As others have wondered...keep my Prelude?

I'm the original owner of a '90 2.05si ALB 'Lude. I've really liked
this car, but as of late last year a lot of things started happening,
some small, some not so small. There's 143,000 miles on it. The A/C
needs replacing as the compressor has quit, the ABS (ALB) is likely
starting to lose pressure as the charging pump runs every 30 seconds
or so for about 5-10 seconds, I think there's now a timing belt
tensioner issue, the master cylinder went, the clutch master cylinder
is acting like the seals are going, I had to replace a cooling fan, a
speed sensor, the power antenna, and the blower motor brushes
(fortunately although Honda makes you believe you need a new blower
motor for $300 I was able to come up with compatible brushes and
install them myself for about $20). I also need to add oil every 1500
- 2000 miles, I think there's a leak down below, no burning.

The body is excellent, only minor imprefections, and the interior is
close to perfect.

But....I can easily drop $2400 just to replace the A/C and overhaul
the ABS, then what's next?

Starting to wonder what steps to take.....

 

don't repair the ac. the car is 15 y old. personally that would be the
least of my worries.

I have a 95 del sol vtec with 175km. AC didn't work when i bought it.
(Jan. 04) I was going to get it repaired, but man am i glad i didn't.
It certainly would have been expensive, but I've NEVER complained this
entire summer that I felt too hot. with the money i saved on that I
replaced the timing belt & pump, valve adjustment, new rad, flushed
tranny, ps flushed <- like budda now!, bled brakes, rotated tires and
countless other things. THOSE are important maintenance items for the
wellbeing of your car.

and i did everything myself. valve lash was easy but a little tricky
until you get the right feel with the gauge. took me 3 tries until i
got it right 100%.

good luck

 

I also had a '90SI ALB lude until I bought a '99. If you're getting
1500-2000 miles on a half qt or even full qt of oil, consider yourself
lucky. That engine has the early version of FRM (fiber reinforced metal)
cylinder linings. Many of those engines started using lots of oil at
100,000+ miles. Mine started using more at about 125,000, but was quite
variable (sometimes 1/2 qt at 400 miles, sometimes 1/2 qt at 1000). And,
you couldn't detect any smoke from the exhaust and it would pass emission
tests fine, so the cat was still doing its job.

After I sold the car, I heard the ABS died-not sure of the cause.

As far as the AC, are you sure it's the compressor? There's a well known
Service Bulletin (90-019, July 27, 1990) about a failing pickup sensor which
compares the compressor rpm to engine rpm to detect a frozen compressor
shaft, etc. and disables the relays to the compressor clutch. Affects
Sanden compressors in 90 Prelude SIs up to VIN JHMBA4...LC026715. If the
compressor runs for even a few seconds, can you turn the AC dash switch
off/on and make it run at all again? If so, it could be the pickup sensor.
It lets you do this cycling 3 times, then illuminates the faint red LED in
the AC dash switch indicating a failure. My local dealer claimed it was the
compressor ("Look at the dirt on the compressor caused by a slow leak of
Freon" and wanted to replace the compressor.) All it took was $5.00 in
parts from Radio Shack and some troubleshooting with a voltmeter and the
Service Manual to come up with a simple replacement circuit to get around
that failed sensor (located on the compressor, near the thermal protector
switch). AC ran great for the next 2 years that I had the car.

It was a fun car, did everything I wanted it to, but it was time after 9
years and 132,401.2 miles to let her go. I think you're at that point too.

J.

 

I had a shop that's done work for me for many years do a system
pressure test on the A/C. They said the compressor is leaking. I was
also detecting an odd smell out of the system. Not knowing what freon
smells like, it may have been that as it was losing pressure.

Interesting fact about the oil consumption.

I think my timing issue may be a noisy tensioner, possible causing the
belt to become more slack than it should.

It *has* been a fun car, but I could be at a point where I can
consider other options.....if an issue at work gets resolved and
things are stable again (the management is trying to correct some bad
past business deals). I also have a truck that intend to keep no
matter what. It's a 4wd that I take on some intense off road trails;
that requires cash flow for modifications (I have more I want to do!)
and the occasional replacement part (we don't like to break on the
trail!).

I've looked at KBB for value of the 'Lude, but it's tough for me to be
sure based on the repairs it ultimately needs. Any educated guesses
what it's worth given those facts? It helps me keep in mind what I may
do...

 

check ebay, check local papers... see how much they go for in your area
and price accordingly.

 

Oh, sure, I do that, too. Although not so much regarding eBay. The
interesting thing is that I rarely see any Preludes in the paper here,
let alone 1990. Could make them of interest to potential buyers with
the car being much scarcer than say an Accord. I know that when I had
tire work done a year or so ago, one of the guys working there wanted
to buy it from me right then.

 

Well, a minor update. I'm having the timimg belt done this week. The
noises and timing jitters appear likely to be due to a failing
tensioner. Even if I decide to sell the 'Lude it's better to sell it
with that belt in new condition! More cash into the beast, I guess...