'90 Accord EX

I bought my car about 2.5 yrs ago and it has broken down a few times,
mostly suspension parts needing to be replaced and it has a bit of rust in
the "honda spot" but thats about all that is wrong with it. It has been
very reliable and nice for $1780 and I bought it with only 97,000 miles on
it. The clutch has been nice to me considering I beat the shit out of it
too. haha...

About a month or so ago, I started experiencing a loss in brake
pressure at the pedal for some reason. I will be sitting at a stop light
and the pedal will slowly start sinking in under the pressure my foot
supplies. Does anyone know anything about what it could be. I would much
rather fix it myself then pay to have someone else over charge me for labor
to fix it. I was thinking it might be the master cylender, but I hope it
isn't. Has anyone experienced this before?

Also, does anyone know where I can get some factory specs on this
car, I want to figure out what kind of gas mileage I should be getting with
it and other things.

 

This is indeed symptomatic of a failing master cylinder. See
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/tr/tr502b.htm and google for
other commentary using {sinking pedal brake symptom}.

It's really not safe to drive. Have it replaced. MC's fail.

www.fueleconomy.gov

www.edmunds.com

I average 40+ mpg with my 1.5 liter manual transmission 91
Civic, 177k miles.

 

Then you're beating the shit out of your tranny bearings, too. That's
horrendously expensive. Also you're increasing the chance of a spring
popping out of the clutch disc, which will strand you. Clutch replacements
are about $600-$800.

Learn to shift properly.

It's the master cylinder! Eventually it will go the floor all the time, so
get it fixed soon.

The MC is simple and relatively cheap to replace. Here's a tutorial:
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/mastercylinderreplace/index.html

Owner Manuals:
https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/logon.asp
(you don't have to log in for the Owner Manauls)

Mileage:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm

 

I do know how to drive properly, I just enjoy the speed and adrenalin.
I've been taking care of it really well for the 2.5 yrs I've had it too.
Thanks for the thoughts and the guide tips though...

 

master cylinder. not that expensive to replace, and easy enough to do
if you follow the procedure in the book. regular replacement of the
brake fluid helps prolong m/c life considerably.

 

You can enjoy the speed and adrenalin without banging the clutch out and
slipping it at lights. Banging and slipping is incompetence, not enjoyment.

In fact, the quickest driving is done SMOOTHLY, like winning race driver
Jackie Stewart often said.