CountryGirl Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 I am looking for some guidance on how to keep my Del Sol up and running for at least another 2 years (until I can afford to get another car). I have a 97 Si with 261k miles on it. I've had the car myself for 4 years and I have no idea how it was treated before then. The car has been wonderful, with no major problems, but it's getting to an age where I am worrying about parts failing, and I am hoping that with your knowledge you can give me an idea on what is going to go first! Here's some mechanical details: - Car is consuming a fair bit of oil (this was only noticed today, so I will be keeping an eye on it). - Slight knocking in the engine when started cold that goes away within 10 seconds or so. - Slight oil leak in the pan. - All belts were changed a year ago. - Oil change every 3kish miles since I've had it. - All usual tune-up items have been done (spark plugs etc) - New rotors/brakes. - Transmission fluid is filthy, but I've been advised not to change it. Car does sometimes shake a little getting into 4th, but otherwise I'm not having any transmission problems. - Battery light likes to randomly (nothing obviously setting it off) come on when I start the engine cold. Replaced the battery and cables, neither was the problem. Looking to the alternator next. - No bad engine noise aside from knocking mentioned above, runs pretty smoothly, and starts with no problems. I live out in the country, and have a 70 mile round trip to work and back each day (hence the high mileage), so this car gets plenty of dust and travelling down gravel roads. Suspension is a bit rough, but I've had that checked out and there were no problems. I'm starting to get a little rust here and there, and I can't open the driver's side door from the outside (a recently added feature!), but otherwise I have more than got my money's worth out of this little car and I love it. I look forward to the day when I can overhaul it and make it purr, but in the mean time it needs to last me a bit longer. Is there anything in particular I should be watching out for? Are there any parts that start heading south at this age? I appreciate any help and advice you can give! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpearce1974 Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 I am looking for some guidance on how to keep my Del Sol up and running for at least another 2 years (until I can afford to get another car). I have a 97 Si with 261k miles on it. I've had the car myself for 4 years and I have no idea how it was treated before then. The car has been wonderful, with no major problems, but it's getting to an age where I am worrying about parts failing, and I am hoping that with your knowledge you can give me an idea on what is going to go first! Here's some mechanical details: - Car is consuming a fair bit of oil (this was only noticed today, so I will be keeping an eye on it). - Slight knocking in the engine when started cold that goes away within 10 seconds or so. - Slight oil leak in the pan. - All belts were changed a year ago. - Oil change every 3kish miles since I've had it. - All usual tune-up items have been done (spark plugs etc) - New rotors/brakes. - Transmission fluid is filthy, but I've been advised not to change it. Car does sometimes shake a little getting into 4th, but otherwise I'm not having any transmission problems. - Battery light likes to randomly (nothing obviously setting it off) come on when I start the engine cold. Replaced the battery and cables, neither was the problem. Looking to the alternator next. - No bad engine noise aside from knocking mentioned above, runs pretty smoothly, and starts with no problems. I live out in the country, and have a 70 mile round trip to work and back each day (hence the high mileage), so this car gets plenty of dust and travelling down gravel roads. Suspension is a bit rough, but I've had that checked out and there were no problems. I'm starting to get a little rust here and there, and I can't open the driver's side door from the outside (a recently added feature!), but otherwise I have more than got my money's worth out of this little car and I love it. I look forward to the day when I can overhaul it and make it purr, but in the mean time it needs to last me a bit longer. Is there anything in particular I should be watching out for? Are there any parts that start heading south at this age? I appreciate any help and advice you can give! - Car is consuming a fair bit of oil (this was only noticed today, so I will be keeping an eye on it). Try using Engine Restorer! Will reduce oil consumption considerably! - Slight knocking in the engine when started cold that goes away within 10 seconds or so. Sounds like rod bearing, Engine Restorer might quiet it a little bit, but no real good fix for that, besides rebuilding bottom end! >_< - Slight oil leak in the pan. Easy and cheap fix, would get on it right away to see how much oil consumption goes down. - All belts were changed a year ago. - Oil change every 3kish miles since I've had it. - All usual tune-up items have been done (spark plugs etc) - New rotors/brakes. - Transmission fluid is filthy, but I've been advised not to change it. Car does sometimes shake a little getting into 4th, but otherwise I'm not having any transmission problems. BS! Change that fluid!!!!!!!! You would be amazed at how much things change with good new fluid! - Battery light likes to randomly (nothing obviously setting it off) come on when I start the engine cold. Replaced the battery and cables, neither was the problem. Looking to the alternator next. Sounds good let us know what you find out, could also be bad ground besides the one to battery! - No bad engine noise aside from knocking mentioned above, runs pretty smoothly, and starts with no problem Like stated above, no real simple fix, besides bottom end rebuild. I have driven cars for LONG periods of time like that and never had one throw a rod! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xeryon Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 As far as the transmission you should do a drain and fill. Do not perform an actual flush. A flush will cause buildup to break loose and get stuck in places it shouldn't. Just drain out the old and refill with the appropriate Automatic or Manual fluid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DelSolSweetie Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 i agree with get some engine restore.. comes in a silver can with a pop top on it.. and make sure to keep the oil full.. thats about all you can do about the knock besides hope it lasts i would drain and fill the tranny if its that bad.. leaving it in will just make it worse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MChester Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Yup, what they said... I can only 2nd or 3rd the transmission fluid change. I've seen trannys acting very badly suddenly perk right up with new fluid. Good folks on here me thinks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DelSolSweetie Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Good folks on here me thinks... you must have not seen many different people on here yet lol jk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchness Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Do you know how the engine is consuming oil? Are your valve seals bad? Are your rings bad? Is it the oil pan gasket? If only your valve seals are bad then Engine Restore might not do anything. If by "fair amount" you mean over a quart every oil change it's probably your rings and therefore ER may help. I'm always cautious of oil additives, especially quick-fix additives, so I'm inclined to recommend against. If it's only the oil leak that's the cheapest/easiest fix there is. Definitely change your tranny fluid. Whoever recommended against it is a fool. Use ONLY Honda Genuine Manual Transmission fluid (or automatic fluid if applicable). Everything else sounds accounted for. The rod bearing you'll have to live with until you can afford to have it fixed... or just engine swap since the cost will be relatively the same and actually easier. Other than that for 261K you're more than right side up with this car. Congratulations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpearce1974 Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 I have been using Engine Restore in all my cars, and trucks for over 10 years. Every since a mechanic friend turned me onto it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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