Money Pit

[rob_whiteman]

90 HB Si

Last week I decided to finally get my CV joint replaced after about 5 months of it clunking every time I go around a corner. Then I needed tires, so I decided hell, lets do it all at once and get it over with. $150 for the CV joint + axle, $400 for Falken Zeix 512 tires, + $ 70 something labour for the CV (I'd do it myself but I really don't have the time) and then tax. So then I'd be left with not much money at all. Driving home last night, and my tach starts bouncing around. I'm like ok whatever, then when I put on the brakes, it goes to 0 but the engine is still on. I was confused but I continued. Then the tach shuts off all together, and the car is running a little sluggish. Ok, I can deal, then my interior lights go really dim, so I pull over to the side of the road to let my car chill for a bit, but I don't turn it off cuz if it's the distributer or alternator it isn't gonna turn back on. So I chill with some friends for about 20 with the car on, and then it starts to misfire, I jump in to rev it up..... pop + clunk and the engine turns off. Won't start.

I thought Hondas were supposed to be oh-so-reliable. If I had bought the '83 VW Rabbit I was gonna buy, I would expect failures because I know it's a high-maintenance car that's worth the effort. Not to say I don't regularly maintain my Honda, but the rock-solid reliability reputation is now wearing a little thin.

[Magik Si]

You just described exactly what happened to me about three months ago...it's your altenator...for sure. Your battery isn't charging and you were driving around on the battery.

I know how you feel, right now I'm past my safety inspection due date by two weeks because I need a new windshield, one front spring, a lower ball joint, my heater just fritzed the other day....I just started a new job and have no cash.

Look at it this way...your car is 14 years old...it's gonna break, but in the end...it'll be a lot cheaper than a new one, when it starts not to be...that is when you move on.

Jason

PS> Have your altenator checked

[rob_whiteman]

Ya well I just went to retrieve my car. I got in and it started, so at least I didn't have to pay for a tow truck. I decided I was gonna drive it home, even though the engine was making a loud wirring noise (belts and stuff). My signals didn't work and my wipers were really really slow. Then I was halfway home and my engine was misfiring badly, then I pulled in to my local repair shop and the engine stalled as I pulled it in to a parking space. Beauty. So they can fix it tomorrow I guess.

[90civicracer]

Alternator. Happened to me in September.

[zer0depth]

This happend to me on Wednesday night, i posted and got wonderful help. It is the altenator, same thing happend when i took a left, saw the dash dim then rpms dropped to 0 car was still running.

BTW i didnt have to pay 450 to have it fixed, i got it fixed for 140.

[SiZ]

Whats the problem then? The expensive tires you bought, or the CV joints that probably broke becuase of your driving?!
I don't see how your problems qualify the car as a money pit. An alternator? How old is the one thats in there? Thats happens sometimes.

[cybercrx00]

Shit wears out, especially really old shit

[90civicracer]

Yeah like for me my car may seem like a money pit because me and my parents have had to replace a lot of stuff over the past 2 years. But the thing is, this is the first time replacing everything cuz we didnt have to replace anything except for the oil, tires, and the timing belt before like 115k miles.

[4G4D Store]

That's ok - I've replaced just about everything on my car - 4 alternators, 3 distributors, starter, engine, tranny, axles, battery, front mount, timing belt, brake pads, rotors. But I've still spent less than a new car, and I know the car very well - I feel more comfortable driving it than any other car cause I know it like the back of my hand. Just thought I'd make ya feel better since I've replaced like everything. I'm getting ready to replace the axles again too.

[90civicracer]

Why so much stuff 4g4dstore?

[4G4D Store]

Well, the alternaters are from my stereo, the distro, I'm not sure. The tranny I burned up the bearings. The engine was old - 160,000 and I ran it pretty hard. Starter went out right after I got it, been fine since. The axles are probably me too - he he. But it's all good - I wouldn't give up my baby for another car.