Rep Power: 0

OK--first post--thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer. I am a proud 2003 Civic owner, but after 244,000 miles, I fear I have reached the end. Recently my car started to run ragged, so I brought it to a non-dealer shop and was told I had two bad coils. I had never had it tuned up (my crazy belief was 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'--but it worked for ages), so I decided a tune-up wouldn't be bad. So, I get the tune-up and two new coils. Ran well for a couple weeks, then went south again--same ragged performance--missing--wouldn't take gas properly--but starts well, idles well, and can be driven if gas is feathered and you don't mind the intermittent herky-jerky bucking.

I brought it back to the same shop and they replaced the other two coils, but the problem is still there. They suggested a higher octane gas, and I was skeptical--never was a problem before. Sure enough, better gas didn't fix it.

I am poor and cannot afford a new car, nor can I afford to throw money down a mysterious misfire rabbit hole. I have never replaced the timing belt, but my thinking is that a bad belt is a bad belt, and there are times when my car seems to run ok. Starts fine, idles fine. I thought it was a humidity issue, as it got ragged as soon as it started raining one time, but it does it without rain as well. I feel like I wasted the coil money and am distressed. I have mental illness and this is really weighing on me. I wish I knew more and could do more myself, but I have no tools or garage. If it was a $100 fix or a relatively cheap sensor or something, I would be willing to try.

Should I just give it a proper burial? Is 244,400 all anyone can expect? I am the original owner, and it has given be over eleven great years. Sad. Thanks for reading.

 
Rep Power: 208

listening to this advice was your first mistake, two coils would never fail at the exact same time, what process did they use to determine this?

yup you did, however its not entirely your fault, its the fault of an incompetent mechanic

is your check engine light coming on at any point in time?

if so, you need to get those codes read, did the other moron, ooppss, mechanic read any codes?

 
Rep Power: 0

Well, I have found that dealer shops have a fair share of morons, and you pay extra for their services there, unfortunately. I took my car to the dealer every time until they charged me $190 to tell me I should buy a new car. I also got tired of wasting time on their 1000-point inspection (do they really think I am going to put $7,000 into it at every oil change?!?!). Yes, he checked the codes. The light is on again, so maybe I'll take it to a parts store that checks codes and see for myself. I needed to have some hydraulic repairs to my clutch, and this shop did a great job at a fair price--much lower than the dealer would have charged--so I had some confidence. I have also poked around the forum and found that replacing coils is fairly standard when hunting for a persistent, mystery misfiring issue. So I don't fault him. If anything, I suppose I should have read the writing on the wall and not put any more money into it.

 
Rep Power: 242

It has 224k miles and you never replaced the timing belt?!?

 
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244,450. I would consider it if I knew that it would solve the problem, but at this point, it seems like it may be time to turn the ventilator off.

 
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X2

The car does have high miles, but if taken care of and maintained properly it shouldn't be a huge issue.

Have you done, or someone else, done a compression/leak down test?

 
Rep Power: 0

No compression/leakdown test. To be honest, I am not familiar with that. What would that be determining? I can google. Is that an expensive test?

 
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I googled. Sounds like a leakdown test would be very labor-intensive. If this were your car, would you thank it for the miles and move on?

 
Rep Power: 203

at 224k miles on a single timing belt I'd do more than thank it. I'd probably buy it some good gas and an air filter...maybe some plugs...expensive oil.

 
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If the motor has 244K, then the wheels, front-end, and everything else does too. So maybe for safety-sake, I will move on. If they weren't so bad on gas, I would consider borrowing money for a Crosstour. I could do the meth lab thing again, but I have an infant son, and my wife says the fumes are not healthy. Maybe I will do another slip-and-fall at Safeway.

 
Rep Power: 366

i believe he is the third i seen on this forum past 200k that is still on the stock TB. fourth on the stock HG also? not may, but they are there.

 
Rep Power: 366

you got enough miles without spending too much in maintenance items that WE did not have the pleasure of enjoying, so i would say your civic did you great!
the TB/HG, if you consider a $ per mile, is really not much in the long run... better than having them fail. which could happen or not. yer the lucky one

 
Rep Power: 0

You can rent/borrow and compression test gauge set from most auto parts stores for free...in little time it will reveal some good info.

Where are you located, IF you are somewhat close I have someone that may be interested in your car.

 
Rep Power: 199

A decent mechanic will diagnose, not throw parts at it... As for the miles, mine has 202xxx and would drive it to Alaska tomorrow. Maintenance goes a long way though. Vehicles aren't cheap as you stated, and maintenance is cheap insurance. A leak-down test is not labor intensive at all and you should easily be able to get a quote for it. And, yes parts changers are at dealers, they are also at other shops, but usually a decent dealership will stand behind their work. Shadetrees tend to fire the parts cannon and hope something sticks at your pocketbook's expense. Codes are only a guide, they still need diagnosed. When there is more than one failure it usually points to something common like air leaks, 02 sensors, exhausts, wiring, fuel pump, remember "Keep It Simple Stupid" not an insult KISS is an acronym, like water in the fuel.