AndyK

Slightly off-topic, but my father's '90 Accord was loaned to me while he is in Florida for the winter, so I can use it as a station car. My father treated the car like hell, so when I got it, I took it to the local garage for a PPI type going over. When the mechanic called me, I thought I was in bizzaro world!!??

I need to replace the O2 sensor, and an O ring seal (leaking oil)...no problem. Then, he says Honda recommends changing the timing belt after
7 years! OK...what could a timing belt change for a Honda possibly cost--$100? WRONG! I need to change the belt, rollers, AND WATER PUMP!? $550!! AAAAAAAAAA!! Say it ain't so! ANOTHER water cooler in my driveway!?

Not only that, if it was an '87 Accord, the engine would have been an Interference version--timing belt goes = bent valves!!

Spooky, huh! <img src="graemlins/icon107.gif" border="0" alt="[icon107]" />

Danno

Hey I guess ALL cars are cousins, eh? A Ferrari Testarossa needs a timing-belt change every couple of years too. Last time I checked, the job costs $5000-8000 because you gotta drop the engine out of the car to get to the timing belts! And we thought Porsche had sadistic engineers....

M758

I had to buy a $56 dollar battery temperature sensor for 98 Jeep Cherokee just to make sure the check engine light does not come on so I don't then have to pay $85 bucks to tell me that it is a useless sensor has shorted out!!

Bryan Welch

Honda generally recommends a new timing belt every 90,000 miles. Most Honda people recommend changing the water pump at that time because it's easy and cheap. They are interference engines and will self-destruct with a broken timing belt. They are like Porsches in that if you take care of them they last a long time.

Bryan
87 Honda Prelude 2.0si with 296,000 miles
88 Honda Prelude 2.0si with 127,000 miles

Chris Martin

The water pump for the accord is $50, ad $75 for a kit that includes both belts and tensioners. About 2-3 hours from start to finish, not a bad job. I wish I could get $550 for doing one of those!

Oh, O2 sensor sometimes siezes, so you might need to heat it up. Part $75.

Danno

Don't know much about Hondas, but do some of the later ones use a wideband O2-sensor?

AndyK

Hey Bryan-
The car only has 50k, but since it's 12 years old, the mechanic said replace the belts before they break from age...

Bad advice??

ribs

Honda motors are the only other motors that I know of that use an open deck design like our 4 cylinders (as well as 928's)....this is a weak spot when turbocharging the motors so there are several companies that sell cylinder top braces for boosted honda motors...I know someone here had one custom made for their 951, but I don't know of any companies that make a production cylinder brace. Interesting, huh? What other car manufacturers use an open deck design for their motors?

951Tom

AndyK, did you get your popping plug wire issue fixed?

AndyK

Tom L.--I replaced the plugs with NGK coppers, and I think my boots are holding! Could have been one of the plugs, or something.

I ordered a new cap and rotor, just in case. How do you get the old one off, by the way??

Porsche5050

I also own a 1990 Honda Accord. I had my timing belt done at 96,000 miles and now my car has 213,000 miles on it. All of those miles were highway miles and the car runs perfect but I know the car can go 300,000 with no problems so I'll get it done even though it's going to cost half the value of the car. Get the timing belt done. If it breaks the same thing that happens to a 944 will happen to an Accord. Currently my 951 and Accord need T-belt jobs and are overdue so I'm driving them constantly thinking about it. My Accord is the perfect everyday driver and the Porsche is great for the weekends. Once I get the belts and h2o pumps changed I'll be in automotive bliss.

Steve Lavigne

[quote]Originally posted by Danno:
<strong>Don't know much about Hondas, but do some of the later ones use a wideband O2-sensor?</strong><hr></blockquote>

The O2 sensor for a late model Civic HX is the same as what is used in a mid 90's Ferrari 3.5 liter F1 car.

I had a friend of mine who worked at the parts counter at a Seattle area Honda dealership. Apparently the F1 car is based in Tacoma, WA and is the only 3.5 liter Ferrari not in Ferrari's posession. Ferrari and Magnetti Marelli didn't want to sell him the part, but he was able to somehow figure out what it was and get it from his local Honda dealer.

The Civic HX is their high fuel efficiency model (non hybrid), so a very sensitive O2 sensor would make a lot of sense. These engines must run on the bleeding edge of detonation.