Chester: Exactly what I was looking for. A prelude owner with a civic as well who feels like they got alot of utility out of their purchase. That's why I asked for second opinions. Thanks.
SilversurfeR: I don't respect the opinions of people who say things like "you're a ricer". Plus, I've been insulted by people who simply prefer domestic cars over imports, so that is unavoidable. I am comfortable with my choice of car. I was asking about the civic more in terms of efficiency and realiability.
DudeWithALude: We think alot alike. Thanks for your response.
Prelude1897: Thanks for the help. The dealership tried to charge me $255.00 for a new o2 sensor.
tenzola: I don't have a lot of time to do all that, but that is the best course of action, I agree.
Dameione: A spoon valve is the part the needs to be replaced to fix the leak. Vtec leak is when there is a faulty spoon valve. Other than that, I'm not sure what to say. And yes, the Gov't threatens to suspend your liscense if you don't pass emissions.
paulyg: Thanks for the input. It looks like a faulty o2 sensor is causing the acceleration problems.
marcucci: I'm not really interested in people's negative opinions to deter my decision; just curious what other people think. Secondly, I really like my car. I don't want to sell it if I don't have to. Thirdly, the internet on my phone costs me $10 extra a month for a phone that costed me $200 (from $399.99) and it gets ALOT of use. Everyone will have a phone with full internet capabilities sooner or later, it's very useful for directions and things when you're lost or whatnot. Lastly, I am planning on fixing the car, and it sounds like the o2 sensor might be causing all my problems.
Everyone else: Thanks again. I know hardly any other Prelude owners so it's good to hear from people who share at least one common interest. The o2 sensor is definitely causing at least one problem and the spoon valve might be causing the other. The dealership was ready to charge me $1735.50 in parts and $3300 total with labor; good thing I'm not retarded. I think everything is going to be okay and the Prelude will still get me from point A to point B in style.
By the way - Those who disrespect the Honda Civic shouldn't be a part of the Honda family. It's a popular car for good reasons.
A spoon valve is the part the needs to be replaced to fix the leak. Vtec leak is when there is a faulty spoon valve. Other than that, I'm not sure what to say.
I'm sorry, but the words you're using just don't make any sense.
By "VTEC leak", I'm going to assume your VTEC solenoid is leaking oil - this is an easy & inexpensive fix. Just unhook/unbolt the solenoid, put a new gasket on, and replace. The gasket will probably be about $15 at a Honda parts counter.
As for the spoon valve - the VTEC solenoid is sometimes referred to as a spool valve . . . could that be what you're talking about? Even if that's completely shot, a brand new one from Honda should only be $300 ($240 online), and about 8 minutes of labor. With a little work you can likely find a perfectly good one from a junkyard for much less. But as long as your VTEC is still engaging, it shouldn't need replacement - just fix the leak and it's good to go. Regardless of the VTEC solenoid's condition, unless there's a severe/obvious oil leak, that shouldn't affect the inspectability of the car.
So if Honda quoted you $255 for an O2 sensor, $300 for a VTEC solenoid (which you probably don't need), and an hour of labor for each . . . I still don't get what the $3300 quote consisted of. What else are they saying needs to be replaced? Knowing exactly what Honda is telling you (bogus or not) would help us help you . . .
And definitely follow Paul's advice & check the CEL yourself to see what exactly the computer is saying.
Quote:
And yes, the Gov't threatens to suspend your liscense if you don't pass emissions.
This still confuses me. If you get caught driving an uninspected vehicle bad things would happen . . . fines, etc. But I'm pretty sure you're not going to lose your license. At least, not as a first offense.
By the way - Those who disrespect the Honda Civic shouldn't be a part of the Honda family. It's a popular car for good reasons.
because half the people that drive them cant afford any other honda... and they see the movies with import cars and try to imitate them... im not saying all Civics are, i would drive a type R hatch or a civic h22 hatch swap.....but i would NEVER drive one over a lude....thats all im saying
__________________
[IMG]your signature is to large, please review the rules[/IMG]
I'm guessing that the dealer is saying that the spool valve is leaking, not past the seal to the outside of the motor, but internally, and that it has caused some head damage now.
I would start by retrieving any MILs (CELs/DTCs) with a reader at a local parts store, look up those codes, attack those problems, and maybe buy and use a compression tester (or borrow one) to see if there is anything mechanically wrong if the MILs don't shed light on or fix all the symptoms. I doubt the dealer would indicate headwork or something $3000+ for no good reason, though I do think it could be something easy that they don't want to troubleshoot or are interested in fixing cheaply.
I agree with the comment on the Civic. I don't like it and wouldn't buy it, but it's Prelude performance for a little less than the 2001 Prelude cost new and quite honestly the Civic Si/RSX motor embarasses the H22 in terms of technology AND performance.
Apparently you can apply for a one-year hardship extension so that you don't get your license suspended. If you can get the extension, this solves a few problems neatly:
1. You buy yourself some time, and stay a legal driver.
2. Buying time means that you don't necessarily have to sell the car and buy a new one. Yes, being at school sans car sucks, but a semester should be survivable. You can use the time to decide on your course of action, and then have the summer to make necessary repairs.
i love ludes for some odd reason.. you can find a car that handles better, a car that accelerates faster, and a car that can carry more things while waisting a lot less gas
so it really comes down to preferance... i was actually going to buy a 00' civic si in electron blue until my friend told me the lude came in electron blue (pearl of course), so i went to the dealer and tested both cars.. i loved the fact that the lude "felt" more mature .. i know the dash and climate control were dated.. and in 01'.. not many cars had hids or voice activated navi
so i got a lude.. that was my first, picked up 2 4th gens that didn't run and fixed them up as school projects and rides for my now fiance and my younger brother, the fiance didn't check the oil and it ran out.. so she looked for another car.. she really only looked at toyota and audi, toyota had nothing she wanted (her mom wanted her to get a corrolla or celica) and we looked into a used a4 (but have you seen the maintainance on those cars.. 1800 for a brake job and 1300 for a new clutch) so that idea was scraped.. i found an 01' lude that just had a new auto trans from honda installed and made a move on that.. that made 4 cause i never sold any.. and recently.. i found a killer deal on another 01' lude from florida and picked that one up for my younger bro
ludes are great daily drivers and fit the bill as far as what i and people close to me "really" need.. on top of all that.. there's a great community and all questions have answers especially here on po.com.. not to mention the local clubs in all areas, parts are relatively cheap and it's not a rare car that people won't know what you are talking about if you need an alternator, or a starter
it's also great that some 4th gen parts and some 5th gen parts can be swapped over.. suspension, rear brake pads.. not really a good reason to get both..hehehe
but ludes are pretty cheap now.. and like i stated in the other post.. if the engine blows and you got time.. it'll run about 2000 to get everything fixed and new into the car..
but... i have to admit... i have a 92' vx hatch .. it can't accel for crap, can't handle for crap.. but it gets over 45 mpg and can hold a bunch of things.. i like to consider it my mini-van
i know this is completly off topic.. but have you tried to change the a/c belt or alternator belt on an old civic?.. it makes you so glad you have a lude
so in the end.. i have a lude because it's cheap to maintain and easy to work on
=)
i don't think i will love any other car the same way.. you should see me when i get a used lude.. i do a stupid 100 point inspection that involes taking out the interior, removing headlights and front bumper, getting new suspension and brakes, changin all the belts, changing all the fluids.. and this is all after somebody tells me that everything has been done and the car is ready to just drive as is (but hey.. that's just how i am)
to get back to the topic.. i completly understand your frustration right now... feels like nothing is going your way and you're just ready to give up and start a new.. but you can also think of it in this light.. if you do get another car.. if it's not a new car of course.. used cars are just that.. they are used.. you will never know what that car has been put through or what might break on you in the near future.. but if you put that money into your car to get it running right and in tip top condition.. then you will have that piece of mind that when you go out to your car in the morning.. it will start.. or if you need to go on a road trip, you'll make it back without a hitch
I'm guessing that the dealer is saying that the spool valve is leaking, not past the seal to the outside of the motor, but internally, and that it has caused some head damage now.
Ah, interesting. I didn't know that was a possibility.
I had a simular issue in Kane county outside of Chicago with an O2 failure and do or die date from the Smog Patrol. I wound up buying the spark plug anti-foul extension and a "pretty good" O2 sensor from Autozone. I cleared the CEl and ran the car for about 2-3 days to establish a history then brought it in on the coldest day possible. I passed with flying colors and I'm good for another round. Just an FYI, you can apply for a one time extension in Illinois or try regestering your car at a relatives address outside of the state. This would require new plates but it was going to be my last option before loosing my plates.
__________________
An optimist sees a donut... a pessimist sees a hole... I refuse to go hungry... Let's eat!!!
because half the people that drive them cant afford any other honda... and they see the movies with import cars and try to imitate them... im not saying all Civics are, i would drive a type R hatch or a civic h22 hatch swap.....but i would NEVER drive one over a lude....thats all im saying
quit whoring this thread and fix your sig, it is to large
__________________ shoRt-scott!
RIP Guru
2008.5 Titan
1990 240sx
Ah, interesting. I didn't know that was a possibility.
It's not really a possibility, or not one I know of. I'm thinking the dealer doesn't really know what they are doing, or at least the service advisor, and they are throwing that out as some worst-case scenario before they try and diagnose the problem.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
MOO!
Linear Mode
