New 94 Civic Owner Needs Help

[94civ]

Hi,

I just picked up a 94 Civic LX and need some advice:

1) The temperature gauge barely moves above bottom cold. How can I see what is going on? The radiator is hot, the radiator hoses and hose going to the heater core are hot however the car does not provide much warmth out of the heater.

2) It looks like the CV joints are torn and its time to replace the half shafts. Any problem going with the Autozone reman units? After getting the shafts look do the come out of the trans easily? ANy warnings?

3) Is there a good way to flush the auto trans or should I drain what is in the pan, refill and repeat?

4) Looks like the dist cap hold down bolt is stuck in the distributor housing. Is there a good way to get this out of there?

THANKS

[NstyGrnHatch]

1. Looks like your therostat is stuck OPEN. Replace that, if your still not getting any heat. You might have some crap built up in front of the heater core or a bad heater core. Check the coolant system.

2. AUtozone remans are good cause they have lifetime warrenty (I believe) if they break, return it.

3. You can drain and repeat a whole lot to flush the trans, but there is a special flush machine companies use to specially flush automatic transmissions, I mean you cant get it all out and flush it manually because the torque converter holds fluid, etc, etc. My advice on this one, take it to a shop and have them flush it. It will cost you a pretty penny too cause honda uses special auto tranny fluid.

4. If you can get a wiz wheel or cutting wheel in there and cut a straight line and get a nice flatblad screw driver and see if you can get it out that way. Or you might just have to break it off, cut it off, drill and re-tap.

[94civ]

Thanks for the help. Any warnings about half-shaft replacement in terms of trans seals, etc?

The Civic had its radiator replaced about a year ago and the fluid looks pretty much new. If the heater core is bad - is this a painful replacement?

[NstyGrnHatch]

1. Half shaft replacement is easy, as well as the transmission seals. Both easy jobs

2. Im not sure about heater core replacement, and whats involved. If im not mistaken i think there is a slot for it under the dash in the pass side to take it out.

[94civ]

As for the trans seals should I replace if they are not leaking - the car has 105K miles? Are these easy in and out or will I need a tool?

Lastly I came upon a good deal on a Honda water pump. I've never tackled a timing belt but this is this an easy replacement that a garage floor mechanic can do?

Thanks again!

[Doughboy]

Originally posted by 94civ@Dec 6 2004, 09:11 PM
As for the trans seals should I replace if they are not leaking - the car has 105K miles?* Are these easy in and out or will I need a tool?

Lastly I came upon a good deal on a Honda water pump.* I've never tackled a timing belt but this is this an easy replacement that a garage floor mechanic can do?

Thanks again!

well thats correct the timing belt and water pump should be changed together. However its not a "easy" replacement. Ive been quoted at around $350-400 to do the timing belt and the pump. I had no parts with me either..

[imported_Lacuna]

Changing a timing belt is easy with the proper tools, but it's very labor intensive. Most shops should be able to handle it no problem.