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Psilosopherr
A psilly goose



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Shroomery Car Talk 1
#24575240 - 08/23/17 09:34 PM (6 years, 5 months ago) |
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Edit: For those of you who are new to this post this thread has become more of an ongoing discussion of car maintenance/projects. Feel free to post what you're working on, any questions you have, etc. We'd love to hear from you
Original OP: Would appreciate any help folks, I've posted about cars here before and found really helpful people, lets talk cars! My main car is an 80's honda accord. Mostly looking to extend the life of the car and ensure its reliability. Its at 140,000 miles. No major history or problems other than those listed below.
Questions: The starting system has never functioned optimally. It chugs and chugs without success on the first attempt, sometimes the second, and then it will start right up the next attempt. That give anyone out there a clue as to where I should look first? Did damn near every tune up procedure in my manual except adjusting valve clearances. Is this worthwhile/what would it potentially affect? Anything I should do before starting the old mazda thats been sitting unstarted for a few years?
The truck is an 80's mazda pickup, badass paintjob/long bed/small stature, would love to get it running again. Battery charges but only produces very weak headlight illumination. See updates for my progress on the timing belt replacement
Gonna need to replace the seat bench for sure...I let the elements get to it like a young fool.
Edited by Psilosopherr (05/24/20 01:16 PM)
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koraks
Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 26,670
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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: Psilosopherr] 1
#24575608 - 08/24/17 01:52 AM (6 years, 5 months ago) |
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Not an expert either, but I'll share some thoughts.
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Psilosopherr said: Questions:
- The starting system has never functioned optimally. It chugs and chugs without success on the first attempt, sometimes the second, and then it will start right up the next attempt. That give anyone out there a clue as to where I should look first?
Could be a lot of things; keep in mind that for a petrol engine, you need a couple of things: fuel, air, compression, and a spark. If the engine runs smoothly when it's started, then these shouldn't be too much of a problem. Maybe changing the fuel filter will help some, but other maintenance parts such as spark plugs and cables could also have to do with it. However, if it starts consistently at the first or second try and it's been like this forever, and assuming it runs well, I wouldn't bother with troubleshooting it.
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My muffler rusted out and fell off a while back, gonna take a look at that, dont want exhaust in the cab.
Your car must sound like a good-sized motorboat 
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Left the gas cap at a gas station a while back, is it worth getting a new one? The book mentioned it could 'cause problems,' very vague. I noticed some rust in the gas filling port at first glance today.
Yeah, I'd look for a replacement. Gas can spill out from the filler port and in a worst case scenario it could ignite if there's a source of heat nearby. The same goes for fuel vapors. It's really a far-fetched scenario, but really, the cap's supposed to be there. Around here, periodic checks (such as MOT in the UK) require the cap to be there.
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I get rough shifts sometimes, and the transmission fluid is due for a change anyway according to the book, so I plan to change that. Is that the relevant measure to take? It only shifts rough when going from say reverse to park or drive to park, not when switching gears as it accelerates.
Changing the ATF will be a good idea. If this solves it, great. If it doesn't, you can always consider further troubleshooting. Since it seems to be related to Park in all cases, it could have to do with the little rod/plug that blocks the transmission, which is basically what the Park setting is. I understand this mechanism tends to wear out over time. In that case, the transmission needs an overhaul and that's probably not really worth it. If it isn't too annoying, I'd just live with it for now.
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I dont think the fuel filters have ever been changed, if they have its not in the maintenance log. Seems important, have never done that one but it looks easy enough in the book.
It's good practice to change fuel, air and oil filters periodically. The fuel filter could by now have some debris in it and most likely there will be some water in the filter housing (it also functions as a water separator).
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Says I should replace the radiator coolant but I've been happy with my heat. Though I haven't been happy with the cool air production when its hot out, there's no AC so that may just be the way of things? Is there any reason to change my coolant other than to improve heat/cool production, and, could I expect to get cooler air even on hot days if I did change it?
The coolant has nothing to do with the cool air flow for your interior. The coolant is the heat exchange material that takes the heat from the engine and transports it to the radiator. Usually it's not required to change it, but after a couple of decades, it won't hurt to change it. Make sure to bleed the system so there are no air bubbles in the coolant loop. A bubble lodged in e.g. the cylinder head can cause serious engine damage. As to the cool/hot air for the interior: there is a mixing box that is controlled through the controls on the dashboard. Quite often, the central valve (which is lodged quite deep behind the dashboard) can get stuck or won't travel smoothly in older cars. Maybe it doesn't travel all the way to its extreme positions, resulting in some hot air (which comes from a small heating radiator through which the engine coolant flows) always being mixed in. Again, this has nothing to do with the engine coolant.
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Do you think removing the front towing loop would prevent your car being towed?
This doesn't make sense at all. Preventing towing is as simple as making sure your car works and parking it where it's supposed to be parked. If it needs to be towed for whatever reason, it can (and will) be done even if it doesn't have a loop.
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Anything I need to know to tell the guys at the auto parts stores to get the right air filter, fuel filter, etc? I know what kind of ATF to get at least
Exact car model and engine type usually suffice. Don't forget to change the oil and oil filter; given your description of the maintenance history, this may be overdue.
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Psilosopherr
A psilly goose



Registered: 02/15/12
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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: koraks] 1
#24575682 - 08/24/17 02:56 AM (6 years, 5 months ago) |
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Thanks for the reply!
I just want the starting system to be flawless to prevent untimely issues. The noises it makes are starting to get jankier on rare occasion too, just did it for the second time at least.
Yeah when it comes to transmission stuff the things I hear indicate that they're hard/expensive to work on so I figured preventative stuff was good to keep up on.
I do at least keep up on the oil changes/oil filter changes, brake pads, fluids.
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koraks
Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 26,670
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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: Psilosopherr] 1
#24575728 - 08/24/17 04:13 AM (6 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Psilosopherr said: The noises it makes are starting to get jankier on rare occasion too, just did it for the second time at least.
What do you mean by this? What kind of sound does it make? If it's a sharp/scraping sound, it may be the bendix, in which case the starter motor needs to be replaced. But it really depends on the kind of sound you're hearing.
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LogicaL Chaos
Ascension Energy & Alien UFOs




Registered: 05/12/07
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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: Psilosopherr] 1
#24576766 - 08/24/17 01:58 PM (6 years, 5 months ago) |
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Fixing the starter system will take advanced skill.
The best thing to do would be to rebuild the engine itself, clean it inside and out. Especially the inside. Could be dirty fuel injectors (or is it a carb engine?), spark plug thats worn out, dirty piston/cylinders, maybe even a weak fuel pump.
I have an 80's 2-stroke boat and its hard to start. I bet its the carbs and dirty cylinders/pistons.
Not sure on the towing thing. Ive had my car towed and they hook it from the front on the tow points. Some tow trucks hook to the tires. Im sure if they want a car towed, they will use every trick to tow it. To make it a car "untowable" wounds impractical in my opinion. Tow trucks would find a way.
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Psilosopherr
A psilly goose



Registered: 02/15/12
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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: LogicaL Chaos] 1
#24577212 - 08/24/17 04:36 PM (6 years, 5 months ago) |
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Its a carb. Still haven't read too much into troubleshooting the starter but looking at the general troubleshooting section in my manual it looks like bad spark plugs may be a common cause of some problems. Still haven't found where those are under the hood yet but..
Oh right still need to look at the exhaust. Wonder if I can just attach some pipe to carry it farther away from the car than it currently goes
Well I just ordered my various filters, now on to this truck...opened it up and everything under the hood was covered in rat shit Guess I'll charge up the battery and see what happens then
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koraks
Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 26,670
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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: LogicaL Chaos] 1
#24578144 - 08/25/17 01:52 AM (6 years, 5 months ago) |
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The spark plugs are generally towards the front and on the upper side of the engine; they're easy to identify as they have leads running to them that originate from a central point (the distributor cap). The plugs sit inside the cylinder head, so you can't really see them unless you remove them; you only see the upper bit where the ignition leads connect to them.
Quote:
LogicaL Chaos said: The best thing to do would be to rebuild the engine itself, clean it inside and out.
Rebuilding the entire engine sounds a bit excessive just to troubleshoot a starting issue.
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confuzzed
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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: koraks] 1
#24601647 - 09/03/17 09:12 PM (6 years, 4 months ago) |
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Carbs get dirty as hell... have no doubt at that age of vehicle you def need clean ur carb!
But I agree, opening up the engine for a non car guy is the last step I would take in troubleshooting. I dunno how much you drive, but he is probably correct in saying you prob need to clean everything well, more so in older cars such as yours, but I would make that last on my list. Spark plugs is a good idea, research what brand your gonna buy though, I bought BS plugs a few years back "they're all the same I said",,, wasn't the case.. follow the manual!!
That's low miles for an 80  It's always good to flush and change fluids, I only do my coolant if it isn't staying the color it started as or smells awful... transmission fluid is more likely in need, need the gears and pump using clean/fresh fluid.... smell and color again my main tell tells for almost all fluids... I'm excessive, so I flush, run clean fluid for a good bit of miles, then flush again and re-fill..
Imma stop there as I only have GM vehicles... No experience with Honda..
Good luck
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Psilosopherr
A psilly goose



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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: confuzzed] 1
#24601693 - 09/03/17 09:45 PM (6 years, 4 months ago) |
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ended up seeing my tranny fluid when changing the alternator (had to remove axle to get to it, yeesh) and it was still red. I get rough shifts every now and then though so I Still might change it.
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LogicaL Chaos
Ascension Energy & Alien UFOs




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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: Psilosopherr] 1
#24602343 - 09/04/17 05:33 AM (6 years, 4 months ago) |
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Is it a manual or automatic?
If its a manual, the clutch wheel might be worn out. If its an automatic, u could have leaky seals inside the trans perhaps.
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NcShroomr



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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: LogicaL Chaos] 1
#24605832 - 09/05/17 01:23 PM (6 years, 4 months ago) |
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Run some seafoam with the fuel to help clean the engine out
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Shroomymancer
Copy Cat


Registered: 10/20/17
Posts: 485
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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: Psilosopherr] 1
#24729702 - 10/22/17 04:01 PM (6 years, 3 months ago) |
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Rough gear changes: Have you looked at the shift linkage? I had that problem in an old car then one day NO SHIFTING! I popped the hood and the linkage bar had fallen off and luckily was stuck in there. I tied it on with a dog leash and drove home.
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Psilosopherr
A psilly goose



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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: Shroomymancer] 1
#24743400 - 10/28/17 12:53 PM (6 years, 3 months ago) |
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Thanks for the tips guys, haven't looked at the shift linkage.
Luckily the rough shifting seems to have stopped for a good while now. The only thing now is the engine will skip when accelerating, not seem to run at full power, was hoping changing the fuel filters would help that but it didn't.
Only thing I know to change now are the spark plugs, which also might fix my startup issues
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TheUpsideDown
Stranger Thing


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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: Psilosopherr] 1
#24770931 - 11/09/17 07:24 AM (6 years, 2 months ago) |
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If the engine is skipping during acceleration, you have a fuel or spark issue. If you haven't changed the plugs, I would definitely give them a replacement and I'd go ahead and swap those wires as well. If it is still being problematic, the coil/distributor is your next culprit. Other than a fuel filter replacement, your electrical system is going to be cheaper to evaluate. The nice thing about swapping some of these parts is that most parts stores have lifetime warranties on things like plug wires and coils, so even if they don't fix the problem, you have a safety net in case those parts do become problematic.
Since you said it sometimes hard-shifts, I'll assume it is an automatic. I would highly suggest NOT changing the fluid yourself. Older vehicles like that usually end up with issues when you drop the fluid to change fluid and filter, as trash gets stuck on the valve body. If you take it to a transmission shop, they will flush the old fluid out and new fluid in with a pump that keeps garbage out of the valve body.
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Psilosopherr
A psilly goose



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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: TheUpsideDown] 1
#24777322 - 11/12/17 08:09 AM (6 years, 2 months ago) |
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thanks for the reply, I'd recently narrowed it down to spark plugs myself, got em sitting right here waiting for a spare moment to put them in. Seems like that'll be it for my accord, I'm very happy with it for now, the running issues got partially fixed when I cleaned out some corrosion in the spark plug cable, now the plugs replacement should have it good to go.
On to this truck. Got new spark plug wires today to replace rat chewed ones, need to replace a corroded battery terminal and one of the tiny cables leading away from the positive battery terminal
After that if problems persist I'm going to check out the timing belt, seems easy enough to get to.
Only other problem with the truck I've noticed other than not starting is the clutch pedal goes to the floor with no resistance, internet seems to think thats caussed by a bad cylinder or leak in clutch fluid, something like that. Clutch fluid reservoir was empty so seems on the right track.
Other than that the more I evaluate the condition of that ancient truck the happier I am that I own it. Can't wait to drive it again, and a manual at that 
Oh right, I remember now that the brakes are in really sorry condition, beyond just the pads. But hey, if I get her running then I'll get the opportunity to learn all about brakes.
I'm actually thinking being a mechanic might be a good career/job for me. Might be a silly thing to say after only a couple car projects but this stuff seems up my alley, seems doable and I enjoy learning about it.
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TheUpsideDown
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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: Psilosopherr] 1
#24777800 - 11/12/17 01:00 PM (6 years, 2 months ago) |
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I worked as a diesel mechanic for 7 years. There's good money in doing mechanic work and the world doesn't have enough good mechanics.
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Psilosopherr
A psilly goose



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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: TheUpsideDown] 1
#24778668 - 11/12/17 08:05 PM (6 years, 2 months ago) |
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Thanks I was looking for input on that from people who'd done it. Is that something you typically go to school for? I saw our local technical college has a program but it seems like why work on this expensive degree when you could just work in a place where you'd gett the proper experience
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rackem



Registered: 11/27/09
Posts: 14,024
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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: Psilosopherr] 1
#24780209 - 11/13/17 12:49 PM (6 years, 2 months ago) |
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more often than not, the degree will get your foot in the door when it comes to automotive. that is all.. then you realize getting paid flat rate sucks ass and warranty times are a crime.
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Psilosopherr
A psilly goose



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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: rackem] 1
#24782131 - 11/14/17 09:40 AM (6 years, 2 months ago) |
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warranty times on the cars?
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Psilosopherr
A psilly goose



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Re: Tuning up my car and trying to get an old truck running, not a big car guy, some Q's [Re: Psilosopherr] 1
#24785631 - 11/15/17 06:50 PM (6 years, 2 months ago) |
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tightened my spark plugs slowly by wrench until I felt resistance increase and then stopped and loosened a touch. Did I fuck up?
Didnt seem to strip or anything, should I just loosen back to hand tightness and do the 1/2 turn by wrench rule?
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