I have been around here for a while repairing my TL and CL but now I
have an issue with an old Acura. I have a 1991 Legend L sedan that
has been sitting at my in-laws in Bosnia for 7 years untouched, save the
weekly engine starts. The brake master cylinder was leaking a bit when
I parked it and by now, I am certain the booster is full of brake fluid.

Is there an online guide/manual/how-to for replacing the master cylider
and booster? I bought the Mitchell book but prefer something online.

Also, what tools (socket sizes, one-man bleed kit etc etc) can anyone
think of that I should take with me, as you can imagine, there won't
be a Sears or Pep Boys to fall back on for a tool or last minute part.

How would you feel about a reman booster vs a salvage yard one?

Also, what should I be aware of with a car that has sat for that long?
Are the tires shot? are the fluids any good?

It was not my intention to leave it for so long but medical issues kept
me from getting around to this sooner...

Thanks in advance to those that can help.

 

IMVHO: all fluids / oil changed, tires, brakes replaced and a reman booster (prob a better deal... my Dad always said slowing down was more important than going fast)... ... rotors turned, or buy some and take them with you... prob need a rear brake tool... all the usual metric tools... thats all I can think of off the top of my head... also make sure that there is no insect or animal infestation (s) ... someone posted on that just the other day... hope this helps...
Rick / Sith

 

I was thinking along the same lines.
I have new rotors, pads and a Acura genuine master cylinder there already.
I just need the booster, some of my tools from here and Acura auto trans/pwr
steering fluid. Tires I can get there---expensive but oh well.

I have replaced a master cylinder before but never a booster, is much more
involved?

I was jugling the issue of the reman vs salvage on the belief that OEM, even used
is probably built better than new reman.

 

I say go with remanufactured. It will have new seals, and that is what you can't get easily.

For tires, It might be cheaper to go through The Tire Rackhttp://www.tirerack.com Even with shipping to Bosnia.

 

Online manual should be right here. You have to buy a subscription, but they're cheap.

https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/logon.asp

The website only works with Internet Explorer.

Best,
-Mirror

 

Mirror---thanks, checking that site now...the 3-day or 30-day option isn't bad.

What is your take on the booster, reman vs salvage....

I have never had good luck with a reman beyond 45 days....

 

this is what i use to bleed my brakes.

http://www.motiveproducts.com/

 

I'd still go with a reman unit, a salvage bit is just too risky for my tastes. Strange that you've had bad luck with them.

I agree with the above to change all the fluids as well.

-Mirror

 

wow kako si nabavio Legend u Bosni? Nisam znao da tamo kod nas ima tih auta

 

reman booster would be my vote...

yes change out all the fluids and check the air filter to make sure nothing has built a home in the box... fuel filter, tranny screen/filter (if applicable) also i would bring some fuel cleaner for the injectors... even if you drain all the fuel and put in new fuel, i couldn't imagine what the injector may have caked on them from what was left in the lines...

not sure how the spark plugs or belts would hold up over that time period? i would guess just sitting, the rubber belts would be expanding and contracting with the temp...

 

Prebacio sam auto brodom iz Los Angelos luke. Vjerujem da je Njemacka najbliza evropska zemlja koja prodaje Hondine automobile. Acura automobile mozes pronaci pod Honda imenom u Evropi.

 

My family-in-laws have been staring the car every week...in 7 years, they
have had to add gas so what ever it had left over when I parked it is long since burned off. This time i will bring that gas saver Pep Boys sells for when
I park it again although from now on, it shouldn't be more than a year between visits and driving the car.

I am going to get a reman and hope for the best....

The garage is all brick and cement, no window, no opening anywhere and
the front door it metal...I doubt any critters made their way in but it is
something I am going to check for.

My concern is the timing belt---I can't recall when it was done prior to bringing the car there but I know of a small Honda specialist in Croatia
that has the same car as a Honda, he can probably do the t-belt for me.

I'll post here some pictures and an update when I get to the car in October.

 

ja mislim da prodaju hondu i u hrvatskoj i u srbiji ali nisam siguran. Kad sam bio tamo pre 2 godine mnogo ljudi je vozilo civic i accord. when you go there for sure you will be the only legend in the country or even a couple country s all around Bosna. Now talk about being unique haha good luck

 

My wife was there 2 years ago as well and saw a few cars with US plates
from NY, CA and PA. Once Bosna and the surrounding area is inducted into
the EU, Honda will probably open some dealers. They have Nissan already which will be good for when we ship our 350Z in the next year or so.

I think I may have an issue with the reman, they seem to want the core
before I get the reman unless I pay a $65 core charge. I may not get that core back since we will be there for 5 weeks and most places give 30 days
for the core. damn.

 

This is why I stay on A-zine..... A truly international audience....

And agree with all fluids, belts, brakes (rotors, pads, and the MC/booster issue). Also, look at your motor mounts, and anything that is rubber or foam (door seals, etc...), as they may have rotted a bit.

 

yea I was there 2 years ago and I saw some US plate and Canadian cars. I am not sure how the insurance works there, where the insurance has to be from (US or Bosnia) but that's one of the things you may have to dish some money on. Also you can't register those cars there unless they have Euro 3 emmision engines and no US cars would pass emmision testing there I believe so they have to have US plates.

 

then just pay the $65 for the core and just don't return it to get the $65 back...

i thought US emmissions was most strict?

 

Yea, I will prpbably eat the $65

California emmissions is on par with the rest of the world but all other
states vary, only NJ is close to CA, this is why they are often called
sister states when it comes to legal matters. Incidently, when CA passed
prop 187 (no bennies for illegals) there were riots in mexico and guess where else.

NJ.

Because hispanics in NJ feared NJ would pass a similiar law, as NJ often does.

I digress.

I buy insurance in Bosnia, usually at any border crossing. It is a quick
easy process. I can't register the car for one reason only, her age.

No car can be brought in and registered if older than 7 tears. It isn't
a smog/sniff test issue but I never intended to register the car there.

I like my US plates just like I like my US passport!

 

I was speaking of Serbia when I said euro 3 motors. But it is true, you can't bring in a car older then 7 years and register it there. But i know that in serbia even if the car is younger then 7 years, they have to pass the emmision tests and north american cars just cant.
My brother used to import cars from Germany and Holland and selling them in Serbia so he knows. Everyone drives diesels there anyways since 1L/1Euro or more

 

I was wondering, if the fluid leaked into the booster from the master cylinder, wouldn't it would be sucked in the engine when my family starts the ebngine every week?