1990 Honda Accord LX from North America - Comments

I bought this 1990 Honda Accord LX from a guy here in Houston because my Honda motorcycle was experiencing some electrical and cooling problems. I bought the car for $1200. I dumped some cash in this car, ie new tires, muffler, windshield, window tint, brakes. I do all the work myself that I can, but I had already put $1700 in this car. The engine throws a rod two months later. It blew a big hole in the block. I just bought a new engine almost two weeks ago. Another $600 for the used engine. I am almost to the stage where I can start it back up. However, Honda in it's infinite stupidity, has made it more than difficult for the experienced fix it youself guy. I read the repair manual for this car (worthless). I have experienced the trunk leaking, caulk fixes it, go nuts with it. I promise it will hold the water out. I have the check engine light problem. I suggest get a new throttle body, since Honda has integrated the throttle position switch permanently on the throttle body. Also, get a new egr valve from a salvage yard. This will help. I nought the egr valve for $10 at pick a part & $45 for the throttle body on Ebay. I don't advise buying anything new for these cars since the parts are an absolute fortune. In my case, I had no choice on some things. I already invested so much cash and time, I am fixing it. I am lucky that I found the engine used for $600 without a core charge. This is the second Accord I have owned. They are good when they run, but when they break, it is like owning a Mercedes. I also have a problem with the brake lights being on when the car is off, but I might have burned out the brake pedal switch or diconnected it by accident. Last year I owned three Honda vehicles. I have wrecked two of the motorcycles and am down to one car. If you think that Honda cars are expensive, try the motorcycles. Wow, I got a real education. Parts for the motorcycles are four times the normal car part prices, even at the salvage yards. I think after I get this car fixed, it goes up for sale. Time for another motorcycle, gas is cheaper & they are easier to work on. Besides, they are also fun. Good Luck ya'll, from: ca_faulk@yahoo.com.

Problems when neglected.

What were the Symptoms when the TPS went out?

Look how many miles were on the car when you bought it... nearly 200,000. That's 2 lifetimes for some cars. And who knows how the previous owner treated it. Just the fact that the car lasted to that mileage attests to the reliability of accords.

For the do it yourselfer, the haynes repair manual should be all you need. I had only done oil changes on my accord until last spring when I ripped out and rebuilt the engine myself in my dads garage. My dad doesn't know much so I was on my own. The haynes guide was all I needed (and some new tools). However being 20 and rebuilding my first engine I found it fairly straightforward as long as you strictly stick to the specifications listed. I'm no mechanic, although now I do know my way around early honda's. I'd say haynes repair manuals are the best investment I've ever made.