Honda Accord - Water pump issue?

[Hotspotter]

The thing is a just a great runner, with 230K on it, and little work I've ever had to do on the thing.

Start seeing coolant on the garage floor, puddle about 4feet wide and 3ft tall......seems like plenty! Take it somewhere to get an oil change and ask if they'll apply pressure to the coolant system. They see it dripping down back behind by timing belt. Recommend new timing belt, water pump, pulleys, etc.

Question is, how long do I dare limp it along? Second question is, how badly am I screwing up other things on the vehicle by limping it along? Third question is, does a '91 Honda Accord with 230k, bad tires, water pump/current issue, that shakes going down the road (U/Ball joint?), warrant fixing? Trade in value will be next to nothing?

Joel

[Mudcat21]

I have a 94 Accord with 257,000. Still running good, but I have made the decision if something major happens to go wrong I'm not going to fix it. It comes to a point where you don't want to be paying for a dead horse. Car payments suck, but it's better then throwing money away. It sounds like yours has hit the point where it's not worth it anymore. Timing belts cost around $450 to have installed, now tack on new water pump and what ever else they said your looking at more money then the car is worth. Me personally, I would keep an eye on the antifreeze level and run it till it dies! I also don't drive a lot miles and don't worry about be stranded along the road.

[ChuckN]

The decision is in your hands Joel. Been there, done that many times...actually just did all these with 2 vehicles, but add 4 new struts on top of all that.

That's a big pool of coolant, and no matter what, I would fix it, or sell as is. Don't drive it like that.

Timing belt w/new water pump, pulleys...range of $400

New tires...I can get cheap tires around $200 locally.

U Joints. No idea.

I'd say for around $800 - $1000 you may need to put into the car if that's the case. Is the car worth it to you, or would you rather buy another one.

I seem to always fix what I have and pray that it is worth it. So far so good about 90% of the time.

Recently, I found a coolant leak on my car now too. Radiator. Ugh.

[Hotspotter]

Thanks for the replies Chuck/Mudcat, I was thinking the same thing. Local traffic only, keep the levels up and go till she blows!

To add a new twist though, both my brother and neighbor are grease-monkeys, and could fix both timing belt and water pump for around $400.

NADA lists it at a surprising $3,175 as an average value.

All of which puts me on the fence!

Joel

[burl]

If you can afford the fixes it may be better to go that route.

Currently own two accords,98 and 2003.The three that i owned prior to that had over 400,000 miles on the engines and still were running strong.My brother pulled the engines and put them in some wrecked out units drove them another two to three years.The engines seem like they could go forever.Beats car payments,= more cash to spend on fishing.Burl.

[ice_it_06]

jnelson:

Pretty much a "personal" decision on what you do. Personally if the car is a daily runner and is needed, I asked myself one simple question. Should the car need $600 in repairs with a good history of owning it already, WHAT will I find or get in replacement for the same $$$.

ANSWER: $600 -$1,000 gets you what you already have IMOP.

Now if $$ is not a issue and you are ready to upgrade substantially and replace it, I'd probably call the boneyard.

Water pump leaking bad is not nothing to run on. With alternatives to get it fixed by a brother or neighbor its not that big of a repair for someone experienced. Timing belt is a wash as you are right there to do it, its just added $$$.

Your tires could be your alignment or wobble issues as well.

If I'm not putting out at least $3,000 in something newer I'd be all over $400 to get a pump, timing belt, and $200 set of cheapo tires on it especially if the body and interior are sound.

You cant sell it without any of the repairs if you want any value out of it other then parts or junk value ?

I have a Dodge Caravan with 288,000 on it and driving it without reverse for over a year. I will not put a fourth tranny in it but the forward gear will not die. (talk about milking it out) lol

Good luck, we all have that bridge to cross at one time or more

[Coach Dog]

Jnelson,

Off the subject but I see you hail from SE MN, whereabouts? I grew up in Lewiston.

Coach Dog

[Fishbreath1]

Does it have an interference engine? If it does its dead if the timing belt snaps. If coolant actually is coming in contact with the belt, it will wear out much faster. The NADA is only applicable if the car looks good and is in good shape framewise. I personally would not pay that much for your car, even in good shape. No one ever really gets that for trades most of the time, anyway.

[hondavxr]

All of Honda's motors are interference. If you have a leaky water pump, watch your temp sensor, because you can overheat and ruin the head gasket. This is common with Accords with over 200,000 miles. I will tell you that if you do intend to fix this, you will probably get another 100,000 or more on this car. I have always owned Hondas and I race Hondas and all I can say is Honda knows how to build their motors.

[Hotspotter]

That's what I've been doing.....keeping a steady eye on the temp gauge. What's interesting is that the leak was one night....after regular usage. I topped off the coolant, and it hasn't leaked or drawn-down since.

The shop that I took it into applied pressure to the system, and said they saw it dripping back behind the something-something, suspected water pump.

I think I'll be getting someone to fix it, and get even more miles out of it. Too reliable a runner to not keep it.

We'll see what happens, but I'm nervous about overheating like you said until I can get it looked at.

Joel

[ChuckN]

Joel, have you ever changed the timing belt, or know the history? Replacement might be recommended around every 70K miles like my Toyo and Mazda...like someone said the coolant might weaken the belt and if the belt goes you are looking at much more engine trouble. I had a belt go on a Civic and the valves were damaged, not good...

I don't know about the Accord, but if there is a plastic housing around the belt on some cars, take the housing off and peek at the belt for it's condition, and if it's wet.

[Hotspotter]

Chuck:

Good call.....the place recommended changing it if going in there, just because it's handy then. They even recommended pulleys and a few other things while in there.

Looks like i'll be throwing parts at it!

Joel

[hondavxr]

Since you are changing the water pump, change the timing belt, and balance shaft belt. The balance shaft belt and timing belt work hand and hand together. I am pretty sure where you brought the car to should already know. You wont need any pulleys. You will only need them if they are cracked or damaged. Those f22 motors will last a long time. If you need anymore help, just email me: hondavxr @ gmail . com. thanks