so i just bought a 91 honda civic and...

[readallen]

and how and where do i find out what engine and trans it has , and just overall information because i am new to honda world, it read 267000 milesand its a manual. what are the things i should check on first. the steering creaks , i think it is the ball joints. and the starter not working all the time , i tapped it with a hammer and it would slowly spin but not kick to the flywheel, i pull started it and after that it started working again. all help will be appreciated. i will put pic up tomorrow if someone could help identify what i have.

[Tony]

What model is the car? STD, DX, Si? STDs will have a 4 spd manual transmission with black bumpers. DXs have painted bumpers, 5 spd transmission, but long gears. Sis will have painted bumpers, 5 spd with short gears and sunroof. You can check the engine code on a small flat spot on the block beside the exhaust manifold where the engine and transmission meet, it will be something like D15B2, D16A6 or something like that.

[FrodoGT]

Easy question dowuld be..is it a 5 spd and does it have a sunroof?

5 yes sunroof no, dx. yesto both, si. No to both, std.

[Tony]

You know me, I make things more complicated than they have to be.

[readallen]

it has a d15b2 and the circles above the exhaust manifold - one on the passenger side says 8/9 and the ones on the drivers side say 1/2 and 1/5 and a blank one, all in order from left to right.

[readallen]

the distributor has TD-0?U and the trans has SL3 -"######"

[Tony]

D15B2 is your engine code, its what came in the DX stock. Transmissions are hard to identify because they don't have any good markings on them. Most of the time you have to get under it and play with the axles or something to figure out what gears are in the transmission. Most likely you still have the stock DX transmission, which is 5 spd with long gears. Your 5th gear is more of an overdrive than anything else.

As for your starter...mine did that after it was sitting for awhile. Once I finally got it started, I haven't had a problem out of it since.

[FrodoGT]

Welcome to your mechanics course. This course will run for at least a year, or until you sell the car. They are a learning experience thats for sure. But I love them and mine has given me less headaches than MANY newer cars ive had. Love em. Welcome to the family :P

[BLU CIVIC]

make sure you check out the FAQ
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=118785

[hondas_only]

Hondas are good for 2 things:1-Wonderful gas Mileage 2-Making American Car Companys Look Stupid

[readallen]

i drained that trans and it looks and smells like 80-90 weight oil, the manaul says to put in lighter oil like 10-40, what should i do, and the starter was just bad electric connections.


and i found that the rubber in the front trans mount is broken

[FrodoGT]

All of those things are likely. Bet your trans fluid smelled horrible eh? Go to honda and get some MTF, or use tow-30. Those two are what the service manual calls for.

[readallen]

it is hard to shift into second gear, should i keep using it or should i skip second gear all togther

[FrodoGT]

try adjusting your clutch first. it may bee too loose and not disengaging the clutch. But it could be that the 2nd gear synchros are gone. You can still use the gear though for a long time before the tranny finally dies.