So Many Problems, What Should I Fix First?

[Rush]

Originally Posted by inblackwell

Trip buttons are working great now. It almost feels like a new car.

That's exactly how I felt... It was so frustrating to not be able to change the trips and after I changed them, the car really acted differently...

[theaveng]

I thought about fixing my trip buttons but chose not to. The FCD button performs the exact same function (count how many miles traveled). I'm not sure why Honda designed the system to have two different trip computers. One the FCD button, and the other the trip button. Seems redundant.

[Willie Williford]

I actually think they have three. Trip A Trip B and the FCD one. I haven't had my buttons working in quite a few years so I can't remember. Trip A and B that is.

Willie

[Mario]

The FCD basically is a third trip meter, but I think it does have a good use. I reset trip B whenever I fill the tank and trip A when I go somewhere. However, if I want to see my mpg for a certain stretch of that trip A, I can reset the FCD.
Plus, the FCD button is much easier to reach while you're driving.

It's also useful if you're following directions. If they say "Go 3.4 miles and take exit X", you can reset the FCD at the beginning of that direction and you'll easily be able to see when you've gone 3.4 miles.

[inblackwell]

Just finished installing the rear motor mount. I also picked up a few new bolts/nuts as the old ones were pretty rusted. The repair didn't take long at all. Working on this car is significantly easier than any other car I've ever worked on. These repairs are going so quickly I'm beginning to think hard about my next road trip...Cali?

[Willie Williford]

Did you get the CAT nuts off?
(No pun guys)

Willie

[inblackwell]

So, I've made some significant progress with the exhaust.

Here is a picture of the lower flange on the first CAT:



It appears someone tried to weld the bolts into the holes. Not sure what the reason for this would be but there was more than just rust/corrosion going on here. I was able to cut off the welded portion with my Dremel without removing the CAT. I then punched out the bolt with a hammer and had a clean hole to work with. This eliminated (at least for now) the need to remove the first CAT from the engine block/manifold. I was actually able to remove the nut from one of the studs (block to CAT) with vise grips. The threads on the stud section underneath the nut were actually in good shape. I think the other two nuts should come off pretty easy. No need to do it right now though.

Here is a picture of the repaired section:



The Honda hardware was too expensive so I picked up the springs/bolts/etc. from True Value. Hopefully this works okay. The flexible gasket was missing as well, so I went ahead and replaced that too.

Here is a picture further down the line of the 2nd CAT flange:



The bolts were completely rusted. The nuts were either missing or ripped away due to engine vibration as a result of the bad motor mount. I replaced those bolts/nuts as well:



So my exhaust is ready to go! It's still unclear whether I will need to replace the 1st CAT and O2 sensors. I should have an idea on that in a week or so.

[Willie Williford]

Don't get the "spring" bolts to tight, or the exhaust pipe won't flex light it should. Snug without any leaks, and then maybe double nut the bolts so they don't come loose. The springs you used look like they may get weaken with the heat. Keep an eye out for loose bolts.

Excellent work and photos.

Willie

[inblackwell]

Originally Posted by Willie Williford

Don't get the "spring" bolts to tight, or the exhaust pipe won't flex light it should. Snug without any leaks, and then maybe double nut the bolts so they don't come loose. The springs you used look like they may get weaken with the heat. Keep an eye out for loose bolts.

Excellent work and photos.

Willie

Thanks Willie,

There actually is a good amount of flex in the system right now. I hadn't thought about the springs weakening. Definitely a possibility with those springs. I put lock washers on but double nutting would certainly have been better. I'll keep an eye on this repair and revisit sometime in the future.

Mitch

[inblackwell]

Here is a picture of the block to 1st CAT connection where I've only replaced one nut so far.