98 Civic Maintenance Question/Recommendation--Tune ups

Hi all!


I just picked up a 98 Civic EX 5-spd manual. I was looking thru the
maintenance intervals they have up there and it mentions a spark plug
replacement every 30k miles/2 yrs. There was no mention of changing the
wires, PCV valve, distributor cap, et al. I recall that whenever I asked my
mechanic for a tune up on my previous cars, he'd replace a whole bunch of
stuff. Was it unnecessary?

Further, does anyone have recommendations for a set of spark plugs (and
wires, etc., if necessary) that are superior to the stock NGK or Denso
plugs?

Thanks!


TB

 

Probably not.

No mention of distributor, wires, etc. in manual. Hmmm.. Even to
inspect them?

Spark plugs take a lot of abuse, they could have been a mess or
incorrectly gapped.. Wires can corrode, crack, etc.. They may also
be out of spec when tested for resistance. Distributor cap, rotor,
etc are all normal wear items. When I hear "tune-up" I automatically
think oil change, wires, plugs, rotor, distributor, and blow
out/replace air filter.

PCVs may be a "maintenance item" on the Honda. They probably should
be cleaned/replaced periodically, but I couldn't tell you when. A
failure can trip a whole bunch of sensors or worse (blow out seals).
They are also pretty cheap.

I do not have any other recommendations other than to stick to the
manufacturers recommendation.

__________________
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N38.6 W121.4

 

I'd say it was a good idea.

The Honda [fill in specific model] owner's manual (that comes with the car) has
a maintenance schedule that says the PCV valve, distributor cap, rotor and
ignition wiring should be inspected after such-and-such miles or such-and-such
months, whichever comes first. It's 60k miles or four years for my 1991 Civic.

My experience after 150,000 miles is that I should replace the plugs, wires,
cap, and rotor about every 30k miles or 2 years for optimal performance.

Re the PCV valve--
I just figured out this past year that a fouled PCV valve can really mess up
the engine's efficiency. I finally changed mine out after some 140k miles. The
old one was full of waxy carbon buildup and probably was barely working, if it
was working at all. The new one made a roughly 20% difference in miles per
gallon.

Now I remove the PCV valve about every other oil change (that is, about every
10k miles), inspect it, and soak it with WD-40. I'll probably buy a new one
every 60k miles.

I'm thinking of changing out the distributor ignitor and coil, too, around every
75k miles. These parts are more expensive than everything listed above, but on
the other hand, I've seen enough fail for Hondas of my vintage that I think this
may be prudent. (Others' opinions on this are welcome.)

Has anyone had a second Main Relay (for the fuel pump) fail? Was it just the
original ones installed in the circa 1990 models that were poorly made?

No. All I know is not to buy cheap plugs and preferably get the manufacturer's
recommended plugs.

 

Read more sections of the manual. It will probably say that those other
items that you mentioned should be changed at about 50,000 and 100,000
miles or something like that. Some Honda service shops at some Honda
dealerships like you to do it more often since they make more money from
their customers--Of course--they tell you they are doing it to help you.

 

spark plugs must be honda or ngk or denso
distr.cap en and wires are not common parts for honda you have to replace every
x years or km's
they are of such a quality they last very long

(i had an opel (german GM) kadett which was terrible sensitive for wires or
distr.cap)

marcel

 

I had a '90 and a '93 Mercury Sable and you'd have to replace all of that
every 12,000mi. The cap and rotor would corrode. There was no seal. Those
cars cost more to own than a BMW. I use to use aftermarket wires, plugs,
caps and rotors on my '88 Accord. The Wells cap and rotor were pieces of
crap that FAILED in a year's time due to build up and deterioration. Last
time I got a set - cap, rotor, wires, plugs, I got Honda parts from
Manchester Honda (www.manhonda.com) and they were great. The wires were
shorter and fit perfectly. The boots were sealed where the wire goes in.
That's like an army truck that can drive in water. The set improved my low
end torque so much that I had to relearn the car. If I was on dirt I'd peel
when I'd try to start off normally. Your 30,000mi. tune up should probably
include plugs, wires, distributor cap, and rotor if they aren't Honda parts
(no cap and rotor if you have an electronic ignition of course) and a valve
lash adjustment. With Honda parts, just do the valve adjustment and check
the plugs.