Like my handle I am a noob. I change my own oil but that is about it. This car had a used engine put in about 40k miles ago. Last smog I had to replace the catalytic which cost me roughly $600. Trying to figure out if I should invest another 500-1k and get it running right again or if it is time to get a new car.

Have a very good friend who is a mechanic and I trust. Again I changed oil and filter and fired her up. Got switch and before my buddy swapped out the switch he checked the filter and saw it was bone dry and told me the pump was out. This was also the diagnosis I got from Midas after they looked at it for all of 5 min.

I know the switch is a rather easy swap but what about the screen? How much should an oil pump job run me?

 

Oil pan gasket is relatively an easy job, however it must all be done under the car on jack stands. I hate those jobs as I get nauseated after a long time lying upside down, but most folks don't have this problem.

If you plan to DIY get a Honda shop manual. See Online Manuals post in DIY forum and automanualsource.com for a $22 emanual. Check DIY forum for posts on the task.

Oil pump replacement w/ engine in place is a major undertaking and probably not advisable for someone new to DIY. Unless engine were in excellent condition, I would not recommend this job.

good luck

 

Can you elaborate? I am planning to have my mechanic replace the oil pump which is going to cost me roughly $700 with part and labor. Engine has always burned oil since I put it in 50k ago. Other than that I have no issues with it what so ever. Again I did replace catalytic last smog check. Are you advising me to part it out and invest in a new vehicle? I noticed low oil pressure light and have ran the engine a minimal amount since. What is the likeliness that I have more troubles after replacing the pump?

 

A few questions:

• What is the overall condition of the car?
• How many miles on the car?
• How long since major maintenance items have been performed such as brake, tires, timing belt?
• The engine you put in 50,000 miles ago; was it new, remanufactured, rebuilt, or used?

 

Blew my engine in LA and purchased a used engine which I am assuming was yanked from a junk yard. Was told it had 45k on it. Car is in solid shape aside from the paint. Had timing belt, water pump and clutch done 40k ago when engine was installed. Brakes were just done and tires are in good shape too. Car as a whole has 199k miles. A little worried a cv joint may go out as it makes some funky noises when rolling over train tracks. What do the experts recommend???

Last but not least, thank you guys for all your input thus far. I appreciate your time and expertise.

 

Hmmm...

• How much oil has the used engine been consuming? If more than one quart per thousand miles, then I highly doubt it had only 45,000 miles on it (that many miles is barely broken in for a Honda motor).
• If the issue ends up being the oil pump, then once again, I find myself questioning the real age of your engine.
• Given the cost of the replacement of the oil pump, if that proves to be the issue, I might be inclined to shop for another used engine, in better shape this time, and have that put in.
• Axle shafts (where the CV joints are located) are a somewhat common maintenance item for FWD cars, and are relatively inexpensive to have replaced.

 

Auto or manual? This generation's Accord had fragile automatic transmissions. If auto then consider selling the car on Craig's List; you should get $1000 easy, depending what part of the country you're in. If it's a five speed then the car's probably worth saving. Plenty of lower-mile 6th Gen four cylinder engines sitting around in junk yards coupled to grenaded automatics. Check car-parts(dot)com for an idea on price: many, many for < $500.

 

How much should a used engine installed run me?

 

Do this:

1. Check to see if the filter screen on the oil pump (dropping the oil pan) is clogged.

2. If it is not then all would point towards the oil pump (which is rare to go out in these cars). I have 421,000 and oil pump is still pumping strong in my '95 Accord.

3. If not clogged, invest in another engine. Also when shopping for another engine, try to find one at a junkyard w/ low miles and you may find one that will start. Also change all seals and timing belt while the engine is out. For used engines I have had success with car-part dot com

 

My point was investment of substantial amount ($700) to replace oil pump is questionable on an engine that is buring oil and may have had a very poor maintenance history prior to installation.

I would not replace oil pump before inspecting oil suction inlet for clogging. Note, a positive confirmation of clogged suction inlet would indicate poor maintenance history.

Regarding oil consumption, my experience is these cars leak more oil than they burn, but I've had none w/ poor maintenance history.

good luck