1988 Honda Accord charging system and oil system

SOLDIER7

MEMBER
1988 HONDA ACCORD
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
91,500 MILES

I have taken my car to a mechanic 20 times (no lie!) For shaking, overheating, air conditioning shaking so bad the car almost dies. Replaced head gasket, transmission converter, motor mounts, master cylinder (brakes died), hoses all kinds of things. My car died last week on the freeway and two lights came on the charging system light and the oil pressure light. My mechanic says 2 cylinders are dead - and I need an engine replacement - I have already infested $1600 into this car in the last year. Do you think I need an engine replacement from the description of the 2 lights coming on and would it be worth it for an 88 honda with 91,500 miles on it? I am so confused as to what to do. Thank you so much. Rebecca

3 Replies

JAMES W.

MECHANIC
2,394 POSTS

Rebecca, Cars are like people. Some cars will serve you well for miles and miles and with just general maintenance, they never complain, just keep on going. OTHERS, just refuse to stay fixed. No matter how you take care of them, no matter how good you are to them, there's always something wrong with them. Sounds like you have one of the latter. Even though you've put a lot of money into the car, It's 20 years old with almost 100K on it. Unless it's a real "cream puff" inside and out and you really like the car, I wouldn't put a motor in it. I would put the money into something else. If you have, in fact, 2 dead cylinders. That's major engine work and will be expensive. Hope this helps.