Hoeboy's car is sick. Need help!!!

[Hoeboy]

I drive a '93 Accord SE and it's starting to give me problems. When the car is in reverse, it shakes pretty bad. When I step on the gas, there is this whistling noise coming from the engine that I never heard before. The car has about 95,000 miles on it. It's an automatic and I notice it lags a bit before it shifts gear.

Also it's leaking oil. How much would it cost to get that fixed and how long will I have to leave my car in the shop?

 

[fastz28]

Need more info Hoeboy. Check transmission fluid first.

 

[Hoeboy]

what kind of info do you need? i am pretty busy this week and probably won't be able to check the transmission oil until this weekend. does anyone know how much would it cost to patch up that oil leak?

 

[ISAslot]

A hiss/whistle and shaking sounds like it could be a vacuum leak, does it only shake/hiss in reverse?

Are you sure it's leaking oil, not trans. fluid?

 

[fastz28]

<< what kind of info do you need? >>



More symptoms. The 3 you have are pretty independent of each other.

Check trans fluid - it'll take a minute, literally.

 

[goofygrin]

Have you had the timing belt changed yet? If it goes then you will be out a lot more money (valves and stuff). (whistling, hesitation).

But check the fluids... lotsa money to replace an auto tranny...

Is the parking brake sticking (would cause the shakes going in reverse)

 

[Hoeboy]

<<A hiss/whistle and shaking sounds like it could be a vacuum leak, does it only shake/hiss in reverse?

Are you sure it's leaking oil, not trans. fluid? >>

yes it shakes only in reverse. i heard that it's a problem with hondas and something to do with the rpm but i'm not quite sure. it may be leaking trans. fluid, engine oil, or power steering fluid. i'm not 100% sure. i just looked under the car today and the liquid thats leaking looks water dripping. it doesn't seem as thick as engine oil but my bro said it's engine oil so i dont know.


<<More symptoms. The 3 you have are pretty independent of each other.

Check trans fluid - it'll take a minute, literally.>>

i can't really think of any other symptoms. my bro taught me how to check the transmission fluid before but it's been awhile. do i just turn the engine on, reach in and pull out the transmission fluid meter stick?


so how much does it cost to mend the leak?

 

[Hoeboy]

<<Have you had the timing belt changed yet? If it goes then you will be out a lot more money (valves and stuff). (whistling, hesitation).

But check the fluids... lotsa money to replace an auto tranny...

Is the parking brake sticking (would cause the shakes going in reverse)>>

no i haven't had the belt changed recently. so you are saying if i don't replace the belt and let it keep going, it'll eventually ruin the transmission?

i'm pretty sure the car shaking in reverse doesn't have anything to do with the brake. i remember when i just got the car used, it didn't shake in reverse. i was ignorant and when i reverse, i immediately shift into drive and put on the gas without waiting for the car to stop completely from reverse. i think the car shaking might have something to do with that.

 

[SupaDupaCheez]

Hoeboy....I owned an 88 civic and you DEFINITELY need to change the timing belt/water pump!!! I that timing belt goes...you can say bye bye engine and buy buy a new car!!! The timing belt has NOTHING to do with your transmision but

<< when i reverse, i immediately shift into drive and put on the gas with >>

is NOT SMART!!! You do that enough and your tranny will be a pile of rubble on the ground. You need to check your fluid while the car is up to normal temp (ride it around the block once or twice) and in Park. If you check it while it is 'cold' or not running...it will read as FULL. DO NOT OVERFILL as that will be more harmful than good.

Sounds to me like you have a few different problems (and none seem to be cheap). You may want to go to a Honda dealer to get a free estimate as to what's wrong (believe me...they will tell you EVERYTHING that is wrong). That will give you an idea of what you are facing. You may find that it would be cheaper to buy a used Honda (92+) than fixing what you have.

Good luck (and I hope it's only 'fluids')

SDC

 

[goofygrin]

The timing belt should be changed every 65000-75000 miles (pushing it). It is in the engine. It is what keeps the top of the engine (valves etc) in time with the bottom (pistons). If it breaks, the valves can/will hit the pistons and bend. You then have to rebuild at least the topend of the motor.

If you have AC, the fluid could be condensation from the AC running (here in Texas, you see streams coming off peoples cars when they are parked). It is water though.

If you have the owners manual it will tell you how to check the tranny fluid, but here is a quick synopsis: (on a flat surface)Turn car on, let run 10 minutes, cycle it through the gears (don't drive, just change the tranny to the gears), turn the car off, then check the transmission dip stick (meter). The engine needs to be warm to check it. (this is a typical procedure, but could be different in your case).

 

[Hoeboy]

supadupacheez, you're scaring me man. lol. i was going to take it to AAMCO or something and get a free transmission checkup but i'm just scared them places will lie to me. after watching those dateline specials about how automechanics rip people off like crazy, i'm hesitant to trust anyone but someone i know.

 

[Hoeboy]

<<If you have AC, the fluid could be condensation from the AC running (here in Texas, you see streams coming off peoples cars when they are parked). It is water though.>>

i'm pretty sure it's not water. the driveway is pretty drenched with some form of oill. my dad gets so mad

 

[SupaDupaCheez]

hoeboy.....most places will give free estimates...check out a couple of different places. Honda will probably be the most expensive. That will be your high range. Check out a neighborhood repair shop with a decent rep .... that's your low range (probably). After you do that....take the Honda estimate to the neighborhood shop and ask them what you ABSOLUTELY need to do (if money is an issue) to get you by. If it's a reputable shop they will usually do that for you.

SDC

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Dang, you're almost as bad as my friend ("You have to CHANGE the OIL???").

Goodness man. I don't know what to say...some people just can't handle cars.

Figure out what the hell it's leaking. It sounds like it's dripping at a rate you can watch it, which is BAD! Oil is amberish/brownish, tranny fluid is usually redish. If you're running the AC, then you may have water dripping (condensation).

Where is it idling when you put it in reverse?

A new transmission will probably cost around $3k w/labor

 

[SupaDupaCheez]

oh yeah.....you know your tranny is screwed (or you need a LOT of fluid!) if it 'BANGS' when you put into gear. That is BAD! Tranny fluid usually has a reddish tint to it. Oil is brownish to black. Brake fluid is usually greenish to clear.

Just from past and present experience.....if it's an oil leak, replace your oil pan drain plug (it's actually a large 'bolt/screw'). After several oilchanges, the plastic washer tends to flatten out. It's a VERY cheap and easy fix (less than ten bucks) that you can do at the same time you change your oil.

SDC

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Also...does it shift if you take a tight turn (while not accelerating faster or slower)?

Does it take a long time to shift? Like...


whhhaaaaaaaaaaa...uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...clunk

instead of

whaaaaaaaaaaaa...uhh...clunk?

(I'm serious)

 

[Hoeboy]

<<Dang, you're almost as bad as my friend ("You have to CHANGE the OIL???").

Goodness man. I don't know what to say...some people just can't handle cars.

Figure out what the hell it's leaking. It sounds like it's dripping at a rate you can watch it, which is BAD! Oil is amberish/brownish, tranny fluid is usually redish. If you're running the AC, then you may have water dripping (condensation).

Where is it idling when you put it in reverse?

A new transmission will probably cost around $3k w/labor >>


hey man i guess i'm just spoiled cuz my big bro usually does all the maintenance work on the car i'll check what it's leaking tomorrow before i head to work. maybe i'll put a bandaid on it to stop it from leaking for awhile. the one with "ouch-proof" and cute cartoon pictures on it.



<<oh yeah.....you know your tranny is screwed (or you need a LOT of fluid!) if it 'BANGS' when you put into gear. That is BAD! Tranny fluid usually has a reddish tint to it. Oil is brownish to black. Brake fluid is usually greenish to clear.

Just from past and present experience.....if it's an oil leak, replace your oil pan drain plug (it's actually a large 'bolt/screw'). After several oilchanges, the plastic washer tends to flatten out. It's a VERY cheap and easy fix (less than ten bucks) that you can do at the same time you change your oil.>>

see SDC, now you're giving me a heartattack. the car does jolt (or bang) once when i put it in into gear.



<<Also...does it shift if you take a tight turn (while not accelerating faster or slower)?

Does it take a long time to shift? Like...


whhhaaaaaaaaaaa...uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...clunk

instead of

whaaaaaaaaaaaa...uhh...clunk?>>


before i couldn't really notice when it shifts gear. but eventually it's gotten to a point where i can tell. and lately it seems to be taking longer to shift into gear. it's like i'm driving along and hitting 40 and the car is just going wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee to the point where i'm like "shift gear you b!tch!" yes it's that bad.

 

[SupaDupaCheez]

Hoeboy......I'm going to assume that what you are leaking is most likely tranny fluid. Try this....add a half a quart of tranny fluid (make sure it's the correct kind....it will say in your owners manual) and drive it around the block. Some see if there is an improvement in shifting (there should be SOME improvement). Check the fluid (as we stated above). You will most likely have to add the other half quart. HOPEFULLY things aren't too far gone. If the banging goes away and shifting improves then thing 'should' be ok for now. You definitely need to get that leak fixed. If you let it go any longer it will seriously destroy your tranny. This happened to me when I was 16 and cost me 1200.00 for a rebuild....ouch!

SDC

 

[Phunktion]

I wish all cars would use Timing Chains but I guess it's not economical or something... I had a friend that had his timing belt break but through some kind of insane luck his engine wasn't ruined.. car still died 4 months later though LOL..

 

[Hoeboy]

thanks for all the help and suggestion SDC. imma check up on it tomorrow and try to bring it in a shop this weekend. hopefulllly i can save this car.