Honda Car Forum

Just prior to my second ex-patriation from the United States, family
members gave me the use of '96 Accord to commute to and from work on a
40-mile interstate route. After 4-5 months of that, I must have put
about a bit more than 10,000 miles on it.

During that time, I have personally done 3 oil changes, way-overdue air
filter change, way-overdue PCV valve, way-overdue plug and wire set
change, and a way-overdue tire rotation. Odometer now reads 111K miles.

Maintenance that I am positive is necessary is flush and fill of coolant
system (haven't got around to doing it yet) and probably a new gasket on
the valve cover (don't know if I can do that). As to the valve cover, I
noticed oil accumulated in the spark plug wells when I was changing the
plugs, but the car doesn't smoke nor did the old plugs show signs of oil
burn. I probably need to service the power steering fluid too (once I
find the container under the hood) and attend to many other things.

With all that, I also notice that the sound of the car at warm idle seems
different than when I started using it. Engine seem less quiet, but not
worrisome.

I am thinking of taking it over to Quality Tune-Up (for those who know
the chain) for one of those "menu checkups" like a 90,000 mile service
with a request for other specific service recommendations (assuming I can
afford to authorize them).

The problem is, many of those set menu checkups don't find, attend to, or
repair the car's specific needs. I have not familiarized myself (done
comprehensive research) on the Accord's usual historical problems that
occur in the life of an Accord (I post here for that purpose).

I can't reliably obtain the service record on it. However, the owners
tell me that they bought the 90,000 miles ago (as a salvage), and that
50,000 miles ago they paid about $1000 to a recommended service outfit
that corrected a defect (for which there had been a Honda recall on
warranted cars) in which oil spit out the side (something to do with
seals; separate from the valve cover gasket defect). At that time they
had other routine service put on it (probably a timing belt change and
perhaps other seals replaced) as well.

What service can experienced Accord owners recommend I request when I
take it in?

Well if you don't know whether or not the timing belt was changed that was
to be done at 105K I believe..or was it 90 k? Either way it would be
overdue. You didn't mention if this was a v-tech engine or not? A thousand
dollars is quite high to just add a seal retainer on a car. If you can't
get verification of the t-belt being replaced then now would be a good time
to do it.

The only tune-up items would be 4 spark plugs, wires wouldn't be a bad idea
if they have been soaking in oil, a cap and a rotor. Check the air filter,
pcv valve and replacing the fuel filter wouldn't be a bad idea. There are
NO adjustments needed..generally.

Obviously the valve cover gasket and related spark plug oil seals need to be
replaced and I think the valve lash inspected.

There are no historical problems for 96 Accords.....

CaptainKrunch


"Responsible Driver" <motorist@fullattention.com> wrote in message
news:Xns950D8683BE9ADmj123@64.164.98.49...
>
> Just prior to my second ex-patriation from the United States, family
> members gave me the use of '96 Accord to commute to and from work on a
> 40-mile interstate route. After 4-5 months of that, I must have put
> about a bit more than 10,000 miles on it.
>
> During that time, I have personally done 3 oil changes, way-overdue air
> filter change, way-overdue PCV valve, way-overdue plug and wire set
> change, and a way-overdue tire rotation. Odometer now reads 111K miles.
>
> Maintenance that I am positive is necessary is flush and fill of coolant
> system (haven't got around to doing it yet) and probably a new gasket on
> the valve cover (don't know if I can do that). As to the valve cover, I
> noticed oil accumulated in the spark plug wells when I was changing the
> plugs, but the car doesn't smoke nor did the old plugs show signs of oil
> burn. I probably need to service the power steering fluid too (once I
> find the container under the hood) and attend to many other things.
>
> With all that, I also notice that the sound of the car at warm idle seems
> different than when I started using it. Engine seem less quiet, but not
> worrisome.
>
> I am thinking of taking it over to Quality Tune-Up (for those who know
> the chain) for one of those "menu checkups" like a 90,000 mile service
> with a request for other specific service recommendations (assuming I can
> afford to authorize them).
>
> The problem is, many of those set menu checkups don't find, attend to, or
> repair the car's specific needs. I have not familiarized myself (done
> comprehensive research) on the Accord's usual historical problems that
> occur in the life of an Accord (I post here for that purpose).
>
> I can't reliably obtain the service record on it. However, the owners
> tell me that they bought the 90,000 miles ago (as a salvage), and that
> 50,000 miles ago they paid about $1000 to a recommended service outfit
> that corrected a defect (for which there had been a Honda recall on
> warranted cars) in which oil spit out the side (something to do with
> seals; separate from the valve cover gasket defect). At that time they
> had other routine service put on it (probably a timing belt change and
> perhaps other seals replaced) as well.
>
> What service can experienced Accord owners recommend I request when I
> take it in?