New to the forum. Just bought my 1st Integra! My story/rant. Advice needed PLEASE!

CLEEN 50

New Member
Hello everyone,



Here's what my car looks like same color (Not actual pic) I'll try and upload some later tomorrow


I purchased a 1990 Acura Integra LS A/T 60,000 original miles last year in November. The car looked immaculate the day I bought it and still has the original dealer registration taped to the window. Engine ran smoothly, AC blows cold etc. The only issues it had was that you had to let the car warm up or else the transmission would stay in 1st gear a little too long and the steering while vibrated while at a stop in drive and reverse (most likely motor mounts). All in all I was very happy with my purchased as I only paid $2,900. The car belonged to a little old lady so I figured everything was well taken care of etc., but as of late the car has had its share of issues and it just has been so frustrating because I need this car to work and get around etc. The biggest issue was that the transmission started leaking after a long drive and the next day when I went to drive it, it wouldn't even shift into third gear unless you hit the gas just right. I would add transmission fluid if the dipstick indicated to do so, but it just wouldn't drive right. Then all of a sudden the car wouldn't even respond when I put it into drive unless I went into reverse first and even when I was in reverse I had to rev it up a little so that it would catch. I was just so fed up with the car at this point, but I needed to get to work so there wasn't much I could do until I had worked enough hours to fix it (I know I was probably making it worse, but I really had no other options). Well a few weeks ago when I was driving the transmission just started making this whining noise while in the highest gear so I shifted into d3 and just made it home. After I started it again and put it into gear it just wouldn't move. Needless to say I was beside myself. I just couldn't comprehend why a 60,000 mile transmission would give out so soon!

I ended up towing the car to a shop that could rebuild the transmission for $1500. It was rebuilt and a new torque converter was needed because mine was shot and had metal shavings in it. I also needed a new transmission mount as mine was shot as well. Things just kept on adding up and I was livid seeing as I had already put around a $1200 into the car a couple weeks before the transmission started to act up (see below for details). So I get my car back a couple weeks ago from the transmission shop and I'm relieved to finally pick it up and get back to normal. The car drives fine with the exception of a knock like sound when the car is shifting down from 3rd to 2nd gear (I was told this was due to the other motor mounts that needed replacing. I figured hey I'll end up getting them replaced soon I just need to get back to work again and get back on track. I find out its going to cost anywhere from $450-550 to get the motor mounts replaced so I'm livid again of course! So I've been saving up for that as my funds have been depleted from all these past repairs. Around a week ago that knock/clunk from 3rd to 2nd just got worse (I'm assuming its because the motor mounts are getting worse, but correct me if I'm way off base) and my car starts leaking transmission fluid again. It seems to be coming from the drivers side away from the transmission so I do research on the net and look under the hood with a flashlight and I've come to the conclusion that it's most likely my transmission cooling line that's leaking now! My transmission is under warranty for the next 3 months so I'm just going to take it back to the shop and see if its covered and if they will fix it tomorrow. I'm just so effin fed up with this car. I keep telling myself that once 'this' is fixed it'll be like a brand new car, but really I'm just thinking about whats gonna break next on me. I think I may just sell this car when I get this all straightened out. I know cars break down and what not but all this just seems to be happening back to back and its killing me. If you read this long rant I'd like to thank you and ask for any advice you have.

List of things I've had to get done so far:
- Replaced the engine cooling hose (old one just burst)
- Replaced the ignition coil (after car just shut off on me while driving)
- Tune up (When ignition coil went out my mechanic said the car needed a tune up bad)
- New tires
- Alignment (My alignment was way off and the front tires were very worn on the inside.)
- Resurfaced front rotors
- New brake pads
- Rebuilt A/T transmission

Repairs needed:
- Motor mounts need to be replaced (vibration felt throughout the car when stopped in drive or reverse and also maybe the cause of the clunk I get when the transmission downshifts from 3rd to 2nd gear)
- Transmission coolant line needs to be replaced
- Headlight needs to be replaced
- Serpentine belt started slightly squeaking/squealing today may need to replace that as well I forgot to mention
- Low beam driver side headlight doesn't work
- One of the license plate light bulbs needs to be replaced
- Driver side window needs to be adjusted. There is an air leak because it doesn't sit all the way against the b-pillar
- Passenger side speaker tends to cut out and cut in at its leisure
- Lower windshield weatherstripping needs to be replaced. Passenger side floor was soaked after a rainy day.

Thank you,
GC
 
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The Kev

Vtec? I have V-TAK! Son..
Welcome to CI....Just hang in there, I'm also going through the "repair route" myself. Just have to be patient.
 

awright3331

G1 TEG
sir, I feel you. I have a 1989 integra LS. I am going through repair after repair after repair. Heres my advice to you. That car probably sat for a really long time. mine did. When a car sits, its bad for it, things will stop working, things will deteriorate, fluids start going to shit, battery cells die, tires start to dry rot, the thing about any vehicle, sitting for a long period of time is bad and will cause things to malfunction when you start it up and start driving for the first time in years, the one important thing you need to remember is that no matter what stick with it, integras can be good cars to the right people. so just dump what must be dumped into her.
 

pluckt007

Fat guy in a little coat.
Take a deep breath, clearly your getting too worked up. Sure the tranny went, but to list a licence plate bulb as a problem tells me you got to take a step back. One thing after another... headlights and plate lights are easy fixes, chill... you need a beer.
 

ls1adam84

I Speak Smart Ass
I am there too, but I only paid $1300 for a clean title, staright body car with a strong engine. I am tracking some cooling demons currently and getting the Window motor back into the door and getting the driver window to work.

Just do one thing at a time and it will all get done.
 


CLEEN 50

New Member
thanks for the responses guys I really appreciate it. I do need a beer or 2 or 3.. lol

Does the clunk when the transmission downshifts from 3rd to 2nd sound like a motor mount problem to you guys?

Thanks again!
 

JustinMcGee1

I like Hondas
At least you know what needs to be fixed!:) The great wall of china wasn't build in one day neither will be your car

this post was made in china using Taptalk2
 

UalRamper

New Member
thanks for the responses guys I really appreciate it. I do need a beer or 2 or 3.. lol

Does the clunk when the transmission downshifts from 3rd to 2nd sound like a motor mount problem to you guys?

Thanks again!
its very likely .....when it down shifts the motor and tranny will shift

I know with my M/T when i was in reverse the car would clunk and it was the rear motor mount that was bad.

500 to change a motor mount is a rip off

the fact that an old lady had the car and its as old as it is with no miles means she barely drove it which isnt good, that also means she probably didnt do the maintenance either.

when cars sit around seals and gaskets rot and dry up

get a manual and try to do what ever you can yourself

its a great find and I wish I could find one like that.
 

PioneerLS

New Member
Most of these arent pretty big things except the tranny woes. Replacing a headlight and a licence plate bulb etc isnt too much, and besides, you got the car for cheap for the mileage. Sucks about the tranny thuogh, good luck with the rest.
 

98GS

Member
The reason we like old lady owners is cuz we know they didn't romp on it Lol. Your car will come together. The good thing about Hondas is parts are everywhere and they r pretty easy to work on for the most part. Just hang in there ;)

Sent from my XT912 using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2
 

JustinMcGee1

I like Hondas
The reason we like old lady owners is cuz we know they didn't romp on it Lol. Your car will come together. The good thing about Hondas is parts are everywhere and they r pretty easy to work on for the most part. Just hang in there ;)

Sent from my XT912 using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2
If it was a VW it would cost a small fortune to fix and you would probably lose your mind working on it. My dad had a jetta TDI and that thing was a bitch

this post was made in china using Taptalk2
 

djzachtyler

Looking for my next Teg..
like others have said... don't get frustrated... you have a 20+ year old car & with the age comes alot of typical issues. 60k miles is freaking great all things considered.

I know it sucks having to keep finding issues like you are, but can also tell ya that with ANY used car that is older it would be a similar pilgrimage to get it running "right"

trust me ( and everyone else) when it is said that once you get the issues worked out.. you will come to love this car more than you realize :)
 
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