I have a 1995 Honda Passport LX 3

Tiny
COLLEENMARIECORMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 HONDA PASSPORT
  • 143,000 MILES
I have a 1995 Honda Passport LX 3.2 liter V6 2WD. I recently bought the car and after Pep Boys put it on a lift for an oil change, found out it had fluid residue on the undercarriage and they asked me to do a steam clean on it. I did unfortunately, and immediately afterwards there was a whirring sound which turned out to be (supposedly) the AC Clutch Assembly or Idler Bearing/ Pulley. Mechanics said that I can remove the belt for A/C and will save $979 repair (Im a single mom). If I have someone remove the belt it will only affect the A/C? I am getting such horrible MPG (like 10-11 MPG) and changing air filter, oil and oil filter, proper tire pressure and fuel additives. Nothing helps. What other things could be causing the poor mileage?
Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 AT 9:06 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
If the fuel pressure is to high due to a faulty fuel pressure regulator this will cause high consumption, faulty o2 sensors will also cause the engine to run rich, I would also get a scan done to check for any unresolved fault codes and for the A/c system, if this is a separate belt only for the compressor you can remove it with out any problem.
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 AT 10:01 AM
Tiny
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Is there any place in los angeles that checks codes for free? Do you think that a relatively experienced person could safely and easily (kinda) replace the fuel pressure regulator or O2 sensors?

Do you think that fuel additives work and whats the improvement per MPG? If so is it best added on empty tank or full tank?

Also does the 95 Honda Passport LX V6 2WD have a smog pump? My roommate is going to remove the belt and wanted to know. Are there any diagrams online for the three belts involved (Power steering-alternator-A/c)?
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 AT 10:09 AM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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Can't help with a work shop in LA as I live in Australia, any mechanic or a person with medium skills should be able to change the reg and O2 sensor, do not remove the belt you may only complicate things further.
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 AT 10:31 AM
Tiny
COLLEENMARIECORMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I have to remove the belt, the whirring is pissing me off and driving me batty. The "mechanic" I took it to (long time friends mechanic) told me to "cut it or it would just spin off and burn up after 100 miles or so" Every time I start my car and hear that sound I want to run over the idiots who did it. Is there any other way to fix the noise? I just took it from Pep Boys purring like a kitten for all of 2-3 hrs til they screwed it up.
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 AT 11:16 AM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
If it just the A/C belt cut it off fair chance that it is no good by now anyway.
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 AT 11:24 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Diagram shows the belt routing. Loosen the lock bolt and turn the adjuster to release the tension of the belt for removal. After belt removal, remove the pulley and check its bearing. Most probably that is the one that is bad and won't cost you much to have it replaced.

If I am not wrong, parts outlets such as autozone provides free scanning services but your model is pre-OBD-II so you can manually retrieve the codes. If the Check Engine Light is not showing, most probably you won't find any codes.
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 AT 12:53 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
How do you think the ac compressor failed from Pepboys?

Roy
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 AT 12:56 PM
Tiny
COLLEENMARIECORMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
No, actually Pep Boys changed the oil, air filter, added fuel additive and put car on lift to do safety check (tires etc.) On the lift the tech called me over and showed me a lot of dried fluid leakage on the undercarriage. They told me to get it steam cleaned at a car wash. The car ran considerably better and was quiet and smooth. I took it to the car wash, where they charged me $100 and asked me to sign waiver releasing them from liability. I had my roomie on my cell when I asked the owner if water was used and he twice replied "no just steam". I then signed it and they proceeded. Immediately after the steam clean there was a whirring noise and I took it to a mechanic who said it was idler bearing (upon closer exam said it was AC Clutch Assembly). I cant afford the $979 repair and he told me to cut or remove belt. Both mechanics I took car to are certain the steam clean pressurized water caused the damage. Car wash wont accept liability so now I have to sue. :-((
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2013 AT 6:24 PM

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