Rep Power: 136

Hello,

I came across a 2000 Civic Si MT (132k mi) that has me drooling and I'm scheduling a meeting to inspect the car. If all goes well, I may soon be a proud owner of an amazing Si!! I was hoping to get some pointers as to what to look out for specifically for this car.

The following items have been replaced:
- radiator
- koni adjustable suspensions
- clutch
- greddy exhaust
- Aem short ram intake

Anything I should look out for with regard to the above items? Also, I've read about gear grinding issues, so I'll definitely feel for that. What else would you guys be keeping an eye/ear out for? Any general advice on used car shopping is also greatly welcome (this is my first purchase).


Thanks in advance!

 
Rep Power: 210

proof of last timing belt service would be my first question,

other then that....front lower ball joints, and front lower control arm bushings would be my next concern

 
Rep Power: 205

Well, find out when the timing belt was replaced because if it hasn't then it's long overdue. Were genuine Honda parts used? If not then.. well if it were me I'd do it again. My car is roughly at 132k miles and upper control arms have needed to be done but no lower front suspension or ball joints. The rear suspension could use some attention at this point. Most of rear bushings need replacing but are still functional at this point. Radiator grill them about why. If it overheated then head gasket may need to be replaced. The other stuff suggested some wanna be racer owned the car so buyer beware! The clutch again genuine Honda parts or aftermarket. If aftermarket then stage 1,2,3 Clutch. Accidents? Anything over 2000, title clean or salvage?

I've been very pleased with my 99 Civic but all the regular maintenance has been done religiously and it has been driven with care.

 
Rep Power: 136

Thanks for the replies!

I'll definitely dig for more info on the timing belt and radiator. Thanks for those tips.

For the head gasket, is there a good way to inspect for damage or excessive wear?

I've done a bunch of car repairs myself, so I'm not so concerned with "simpler" items like ball joints, control arms, bushings, etc. If anything, I'd think they are normal wear-and-tear items for a car this age.

 
Rep Power: 205

I think the best way to check that would be to say, "so you replaced the headgasket when the car overheated?" When their explaining why they replaced the radiator.



Really tough to diagnose that in a test drive situation.

 
Rep Power: 136

Hi again,

So I decided to pass on the car because the owner seemed a little sketchy. But the good news is that I found a different Si to buy.

I tested the car today and there were a couple of problems:

1) Rubbing noise from rear when braking or going over bumps. The owner says that it's the rear control arm bushing rubbing (he didn't lube them up when he replaced them). Do you guys think this is actually the problem or is it something else?

2) AC clutch doesn't engage even after bypassing the relay. Possible fixes?

 
Rep Power: 205

6th gen? 96-00...

My cars got 132k miles on it and some of the rear bushings are worn out and starting to make noise. Recently replaced...I'd doubt it. Or if they are recently replaced then it's something else making noise.

 
Rep Power: 136

Thanks for the reply.

Yup, it's a 2000 Si. Now that I think about it, I think he said that he had replaced the bolts that go into the control arms, but not the control arms themselves. So is it still possible that the bushings are the cause for the noise? Also, is this something that a shop would be able to identify easily?

 
Rep Power: 205

I'm not at a PC right now or I'd post a diagram of the rear suspension. There's A large bushing you can see at the front of the rear tire that's the most expensive to replace. It's easy to see if the rubber in the bushing is torn. There's a smaller arm at the top of the tire and another further forward of the large bushing. Both are fairly easy and cheap to replace. If you can stand the noise they aren't critical to replace. Honestly if it's in good condition that's one of the most desirable Civics made to date.

.....but yes it's likely they are the source of noise and easy for a shop to identify.

 
Rep Power: 136

Do you happen to know the names of the components you're talking about? I can look it up. So simply adding grease isn't going to fix it, will it? Or at least that might only be fixing the symptom rather than cause?

 
Rep Power: 205

Just on my way to work right now but this is a fairly good representation of the rear bushings including the LCA arms.....

http://www.trinituner.com/v3/forums/archive/168469.html

adding grease isn't going to fix things...

 
Rep Power: 136

I have to agree with you. I did a bunch of reading and I didn't come across anything about greasing to fix that noise.

So I double checked with the owner and he says that he changed the rear upper and lower control arms, along with the bushings and bolts.

Any idea what might be the true cause of the noise?

 
Rep Power: 205

It's all just kind of random guesses for me since I can't actually hear what you're talking about. An si trim will have a sway bar as well that could be making noise. Physically push down on the back of the car and see if you can isolate the noise?

 
Rep Power: 136

Thanks for all the help!!

I took the car to my auto shop and they said that the noise was most likely coming from the rear shock mounts. Everything else checked out and we agreed on a mutually favorable price, so I'm now a proud owner of a 2000 Si!!!!!!!!!!!

 
Rep Power: 205

Nice...you'll love that car!!