Hello everyone, I just bought myself a 5spd 99 Civic EX (160k miles). Went to check it out since my main car (84 vette) is giving me issues. I'm 18 and in college so a reliable daily is something I need. Anyways, I am a firm believer in preventive maintenance. Learned quite a bit on how to maintain a car from my corvette but not sure if im missing anything. Because its 26 years old now and at 160k miles I plan on replacing: Both serpentine belts, spark plugs, oil, oil filter, coolant, water pump (maybe), Distributor cap, rotor, wires, PCV, motor mounts, pads, rotors(if they are bad) and clean the IAC, EGR, and freshen up the engine bay. Please let me know if I am missing anything because this is my first Honda. I have heard that the timing chain is relatively easy if you are mechanically inclined (which I believe I am) but I need a second opinion as I don't want to potentially mess up timing. I plan on also putting in some injector cleaner and do a compression test. Are there common issues with the d16y8 that I should know about? And is there anything else you guys recommend me replacing that wasn't listed? Also I take back everything bad ive said about Hondas, they are super fun to drive!

 

get yourself a copy of the Helms factory service manual. it will tell you the right way to do all of this work.

Plugs and plug wires: NGK brand no exceptions. You're tip material of choice as long as you stick with the right heat range. I've always found the platinum coated (GP i think) to be the sweet spot for value.

There should not be an EGR valve. only the HX (D16Y5) had it in '99.

I wouldn't mess with the IACV unless it's causing issues. Keep the throttle body clean and set the timing and base idle to spec.

Timing belt should be done every 105k or 7 years whichever comes first. For it's age it should be on the third one, but most people ignore the time and just go by mileage. Either way, it should have been done about 50k miles ago. If it sat for a long time, plan to go ahead and change it. You'll want to do a new water pump at the same time along with crank and cam seals. I like to match a new thermostat with a new water pump.

inspect all the rubber for dry rot, or cracking or loss of flexibility. I would assume it needs both radiator hoses, heater hoses and bypass hose. While you're looking at the coolant system, make sure the radiator end tanks look good. not discolored or showing any signs of leaks.

The primary O2 sensor should be replaced if it looks original. NSK or Denso.

check and adjust the valve lash.

That should cover most of the things that could cause reliability issues.

one of the things I really like about these is that you can push start it if they battery or starter die since it's light weight and manual. I daily-ed one for about 15 years in total and at least three times that I remember I had to start on the clutch a few times to get to work then again to leave work and drive to the nearby Interstate battery store.

 

I would add,
Amazon struts and shocks. The ones on the car have 160k on them, they are done for. you got your moneys worth. You dont need fancy Blistiens or anything high performance, the OREDY brand from amazon it fine.
Definitely do the timing belt and water pump. ( use a name brand belt and waterpump, IE Gates)
since you are being proactive here with the coolant and water pump thermostat, I would also suggest replacing the radiator. its $70 and 10 minutes of time. Again you dont need high performance, the cheapie from amazon will be fine for a stock engine.
I would add another ground wire (12g or larger) from the engine to the body. I did the ground from the valve cover to the radiator support. For some reason, honda cheaped on the grounds.
All this does not have to be done RIGHT NOW, slowly over time as money allows, but once your done, you will have a supper reliable car. My crapbox civic lx has 445k miles on it and starts/runs without any issues and still manages 35mpg aound town and 50mpg on the highway. Its as ugly as Roseanne Barr doing **** but dependable as a rock
BTW your vette, is that the Crossfire?

 

since you will be replacing the timing belt, go ahead and replace the WP.....Genuine Honda not aftermarket. Some of them do not line up correctly and is a waste of time and money.

 

Sorry for the late response, thank all of you for taking the time to write this out it helps a lot. The vette did have a crossfire but I converted it to a carb because the wiring was almost triple my age. Too bad I gotta sell it, but in the end, I'm not all that upset. Hondas rip bro! You shoulda seen my face because my new 120hp little gas saver threw me back more than a 5.7L V8 ever could. Man, I was a no replacement for displacement guy and thought the 99 civic would be a downgrade, but I have gained a new appreciation for Japanese cars. Over the summer I want to build my first engine, and before I bought the civic I was planning on a junkyard 350 mild build and throw it into a classic like an Iroc or something. Now I am debating whether I should build a turbo d16 and throw it into an EG. Also gotta say that the forum here is a lot friendlier than any other forum I've been on.