I've been a Honda junkie all my life and I currently own a 95 Accord ex 2.2 vtec. Loaded. And I love it. But I recently found a 1990 Honda prelude si for sale for 400$ with144k miles. It needs a distributor the current owner says its only running on 2 cylinders. Maby its the whole distributor or just the cap but I'm wondering what you guys think of the buy. And how hard it is to do a whole distributor. And what should I expect as far as running wise. Idk how they run or reliability wise. Any info would help. I'm seriously liking the pop up headlights thou haha

 

Any car for $400 isn't a bad deal.

As far as the distributor, its very easy to replace, and you can usually get one from autozone or a store like that for $200 or less.

But I would be skeptical on just taking the sellers word on that being the problem. Its possible, but I've found when a seller says its an "easy fix" they just haven't gotten around to it; it usually isn't such a simple fix.

 

Yeah I know. I'm gonna go look at it this weekend. What else could it be if its not the distributor? She said its only running on 2 cylinders. And they have another vehicle and are expecting a kid soon so they need the money I guess. But I should be able to tell if its something deep in the motor when I start it right? Any clear signs its a distributor?

 

I'd want to check the compression on all cyl's.

 

I go along with this statement also. Some time and most times the Easy Fix becomes a Not Easy Fix...so watch out..

WBANG

 

Yeah Maby I should take a mechanic with me and a compression check will tell me if Maby it bent some valves or possibly dropped both those cylinders. If I take a compression tester with me and their all equal. I should be good right?

 

Yeah it would be good for sure if the compression test checks out. I would ask the seller why they think it is the distributor.

 

She said she had a multiple mechanics tell them it was that. She's having her son in like a month and they need all the money they can get she said. She can't afford to get it fixed with all the baby stuff. For the part or a mechanic to do it. I'm pretty sure I can fix it myself. I don't have a compression tester thou. Maby now's a good time to invest in one. I'm now debating between that car or putting a timing belt on my accord. I'm alittle strapped for cash right now. And I don't wanna lose this car if its worth it.

 

A distributor is incredibly easy to change, 3 bolts and 1 or 2 connectors(not sure for that year/model). Just gotta make sure you put the spark plug wires back on in the right order.

Maybe you should see if a local pick and pull has a similar prelude that you could get the distributor off for a few bucks and bring it with you.

 

You can check Harbor Freight or some place like that for the price of a comp tester - if you are going to work on cars for any length of time it can come in handy......on the other hand many places rent these, you pay for it but get your money back when you return it.......loaner tools - many places offer this.