eager2learn

Backstory first:
I brought my car into my mechanic due to a oil leak. The car in question is a 97 Honda Civic EX 5 Speed Coupe. He suggested I replaced the engine assembly. I forgot the reason why but I said okay. $1,600 was charged to my accounts for the repairs/service. He said he was going to put in another used engine but on the receipt is said engine assembly replacement along other services.

A few months later after I got my car back. I drove for a few additional months and I noticed oil leaking under my car again. I brought it in to get checked out. He then called me in a few weeks later saying my car is ready. He said he replaced a "VTEC Solenoid Gasket. I was foolish in that I didn't ask for receipt but he did charged me $160 for the repair. A month later, I noticed oil leaking under my car again.

Questions:
1) Does a 97 Honda Civic EX 5 Speed Coupe even have a VTEC Solenoid? My car isn't even a VTEC?
2) Just to be sure, how can I check that my car isn't really a VTEC if a 97 Honda Civic EX 5 Speed Coupe isn't supposed to have a VTEC Solenoid?
3) How can I check that my mechanic did really replace my engine assembly? What does it mean to replace an engine assembly? He mentioned he was going to put another used engine inside, is there some kind of bar code or engine serial code I can check or look for?
4) Could my oil leak be a result of a loose oil pan bolt (The bolt you use to drain the oil)? What's the best way to check? Because the oil leak happens after I go for a drive. If I turn it on cold and let it run on idle, I don't see any leak, but I only let it idle for 5 seconds then turn it offu. Should I let it idle for longer?

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

sdaidoji

iTrader: (1)

if he put a different engine in, you will need to check which engine he put in. At the mating engine/transmission, you should find a code, D16xx. Check that first.

for oil leaks, check the engine bay after you drive.

Wankenstein

OP: I hope your mechanic at least offered to use lube to ease the pain..lol. Your mechanic sucks and you should always get a second opinion when it comes to a major repair like engine replacement. Maybe he has an expensive drug habit?

mac25

...That car is only worth like $2000.

Might have been cheaper to sell the car cheap with the leak for $1000 and found another $2000 car that would then only net you a $1000 loss.

RobertD

it's really not fair to judge the mechanic without the OP remembering why he recommended engine replacement. maybe it had a worn thrust bearing causing excessive crankshaft end play and was pushing the oil seals partially out due to a poorly selected overly stiff clutch, a shitty owner neglecting oil changes or a shitty driver holding the clutch pedal in at redlights since 1997.

his previous post doesn't sound like a mechanic out to rob him and sell him unneeded stuff:

I'm back with an update for future reference.

It turns out my clutch-fork snapped. It broke.

My mechanic welded it back together.

I lost the photo.

It's working fine now

eager2learn

Yeah. He treated me well in the past. But he supposedly put in a new (used) engine and it is leaking oil after several months of city driving. I brought it back to him to fix and it is still leaking oil. It's just sketchy now.

eager2learn

Where can I find a car in drive-able conditions for 2k?

Colin42

i could find about a dozen civics in my area for that price or less that run and drive

GolNat

iTrader: (7)