I need an opinion on a hatchback
#11
06-09-2010, 02:23 PM
Ah awesome, I have a full home shop with compressor, impact, engine hoist ect, so I'm not worried about the tool aspect of it. I was looking at getting a GTI but the engines are such a pain in the *** to work on, you need to drop the engine to change the timing chain!
#13
06-09-2010, 05:45 PM
pretty easy just look for drips or dirty(oily) areas around where the valve cover meets the head
if your civic doesnt have the leak now it most likely will later
but dont worry the gaskets only around $20 with the spark plug tube seals and grommets
if your civic doesnt have the leak now it most likely will later
but dont worry the gaskets only around $20 with the spark plug tube seals and grommets
#15
06-10-2010, 04:11 AM
Good luck on the purchase... you'll definitely be happy you went with a honda over a VW... Hondas start in the rain (VW has had a problem with their ignitions for almost 20 years now... if the coil or distributor gets wet, the car doesn't want to start) 
I believe you can pick up timing belt kits for around $100, but I haven't priced them out in quite some time, so it could be more or less by now.
I believe you can pick up timing belt kits for around $100, but I haven't priced them out in quite some time, so it could be more or less by now.
#17
06-10-2010, 06:42 AM
Well hopefully replacing them myself isnt too hard, Ill have to buy a timing light and I think its about time to invest in a torque wrench but you know, those are tools that Ill have for the rest of my life, im not worried.
#18
06-10-2010, 06:54 AM
Amen...
But don't buy cheap sockets... I learned from experience my dad bought a cheap set & when I was taking my seats out to clean under them I broke his 12mm
That or I just have hulk strength I didn't know about!
But when I got my civic in Jan before we put it on the road we replaced everything I just mentioned and I know we didn't spend no more then $50 on everything. As a matter O' fact I don't even think we used the Timing belt because the Timing belt that was on it was brand new!
But don't buy cheap sockets... I learned from experience my dad bought a cheap set & when I was taking my seats out to clean under them I broke his 12mm
That or I just have hulk strength I didn't know about! But when I got my civic in Jan before we put it on the road we replaced everything I just mentioned and I know we didn't spend no more then $50 on everything. As a matter O' fact I don't even think we used the Timing belt because the Timing belt that was on it was brand new!
#19
06-10-2010, 07:46 AM
+1 on the cheap sockets. I've broken cheap sockets without trying; the only craftsman tool I've broken under professional use was a 1/2"-3/8" impact reducer. I'd go with Craftsman, Snap-On, Matco, or MAC. NAPA tools aren't too bad, either, but I wouldn't use them personally (being a mechanic, I want to know something's not going to break. I don't have that kind of confidence in NAPA). I'd recommend getting a good torque wrench, too.