Let me save many of you the time and say: Yes I am a noob.

Now that that's done and out of the way, I have been reading a lot of different forums about replacing parts/cleaning them and such. I know my way with tools pretty well and learn very quickly, however I don't have the broadest knowledge of cars. The parts I am referring to are stuff like the EGR port, Timing Belt and associated parts, Motor mounts, etc. How can I tell if these parts on my car, and probably many more, are in need of repair?

Thanks!

 

What I do in this Situation is Easy:

1.- Do you have a Record of them Being Cleaned/Replaced by Previous Owner? = Replace/Clean

2.- Do you have High Mileage and do not know the Conditions of All Fluids and Oil? = Replace

3.- Do you see Oil Leaks or Worn Parts like Rotors and Brake Pads? = Fix/Replace

4.- Do you Think the Previous Owner did the Timing Belt job?
= Timing Belt job is probably needed since MOST People doesnt do it...


Basically thats what a New Owner should do with ANY USED CAR not just Acuras...

Special Care?
Do not Use Any other ATF Fluid than HONDA DW-1, You can Use a REDLINE ATF Mix.
But Castrol, Mobil, Chevron, or any other DEXRON III Compatible crap is a NO GO!

 

I know how to do the basics on cars, like brakes, oil and other small stuff is no problem bc i have done it before.

1. I do not have records of the previous owner going as in-depth as many ppl on here do, such as with the EGR.

2. I maintain all of my vehicles using only what I consider as well as many other ppl, to be the best fluids/parts for the vehicle. I've always been a firm believer in spend a little more now or spend a lot later.

3. I do not see any leaks. Hence why I am curious about how vital it is for me to replace certain parts.

4. I don't believe they did the timing belt. How would I be able to tell if the timing belt is in need of replacement? What about the motor mounts?

 

I bought the vehicle in july 2010 w/ 86k on it and I currently have almost 129k on it. Tranny replaced at 118k.

 

1.- Most likely you dont have the Timing Belt Job Done cuz its in the 105K Service...

2.- Our Engines are not Prone to Leak if Cared but one little bug its the Power Steering Pump that does when the bearing goes south this will eventually happen by normal Use OR It can be damaged if the Power Steering Belt is too Tighted.

3.- Motor Mounts specially OEM do not last long thats most likely needed you can do a Simple test that needs just another friend... Just park your car with E-Brake, Make your bud Engage D5 while pressing firmly the Brakes. Gas it Just A Little! if the engine moves more than 3 inches the Front Mount is Shot, The same with Reverse = Rear Mount.

While Doing this you will see movement on the Side Mount too if it Moves too Muchs its shot, but the side mount can be just eye checked too it has a simple design, if it looks broken needs to be replaced.

 

add to that: the front mount commonly found bad after 60kmiles
and most often replaced with trans, its really easy then,,15 minute job
that part is fluid filled and vac boosted--so failue makes a few problems
look underneath for signs of oil drip from mount and engine miss

How did it get a trans replacement- acura or rebuilt outside?

you definetly need to ASAP
run seafoam thru gas and manifold vac or gas method 2 times
find a shop for the timing belt- see the threads on subject-
its a serious diy not a novice level job
do replace all tensioners and idler pullies asociated with it, and the accessory belts.

By now its a good idea for new radiator hoses as well- the tbelt job gets a water pump etc
so do it all at once

valve adjustment now is smart, might be able to diy that- see that section
the egr cleaning is inside the intake manifold, and its not found in any maitenance book
something we know about here on acurazine~

flush brake now and annually. ck the pads and rotors, lube all moving parts there
flush ps fluid a few times till it is all clean.. not half old half new

have fun,,expect $1000+++ on the 105 service,,maybe more for a well done job
car needs spark plugs now too- get the correct ngk, 8 bucks a piece and worth it

ck around some honda dealers do a 105 special and honor it for us too- 400-500 bucks is a score - add the things you want done to be sure it runs another 100,,and its still a bargain

welcome to the ziner nut family
ck out Regions link at top of pages- thats local members getting together for informal car show-bbq-mass acura formation drives etc and we have many big regional and a national meet this summer
great people and always someone to help with any probs
again welcome

 

register with acura care- they do the recall notices 1 800 382 2238x5 gets a human
say new owner and ck if all recalls are taken care of

www.owners.acura.com can download a free owner manual and store radio security codes there
need cars vin for both of those

 

Thanks, Skirmich about the test for the mounts.

01tl4tl-I had the trans. rebuilt at about 87k and then I had a new one installed at 118k. Both done at a Trans. shop back home near Pittsburgh. I have run seafoam in the gas tank about 3 times so far, once through the oil and once through the intake vac line. As far as the timing belt, I have a couple buddies that were going to help me. One of which is rather good with vehicles.

I was looking to try to do the t-belt and associated parts this weekend, bc we are all off fri morning til tuesday afternoon. I was looking at getting the parts from O'Reilly's or something similar. Are those parts suitable to use?

During this, I was also planning on cleaning the EGR at this time as well in addition to flushing the coolant,and possibly the brake fluid and P/S. Pads and rotors are brand new just about. Replaced those myself a few weeks ago. Spark Plugs were done about 10k ago. NGK Iridiums. Also, I use Mobil-1 Full Synthetic oil, is that good for our cars?