Dilemma: 1994 Accord Faulty Engine

tooblue on 26/08/2016 - 15:45
Last edited 26/08/2016 - 18:06

I bought a 1994 Honda Accord for $2000 last year and put $1000 on it since. It drove perfectly until a few weeks ago there was smoke and burning smell from the engine while on road. I managed to drive it 3KM back home (wrong decision).

I don't know what was actually wrong with the engine. First 30 minute drive was OK and it suddenly stalled with both oil light and check engine light went off with temperature point at maximum.

On the way home, smoke came out from under the bonnet where the engine located. And it smelt burning. The car stalled every hundred meters and it took a few attempts to restart again. It was making big noise. I didn't see any fluid leakage as well.

I didn't start the car since and am facing the dilemma: no car yards or buyers would pay more than $200 for it despite all other parts are in good condition (I paid way more that $200 on the tyres and brakes). If I'm to sell it unregistered, it means all the $3000+ are gone.

If I want to repair I don't know what can be done to make the car running again. Tow cost is expensive. The worst is to replace the engine. A secondhand engine costs $700+ and I am yet to find a garage willing to do the labor.

Any suggestions? Shall I forgo the $3000 and buy another one or hold onto the Accord?

Automotive

Comments

  • supnigs super skids on 26/08/2016 - 16:16

    Probably head gasket. There are cheap temporary solutions for this using liquid seals with no professional labour costs.

  • Euphemistic on 26/08/2016 - 16:38

    Aaahh. The joys of buying a cheap car. It sounds as though you are at the mercy of mechanics. Get your google-fu going and see if there is any help online to determine what is likely to be wrong before you go to mechanics. Someone will surely help you part with hard earned to fix it, but certainly not any of the 'major' mechanic places like k-mart tyre and auto or ultratune - they focus on easy to do high profit jobs.

    Lessons to be learnt:
    1. Old cars can possibly go wrong at any time, you need some mechanical knowledge and skills to keep them running on the cheap.
    2. Sometimes when a $2000 car goes wrong it's better to go and find another one and not bother fixing it.

    You need to make a decision on the car. Paying more to get it fixed might give you a reliable car, owing you more than it's worth. Buying a newer car might give you the same problems again anytime in the future.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2016 - 17:29

    You say smoke and burning, what color smoke and from where? Blue, grey, black, steam, from under bonnet, exhaust pipe? Are there any fluids leaking? Did the temp gauge go up and get hot? Are there any fluids leaking since you parked it? Have you taken the oil and radiator caps off to check for coolant/oil contamination? (If it looks like a caramel thick shake could be headgasket). Does the engine crank/start? Does it blow smoke from the exhaust? Could be something as simple as a plastic bag on the exhaust to a head gasket/cracked head. Bit more information could narrow down the issue.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2016 - 20:13

    First comment here, ill make this one count

    If you didn't have a oil leak, You have an old engine which burns oil,
    I would check your oil level, if low top up and drive home if possible,
    If it goes with no unbearable noise, you are ok, internal damage done but she goes,

    Running your engine with no oil does severe damage to bearings, and to all the other components which suffer excessive heat because of this,
    If you kept running it the camshaft would snap and motor would seize.

    This motor is cooked, done and dusted,
    Dont expect any longevity or reliability
    Even if its just a cracked head or gasket due to excessive heat,
    All your bearings suffered permanent damage,
    Either flog it to the wreckers or maybe place second hand motor in it,
    second hand motor 350-500 labour 1000 plus

    Sorry to hear, It's unfortunate,
    But when the oil light comes on, the motor must be switched off.

  • subydooby on 26/08/2016 - 21:24
    +3

    If you can pick up another Honda Accord 1994 ish you for cheap with a good engine you may be able to swap some of your good bits from your old one, eg tyres, interior trim etc but you need to be at least a bit handy and mechanically minded.

  • garetz on 27/08/2016 - 06:22

    You actually wasted $1000 on a bomb car that you would be lucky if it lasted 12 months ? You buy those kind of cars so you dont have to waste money on it, and move on when it dies. Why would you want to waste any more, and throw more good money after bad.

  • woodennickel on 27/08/2016 - 06:39

    Check the radiator for oil. And check the engine oil dipstick to see if the oil looks healthy and black, or if water is mixed in (possibly grey sludge). If either shows up bad, it is likely the headgasket has blown through a channel or the head has cracked.

    Sounds like water will be in the oil to me. So radiator will be empty. Water will be drained into engine oil.

    Car is dead. No temp solution will work in this case.

    Buy another cheapy, to save the hassle. A hyundai Getz or Hyundai Excel with under 200,000 kms might see you through many years still. For $2000 to $5000, and try to find a friend of a friend that knows cars to inspect it before buying. And do avoid small caryards that may be shoddy. Many are. I buy out of the paper but you need to know cars to get a solid bargain.

    Old cars are a gamble, but buying a < $1000 cheapy has gotten me around, including around Austrailia in a 92 Barina hatch.

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