Hello, I just recently bought a 98 prelude that had been sitting for a year . I've been interested in these cars for a long while , even tho I'm knew to cars I decided to buy it for 850$
Then issues starting showing up and needless to say, iv purchased a new radiator, belts, replaced hoses, the battery, vtec camshaft solenoid gaskets . And found random oil spots that show up and disappear.(oh and it has no radio)
Not only that but I found copper wire wrapped around some fuses and just started smelling clutch (even tho I know I'm not burning it ) and the other day my check engine light came on(AutoZone says it's a missfire on cylnder 3)
The car hasn't had new tags since 2015.. and the car inspection I just had showed me these list of issues.
The mechanic told me I need to drive it for another 75 miles so the ecu can "read better" but I'm worried.
Any advice and tips I can use to finally drive this car with out worry ?
Tlr
*Clutch smell with out burning it
*First photo inspection issues
*Hasn't been driven in a year till recently
*Missing radio
*Cylnder 3 missfire
*Abs light comes on and off
*No ac blowing
Sad to see that it has taken 15 days for a member to post. I will try my best to help lead you in a positive direction.
For starters, its good to see you working on the car. I would recommend trying to buy a helms manual for the car if you can find one. that is the best book to use when working on these cars. It saved my tail many times when problems showed.
2. Not having a radio should not cause any problems.
3. I would look into these wire wrapped Fuses :Oo: Not sure why they did that but i would not trust it.
4. These cars get mad after sitting for a year. The ABS sensors will all have to be checked and i would do some cleaning to the wheel hubs that trigger the sensors. Remove rust and dirt and such. id have to dig into my helms book to figure out correct ohms for the sensors.
5 Misfire on 3..... that could be a number of things. Dont go throwing money at every thing before doing a good inspection of all ignition parts. inspect and test.
Above all let us know what you find and this forum should be able to help you move forward one problem at a time.
Thank you for the reply man I really do appreciate it
I have that exact book for that car (now misplaced after extensive use )
All the issues IV been having now have came to a halt due to engine knock.
I was lucky and heard it when I was at home so I parked the car, and soon after that the alternator died started smoking when I tried turning her over, and would cut out.(but it did cut on again then hasn't done it since )
At first I thought it was the ground wire for the better since some times it has to be wiggled around when I get under the hood, but now I'm not sure.
The engine knock sound I hear actually from the starter when I put a wood dowel near it, and I hear it just as strong from the head/middle connection (I apologize I'm not car literate)
I popped of the head and checked to see if I saw anything bent and I didn't.
Wait you bought a 20 year old car without a radio and no ac? This is why we have lemon laws.
Where do you live? If close i'll give you $250 and buy ya a nice lunch for it seeing as it has primer on the drivers c pillar and problems and if the other side is in good shape.
From that vid I'd say it's too late but for next time. If you know what the term nut and bolt means then try that. What oil? Miles? Did you personally change the oil and filter before you drove it or regulary check oil since these burn more than a 90's oil field in kuwait? I've had one with a collapsed inner tube stp filter when i got it that made a lot of noise after fixing other non related problems and starting for the first time. Can't buy anything nice for $2 these days i guess. After some tender loving she lived.
Some jackass obviously has had their hands on it though with the fuse deal. Atleast you didn't pay 4 grand or something stupid for it so you have that going for ya. Call around and find a engine, build one or do a swap if you like the car. These cars seem like magnets for stupid drivers though fair warning.
Since you seem young the clutch could be you. Don't hold it in ,ride it or slip it at lights or in traffic. It's hell on throw out bearings,wears pads and heats every thing up.
The engine knocks faster when reving. But I haven't cut it on since the first knock happened.
And yes I bought it. The blower motor needed to be replaced and I put in a radio in it (free)
I stay in NC, but I wouldn't sell the car for 250 since iv purchased tools and parts for this car haha.
And yes I personally did the oil change, and filter. I drove it a hour home, and a few days later did a change and found no metal or anything glistening inside. It didn't burn oil at all as well.
And I will agree, the guy who sold it to me was a complete jack ass. But I got a new battery put in.
I found another h22a4 local for sale for about 510$ and I know someone who is willing to help me do the engine swap since he use to build cars on his down time.
But right now I'm trying to figure out if the car is able to be salvaged given the fact the moment it started it stayed parked where it was.
Check it out good and make sure it has a warranty. May also pull your intake now or do it on the engine you are dropping in while it's out of the car and clean the egr ports and tubes since it will be a lot easier. The timing belt and pump also and may aswell put in a clutch.
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