1998-2003 Accord, what to look out for?
- Thread starter lemonade
- Start date
Timing belt
There aren't a lot of common problems, the vtec engines are very strong. Mine has needed since I got it a few months ago:
- new ignition switch. Was cutting out intermittently, £75 for the part and some scuffed knuckles fitting it
- air con leak repaired - about £150 including the part, diagnosis and regasses. Turned out to be one of the pipes which is prone to leaking
- juddering clutch - a poor/stiff/juddering clutch isn't uncommon due to having separate fluid that a lot of people wont bother changing (as opposed to using the brake fluid). A fluid change improved mine hugely but it will want a new clutch eventually.
It has also just failed the MOT on a leaking shock (surprisingly expensive part at about £90) and binding brakes, which should just need the calliper freeing up. Don't think either of these are especially common, merely part of the territory with cars this age
There aren't a lot of common problems, the vtec engines are very strong. Mine has needed since I got it a few months ago:
- new ignition switch. Was cutting out intermittently, £75 for the part and some scuffed knuckles fitting it
- air con leak repaired - about £150 including the part, diagnosis and regasses. Turned out to be one of the pipes which is prone to leaking
- juddering clutch - a poor/stiff/juddering clutch isn't uncommon due to having separate fluid that a lot of people wont bother changing (as opposed to using the brake fluid). A fluid change improved mine hugely but it will want a new clutch eventually.
It has also just failed the MOT on a leaking shock (surprisingly expensive part at about £90) and binding brakes, which should just need the calliper freeing up. Don't think either of these are especially common, merely part of the territory with cars this age
Cheers mate, well we went to have a look at a 1.8 auto, and the car had a gearbox problem 
when you move from low speed, eg when you slow down to go over a hump and move off, the car judders massively, everything shakes and rattles badly in the car. It's put my dad of that gen accord lol.
Anyone had any experience with a Honda stream? it has more newer engine, the i-vtec ones, and the gearbox is different, 6 speed autos it think, so might me more durable.
when you move from low speed, eg when you slow down to go over a hump and move off, the car judders massively, everything shakes and rattles badly in the car. It's put my dad of that gen accord lol.Anyone had any experience with a Honda stream? it has more newer engine, the i-vtec ones, and the gearbox is different, 6 speed autos it think, so might me more durable.
The accords generally dont ever need much, at the age your looking at brake calipers, front ball joints, the brake and fuel pipes corrode due to the stupid carrier they sit in. Parts are expensive but they don't break often. Stick with manual if possible, failing that the newer honda auto's are very good. Dont buy one with abs/engine management lights on as both abs sensors and o2 sensors are rediculiously expensive. Don't let that put you off though, there's not many better cars for the money at that age.
