On Mar 26, 6:54 pm, Seavey <Seavey.3po...@no-mx.forums.travel.com>
wrote:
> Greetings car people of the world. I am investigating a 1996 Honda 4
> cylinder - automatic.

LX, DX, EX, HX?

> It has 196000 miles on it. It looks good but I
> have 3 questions: 1)The valves seem noisy, what can be done or are they
> in bad condition.

Depending on the type of noise, the owner may simply have adjusted the
valve lash somewhat high. This is preferable to somewhat low, which
can destroy valves. If the noise goes away after half an hour or so of
driving, it is probably a valve adjustment on the conservative (=
safe) side.

> 2) Is it a good idea to replace the timing belt before
> it breaks,

Is there any documentation as to when it was last changed?

In this same vein: How many owners has this car had? Have you done a
title check using autocheck.com to see if it is a salvage vehicle?
Have you compared the asking price to the kbb.com price? Is there a
full maintenance history available?

> and at what mileage should this be done

Every 90,000 miles or six years, whichever comes first, for the 1996
Honda. See the maintenance schedule in the free owner's manual at
https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/...01_OMANUAL.asp

> (will the engine
> damage itself if it breaks while running)?

It is an interference engine, so the chances are good that a failed
timing belt will damage the engine. From reading anecdotal reports, I
put the chances at about 50-50. But this is a big risk. If there is
any doubt as to when the belt was last changed, change it. AFAIC the
first thing anyone should do with an older Honda is change the timing
belt, water pump, cam and crank seals, and probably TB tensioner.

> 3) would you say that, in
> general, a well cared for Honda will make it to 300000 miles without
> major overhauls of anything?

In what part of the country has this Honda mostly been driven? The
more snow and salt, the more body problems, particularly around the
undercarriage.

Otherwise, see my comments above.

> This is not for myself. I am married to
> one sister, another sister is getting the car and a third sister is
> paying for it. I am in the middle of this, so as you can tell its
> important that I get good information.

You're a good husband and brother-in-law.

All of you should read http://honda.lioness.googlepages.com/buyingused