video

I'm OEM on everything you said except PVC valve. Can't seem to find the valve oem on any website. Putting in NGK plugs and wires.

Mentioned timing belt and water pump at the bottom, don't have the money for it right now but planning.

 

No. Drain, refill. Drive a bit let it circulate through.
drain, refill
repeat

 

 

Cheaper via Del-Ray Acura:

https://www.acuraoemparts.com/oem-pa...1hY3VyYQ%3D%3D

OEM Parts-See FAQ sticky or just go to:

www.hondaautomotiveparts.com

HAVE YOUR VIN HANDY for best fitment.

 

I would just go by the dipstick when filling.

 

Don't forget to gap the plugs. They should be gapped to .043", (they come out of the box around .030").