So this is my first post on these forums, I decided to come here and pick some enlightened brains about my fiances' 2002 Honda Civic 5-Speed that she has. The car was bought in Canada, so Im not sure what engine it has in it or anything.

Ive personally driven the car many times, and it just seems tired and underpowered. It has been maintained well enough, regular oil changes and services. I don't know exact details, but it has been cared for decently enough at least. All I can say about it, is that it is tired and worn out most likely.

She used to never have to gear down to pass vehicles, or to go up some hills but show she finds that she does. It seems very underpowered on the highway on the top end.

It currently has 130,000km's on it, so Im lead to believe that it might be time for a possible rebuild?

Suggestions on what I can do? Also how much does a re-build kit run for these little cars, Im fairly mechanical and could handle a re-build with the help of my uncle. Or would it be better to let a dealership handle this?


Any idea's on what I should do? The car runs great otherwise, awesome economy and the body and interior are in great shape. We basically want to run it into the ground so just swapping the car in for a new one doesn't fit the bill. Any aftermarket simple bolt-on products that can spruce it up a little bit as well?

Thanks!

 

When properly cared for, Honda engines can go many miles. 130K mi is still young, so don't think about replacing the engine just yet.

Is the CEL ON?

If NOT, here are some ideas:

 

The CEL light has never come on for this reason, it just seems like the car has lost some top end power. Its most noticable on the highways, and not in town so it has good low end.

I was thinking of getting an aftermarket intake system to let it breathe better, when we want more horsepower on the highways.

Would this be a viable, reasonably affordable upgrade to do? Its my fiances' car, so it doesn't have to act like a race car by any means, I just want it to run better.

Suggestions?

 

The diagram in my earlier post lists items to troubleshoot for "low power" if the CEL is NOT ON.

 

Am I to assume I check the owners manual for those pages?

 

This information won"t be found in the owner's manual. Check the 02-03 Civic service manual at the link in my signature. Post any specific questions you have after reviewing relevant information in the manual.