1988 Honda Accord charging system and oil system

Tiny
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
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 AT 6:50 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
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.
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Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 AT 9:31 PM
Tiny
SOLDIER7
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you James. I have to drive all over Los Angeles Cojnty as I am a graduate student in social work and living on school loans so am overwhelmed at the idea of spending money on a car. But thank you for the response.I really appreciate your time. Rebecca
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Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 AT 1:32 AM
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
Anything else, you know where to find us.
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Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 AT 1:46 PM

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