I posted an intro thread a moment or two ago, but I wanted to jump right in here. I find forums to be much more helpful that most mechanics and web sites.

I bought a 1998 honda civic LX 4dr yesterday with 194k miles on it. all in all it is in good shape but I realize it has a pile of miles so I want to make sure I get off on the right foot here.

I have two problems thus far, one worse than the other.

1. the blinkers are erratic at best. All four bulbs work, but sometimes they blink fast, other times they blink slow, and once this morning they were normal. Any thoughts? Not a huge deal but kind of annoying.

2. I smelled a little coolant on the way home this afternoon. I flipped the heater on and it wasn't blowing hot... for a while... than it kicked in hot. Symptoms were like a sticky thermostat so I figure I would check it out tomorrow, but I thought I would ask around here to see if there was anything "typical" that goes wrong like this.

Otherwise, are there any other "normal" or expected issues I should be on the watch for? I have NO problem putting in the wrench time, just want to know what to keep my eyes on.

 

anyone know where a guy can go to get some basic answers? I think this forum may be more geared to customs and tuners... I was hoping for some help with some basic civic issues.

 

The blinker relay is designed to blink fast when the current is less than normal (due to a burnt out bulb or otherwise a bulb not working). When it is blinking fast, get out and check which bulb is not working. Corroded sockets in the trunk are common. If it is blinking at a strange rate but all the bulbs are working, replace the blinker relay.

The heater not working is a typical symptom of low coolant level. Check in the radiator (when cold) not just in the white plastic tank. The radiator should stay full to the top. If it is low you need to run the engine with the cap off (and the heater control on full hot) to purge bubbles out. Add more coolant as needed to keep it full, when it starts to overflow due to warming up put the cap on.

 

Hold on a sec - you gave it less than an hour in the middle of the night before posting a follow-up? Glad mk378 came to your rescue.

 

^^ That. This forum is not as busy as the others. But the members who help out are EXTREMELY knowledgeable.

MK is great with general Civic care and diagnostic stuff.

 

thanks guys... I was able to spend a little time under the car today and it appears as if the civic I bought has a coolant leak from (I hope) the water pump. It looks to be located low on the driver side. Going to purchase a chilton tomorrow to help locate some parts. How tough a job is it to replace the water pump?

I recently did the one on my tahoe, also did one on my Cadi a few years back and another on my first truck (82 GMC). Those were all pretty easy and straight forward, but this will be my first attempt at working on a compact.

 

It not the same as the suv and truck you mentioned, those are usually in the front behind the clutch fan.

Honda water pump is driven by the timing belt, thus the same as a timing belt job.

 

yeah just look for leaks before you assume its the pump. on these cars they do have a weep hole if the pump goes out but im unsure if the coolant would find its way out of the T belt cover. First check all your hoses and the radiator. fill it and drive it until it gets to operating temp then pull over and look for wet spots and leaks

 

being the same as a timeing belt job... is there something else I should acount for? I plan on purchasing a water pump and timing belt to do this project on saturday... do I need to replace or repair anything else? Any recomendations?

 

Leaks from the water pump will come out the weep hole near the alternator and the timing belt cover. It looks like part of the block but the water pump is actually a separate piece that merges with the block. Be sure it's not just one of the little hoses behind the engine that go up to the manifold. The large black pipe that goes across the back of the engine is also full of coolant.