'98 Honda Civic

[GreenDiesel]

I'm just new to this forum and still finding my way around!

My wife and I have a '98 Honda Civic which we bought new. It has about 160,000 km on it and, so far, it has not required any major servicing. It does not run as smoothly as it used to and I find that it runs much better and more quietly when it uses the highest grade of gas.

Recently, the "Service-engine" light came on which (according to the small garage that we use) meant that one of the fuel emission devices needed replacing which cost about $300.

Anyway, my question is: How long should or could we keep this car running? We put about 14,000 km on it each year. It's our second car and I mainly use it for commuting to/from work each day (a round trip of 36 km). I realize that this is a huge question that depends on many factors, but I thought I'd still ask it!

I'm hoping it will be "good" for at least 200,000 km or even 250,000, but then there's also the age-of-the-car factor as well.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Rob

[EX99STICK]

Rob:
Your Civic probably needs a new OX sensor. Check with the auto parts stores in your area and find out which ones will scan your car's computer (free service) for error codes. That should point you in the right direction.
Your Civic is barely broken in at 160 km. I have a '99 EX sedan with 130 km that gets 40 mpg and never gives any problems. My first Civic was a '96 that went approx. 300 km before I sold it for $2,000. The key is to run synthetic oil, keep your tires (I run Pirelli P4s) at 45 psi, switch to 15 inch wheels (used from 2001 thru 2005), and drive easily (no jack rabbit starts and shift below 2k rpm). I'm planning on modifying the trans with the final drive ratio from a VX model to reduce the rpms on the hwy, and adding a front spoiler from a 2000 Civic SI to reduce frontal drag. A KN air filter may also be in the works to improve breathing.
Civics are somewhat noisy, so I took the door panels and carpeting out and added cheap pipe insulation (looks like foil on one side, self-stick on the other) to the insides of the outer door panels and backdies of the interior door panels, two layers to the front and rear footwells, and even under the seats (removed them of course). Then I took the dash cluster, radio, and glovebox out and stuffed small pieces of 1 inch thick foam (available from a fabric store) in all of the dash crevices. The transformation to the inside is absolutely amazing...no more noise!

Best wishes,
Alex Manz - Lewis Center, OH

Good luck

Originally Posted by GreenDiesel

I'm just new to this forum and still finding my way around!

My wife and I have a '98 Honda Civic which we bought new. It has about 160,000 km on it and, so far, it has not required any major servicing. It does not run as smoothly as it used to and I find that it runs much better and more quietly when it uses the highest grade of gas.

Recently, the "Service-engine" light came on which (according to the small garage that we use) meant that one of the fuel emission devices needed replacing which cost about $300.

Anyway, my question is: How long should or could we keep this car running? We put about 14,000 km on it each year. It's our second car and I mainly use it for commuting to/from work each day (a round trip of 36 km). I realize that this is a huge question that depends on many factors, but I thought I'd still ask it!

I'm hoping it will be "good" for at least 200,000 km or even 250,000, but then there's also the age-of-the-car factor as well.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Rob

[GreenDiesel]

Originally Posted by EX99STICK

Rob:
Your Civic probably needs a new OX sensor. Check with the auto parts stores in your area and find out which ones will scan your car's computer (free service) for error codes. That should point you in the right direction.
Your Civic is barely broken in at 160 km. I have a '99 EX sedan with 130 km that gets 40 mpg and never gives any problems. My first Civic was a '96 that went approx. 300 km before I sold it for $2,000. The key is to run synthetic oil, keep your tires (I run Pirelli P4s) at 45 psi, switch to 15 inch wheels (used from 2001 thru 2005), and drive easily (no jack rabbit starts and shift below 2k rpm). I'm planning on modifying the trans with the final drive ratio from a VX model to reduce the rpms on the hwy, and adding a front spoiler from a 2000 Civic SI to reduce frontal drag. A KN air filter may also be in the works to improve breathing.
Civics are somewhat noisy, so I took the door panels and carpeting out and added cheap pipe insulation (looks like foil on one side, self-stick on the other) to the insides of the outer door panels and backdies of the interior door panels, two layers to the front and rear footwells, and even under the seats (removed them of course). Then I took the dash cluster, radio, and glovebox out and stuffed small pieces of 1 inch thick foam (available from a fabric store) in all of the dash crevices. The transformation to the inside is absolutely amazing...no more noise!
Best wishes,
Alex Manz - Lewis Center, OH
Good luck

Thanks, Alex. This is helpful -- good ideas to consider. I certainly like the idea of adding insulation to reduce the noise, because it sure is on the noisy side! Cheers, Rob

[EX99STICK]

Rob:
If the OX sensor turns out to be the culprit, do yourself a favor and do the job yourself...you'll save about $200 US. Go to an autoparts store and buy a generic Bosch OX sensor (cost is about $25 or $30). The hardest part will be removing your old sensor from the front of the exhaust manifold. If a pair of Vice Grips doesn't work, you may have to break down and buy a special socket to do it (you may even need to use a couple of feet of pipe as a cheater bar with a 1/2" drive and the socket to get the old sensor off. The new sensor comes in a kit form and will list which way it needs to be connected according to your model of car (remember...kit is generic).

Since you just bought this Civic you should probably also replace the fuel filter (easy to reach on the firewall), the plug wires and plugs (Bosch makes excellent repalcements for both...get the platinum plugs), replace the distributor cap, clean your fuel injectors, and clean the dust and dirt out of the air box and put in a new filter. Civics like fresh fluids and ignition parts.

Also, where are you located...England, Australia, or Canada?

Best wishes,
Alex Manz - Lewis Center, OH

Originally Posted by GreenDiesel

Thanks, Alex. This is helpful -- good ideas to consider. I certainly like the idea of adding insulation to reduce the noise, because it sure is on the noisy side! Cheers, Rob

[EX99STICK]

I'm new to the site...just noticed you're in Canada...doh!

Originally Posted by EX99STICK

Rob:
Your Civic probably needs a new OX sensor. Check with the auto parts stores in your area and find out which ones will scan your car's computer (free service) for error codes. That should point you in the right direction.
Your Civic is barely broken in at 160 km. I have a '99 EX sedan with 130 km that gets 40 mpg and never gives any problems. My first Civic was a '96 that went approx. 300 km before I sold it for $2,000. The key is to run synthetic oil, keep your tires (I run Pirelli P4s) at 45 psi, switch to 15 inch wheels (used from 2001 thru 2005), and drive easily (no jack rabbit starts and shift below 2k rpm). I'm planning on modifying the trans with the final drive ratio from a VX model to reduce the rpms on the hwy, and adding a front spoiler from a 2000 Civic SI to reduce frontal drag. A KN air filter may also be in the works to improve breathing.
Civics are somewhat noisy, so I took the door panels and carpeting out and added cheap pipe insulation (looks like foil on one side, self-stick on the other) to the insides of the outer door panels and backdies of the interior door panels, two layers to the front and rear footwells, and even under the seats (removed them of course). Then I took the dash cluster, radio, and glovebox out and stuffed small pieces of 1 inch thick foam (available from a fabric store) in all of the dash crevices. The transformation to the inside is absolutely amazing...no more noise!

Best wishes,
Alex Manz - Lewis Center, OH

Good luck