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Hi

New to the forums, first time Civic owner. I'm quite familiar with vehicles but I always defer to those who've been working with them longer.

A few weeks ago I stumbled into a great deal, 1999 Civic 4 door sedan with the SOHC engine, 43000KM (not miles) on it, all original. No rust (miracle in Nova Scotia). The car was owned by an elderly woman who bought it for her kids to drive when they visited (back seat never used, trunk either). They started to fight over it because she gave up her license, she got pissed at their greed and sold it. To me for $1800 (her price, not mine).

Anyways, it was kept in a nice garage, the rubber seals, etc on it are all immaculate, and the belt drive isn't cracked or anything from climate/age. I've been debating on changing the timing belt since it has never been done since the car was new. The car looks close to brand new, 0 rust anywhere except where the exhaust saw moisture and oxidization on metal which is natural.

Now come the questions :

Do I need to pull the valve cover off to check the timing belt?

Even though the car has very low km, never been abused, should I change the waterpump? I think it's fine personally.

Is there anything I should look at or do while I'm there?


Essentially I'll be changing out things due to age, not wear. What items are a must for an 18 year old mint Civic? So mint it's disgusting

 
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definitely do the timing belt, water pump may be ok but it's only about $150 and it will be staring you in the face while you're doing the timing belt, plus the pump might need to be changed anyways depending on the condition of the coolant. Change out as many of the fluids as you can, oil, trans, coolant, brakes, power steering, etc.

And get it oil sprayed

Congrats on the score!

 
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It's been undercoated since new, so no worries there, and I have my AMC Eagle for winter driving. It's a bit more beastly with the updated drivetrain

 
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So with my experience with timing belts on hondas, yes you do take the valve cover off to see the timing belt. I had to take the valve cover off and then the top timing cover off to see the belt itself. Plus remove the power steering pump, the alternator and remove the dreadful harmonic balancer pulley bolt. That was the most difficult part of the whole thing. Went thru 3 breaker bars because they just snapped. Finally got a pneumatic gun and it came off. I bought the timing belt, water pump and belt tensioner pulley for 100 bucks.

 
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Nice find, and congrats! Why not post some pictures?


Timing belt, water pump, timing belt tensioner, tensioner spring, valve cover gaskets... get the whole package done at once. You can buy bundles that include everything in them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/96-00-Honda-...BVv6Tu&vxp=mtr

If a bundle doesn't include a tensioner spring, I'd buy one separately.

 
Rep Power: 210

Mileage (26,000) wise the current timing belt is fine. However, it's past the recommended age of 7 years. Pulling the upper timing belt cover off to inspect the belt tells you nothing of it's condition as it may look fine visually but still have weak spots due to age. The waterpump is your call..IMO I'd be fine with a WP with only 26k miles on it but, I certainly understand Colin's suggestion for replacing it during timing belt replacement. Spend the xtra money and use Honda OE/OEM parts for timing belt (and WP if you go that route). Current tensioner and spring is okay to re-use at 26k miles. Do not use that Ebay linked kit.

How long has the car sat unused? If more than six months I'd be tempted to drain the gas tank from underneath car and replace fuel filter to avoid sediments and/or water in gas.

If an automatic transmission an (3x3) ATF drain and fill at 30k miles is good practice but, not a necessity.

 
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I'd go for Honda brand parts but they're too expensive for my budget right now. I've been over to RockAuto looking at the prices of the brands I've put into my other cars (Jeeps, AMCs, Subaru, Hyundai) and none have failed me, although I stay away from the lesser quality brands. Tranny fluid is on my list, 18 year old original fluid has a way of breaking down.

I'll post a pic or 2 when I get out my camera and it's not raining out.