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Answer: If the pump is not leaking, there would be no need to change it unless a timing belt is needed. We change the water pump on Honda's when we change the timing belt because the timing belt has to be removed to change the pump. We recommend changing the timing belt every 60,000 miles. If your timing belt has never been changed, both the belt and the pump should be changed.

Question: 1991 Honda Accord  mileage: 170,000. Two problems, maybe related, maybe not. When cold starting the car, engine idles at 1500 rpm (normal). After a couple of minutes, the idle fluctuates between 1000 and 1500 rpm and continues; "jumping" until the engine is fully warm. It then idles at 800 rpm. The "jumping" will sometimes recur in cold weather when the defroster is on. Second, periodically, whether the engine is cold or warm, it will crank but not start. Seems to not be getting fuel. Hold the pedal to the floor and crank, it will eventually start and once started, runs fine. No computer codes have been set. I removed the throttle body and cleaned it, the throttle position sensor tested OK. I removed and cleaned the idle speed motor (it was clogged with carbon) and actuated it with a 9-volt battery. Worked fine. The coolant sensor was recently replaced and the EGR valve moves freely although it is original. The oxygen sensor is original and $120 to replace. Could the manifold air pressure sensor or the intake air temperature sensor have a bearing on these problems? Any other items come to mind that I should check?

Answer: From what you have told us, we would replace the PCV valve and also the oxygen sensor.

Question: 1993 Honda Accord mileage: 80,000. Dear Bob and Ken, Let me begin by saying that I thoroughly enjoy your website! It's #1 on my list! I searched through your previous car questions/answers but was unable to find the answer to mine. I still have the stock rims and just got a new set of Toyo Proxis H4 205/60/15 put on them. My problem is that my car pulls gradually to the right and I must compensate to stay on the road by turning my wheel about 10-15 degrees counterclockwise while driving. I have had the car aligned TWICE and it still has not fixed the problem. I have been told that all my front-end components are in good shape (i.e. ball joints, tie rod ends, sway bar bushings etc.). Can the shop just simply adjust the alignment to compensate for this or will it throw the car out of true alignment? What could be the problems and possible remedies? I understand that you are best so any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated! Thank you and keep up the good work! Eric

Answer: Try switching the two front tires with each other and see if that corrects the pulling first. If not, the alignment can be adjusted to compensate it.

Question: 2002 Honda Accord  mileage: 50,000. Air conditioner problem. Mechanic cannot fix unless they can duplicate problem. Compressor is charged and has no leaks. Will either freeze you out, or it is warmer than air outside. Yesterday it was putting out hot air, so I lifted the hood and the compressor was turning. The mechanic showed me how to check. On the average it happens about once a week. Have tried turning ac button on and off, turning off engine and starting again, switching all the selection buttons on air console. Drove it 3 times yesterday between 6:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and it was freezing. Drove it 3 times between 4:00 pm and 9:00 p.m. yesterday--hot air. Drove it around midnight and it was freezing. What are the possibilities of things that could be wrong with the system?

Answer: Check the expansion valve as it may be malfunctioning. Also, check the engagement coil for the air-conditioner compressor clutch, as it may be weak and occasionally disengaging.

Question: 1997 Honda Accord mileage: 113,000. When starting my car lately my SRS (red light) stays on and beeps longer than usual. What does this mean? What do I need to do to fix the problem?

Answer: The SRS light is a safety restraint system (air bag). Have the body control module scanned to locate the stored fault code.

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Question: 2002 Honda Accord mileage: 50,000. When cruising at about 40 mph the vehicle begins to jerk a bit as if it had a manual transmission and I suddenly floored the gas pedal. I spoke to a service rep at the dealership and he stated that this was due to the "locking" transmission and that it was normal. But, for some reason, I don't believe him. Any clues on this?

Answer: Have the dealer check to see if there is an update for the computer that controls the transmission. It is possible the throttle position cable may be out of position.

Question:  1996 Honda Accord  mileage: 170,000.   How often does a distributor usually last (need to be replaced)?  I just got it replaced 4 years ago and now my car is dead.  Mechanic says the distributor needs to be replaced.  Does that sound right?

Answer:  Normally, distributors last the lifetime of the car.  Unfortunately, Honda has had a problem with their distributors failing prematurely.  Your mechanic is probably right here.

Question:  1999 Honda Accord mileage: 106,000.  The mechanic at the Honda dealer suggested the we replace the timing belt.  Cost would be around $500.  With this low mileage, should we be concerned about the timing belt?

Answer:  Honda normally recommends replacing the timing belt at 60,000 miles.  However, with your low mileage and the age of the car, it would be a good idea to replace the belt and the water pump.

Question:  1998 Honda Accord mileage: 101,600.  While our car was up on the lift for an oil change the mechanic noticed uneven wear on the inside of the left rear tire. The tires (Michelin X-One) have about 40,000 miles on them and have been rotated every 7,000 miles.  The mechanic suspects worn-out struts since the originals are still on the car.   He recommends replacing all struts soon, before we ruin our tires.  He ball-parked the cost of the struts + labor at $500-$600.  Does this seem legit?

Question:  1999 Honda Accord mileage: 110,000.  When I start the car in the morning, after a few seconds it dies. I pump the gas before I start it and as it is running, but it doesn't matter, it dies.  It will start again after a few tries.  It has a carburetor.  Then sometimes when I am driving the car decelerates.  It feels almost like it isn't getting gas.  It jerks and lunges.  However, it doesn't do this all the time.  If I pull over, it sometimes dies. My mechanic checked the car, and only found a vacuum hose routed wrong.   The car ran fine for him (of course!).   But a few days later the car was back to acting like it's running out of gas while it has plenty.  Help?  Thanks

Answer:  The problems you have described, we have found in the past to be caused by the distributor.  The entire distributor assembly should be replaced.

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Question:  1999 Honda Accord mileage: 85,000.  Have a problem with the engine; mechanic says that I only have 30 psi in first cylinder, 90 psi in second, and next two are fine.  What do you think is wrong?

Answer:  Have your mechanic perform a cylinder leak-down test.  This will pinpoint whether your problem is rings, valves or gaskets.

Question:  2001 Honda Accord mileage: 55,000.  I need to replace the thermostat and I want to know the difference between them.  You can purchase 170 degree, 180 degree, and 192-degree thermostats.  What is the difference between these, and which one is the best for my car.  I drive my car only in the summer months.

Answer:    The difference in the thermostats is the temperature at which they open allowing coolant to flow into the radiator.  We would suggest installing a 192° thermostat because that is the original factory specification.  This is necessary for all of your computer engine management systems to work properly.

Question:  1996 Honda Accord Ex  mileage: 120,000.   My car has some difficulty in accelerating when I stop at a traffic light and then proceed. It will not go beyond 20 mph, and the engine has a loud noise.  After 30 seconds later, the problem disappears.  The problem occurs occasionally, especially in the local road.  In addition, I was told that I need a valve adjustment very badly when I did the oil change this January.  Does the problem have anything to do with it? My transmission is leaking.  Do you know how much it would be to fix it?

Answer:   We think that the problem you described may be caused by the transmission; something as simple as being low on fluid. Worse case scenario is after 120,000 your transmission may need to be overhauled.  Not able to give an estimate on the fix without knowing where the leak is coming from.

Question:  1997 Accord  mileage: 92,000.  Hello, I removed the fuse for the SRS system as I was looking for a dead fuse...now my SRS light will not go off after re-inserting the fuse.  I tried disconnecting the battery for about an hour but the problem is still there.  Can I reset this myself or must it be done by a dealer?

Answer:   To get the warning light to go off, it must be reset with a computer-scanning tool.  An independent automobile repair facility or a dealer has the equipment to do this.

Answer:    We do not know if a seal kit is available.  The best thing to do is check with a Honda dealer and see if they can order one.  A Mitchell or Chilton auto repair manual will have diagrams showing what you are looking for.  The manuals also give step-by-step instructions. car repair manuals

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