My '03 Accord 2.4 141,000 mi.

[dblshock]

just wondering how far this can go and what to watch for going forward..I'm the original owner, change oil @7,500/15,000 oil filter I do the 3 qt. ATZ trans every 30,000, spark plugs ect..I do the basics but thats all the manual asks.

so far only unexpected expense was a oxygen sensor $140 and now I'm getting a creeking sound when cold on a right turn, doest seem to be a problem other than the weird sound.

I drive like a normal 50yr. old 50/50 hwy/city, no collisions or tickets here in Wisconsin..I dont see any corrosion. unit rides, runs and drives close to new. I need a reliable car because I drive 500mi. round trip every other w/e.

as stated above I'm just wondering how long this can go without costing me time and money on repair? couple items I'd think might have gone by now:

water pump
exhaust
axles
bearings
air conditioner

What might I expect over the next 50,000? tia.

 

[tommygunn]

I have a 2002 Accord same engine I bought 2.5 years ago with 153K miles. I am now at 212000 miles and the car runs better today than the day I bought it. It needed brakes and a windshield when I bought it and that is all I replaced plus a set of tires. I have no doubt it will do 300K and since there seems to be no deterioration in the last 65K miles I think it will easily do 400K. I went the 5W30 route for a while since I could hear the engine with PP 5W20, but I switched to Mobil Super 5000 5W20 and it purrs like a kitten! Might need a quart and a half with 7K OCI, so I still see no need for high millage oil. Every option on the car works except for the light on the clock and that was the like that when I bought it. All around the best car I have owned in the last 25 years!

 

[dblshock]

I'm sorta torn..I'd go out and buy a new TSX 2.4 or Accord but I can't believe this old Accord seems so invincible..is your exhaust OE? air?

 

[JC1]

Hi guys,

Does the 2.4 litre accord engine have a timing belt or chain? If it's got a belt it will need changing along with the water pump. I believe Honda recommends the T/B and W/P be changed every 60,000 MI(100,000 km). There was a guy in New England with a 1990 Accord that did 1,000,000 miles. My 94 Accord had 415,000 km (257,000 MI) when I got rid of it and I only did that cause I bought a Van and didn't need the extra vehicle.

Regards, JC.

 

[dblshock]

'03 it's a chain

 

[dblshock]

oh I do the coolant every 90,000...400K? really but not on the exhaust or air? right?

 

[dblshock]

and it's got a belt off to the left..looks likeit runs a alt, p/s pump maybe more..it's o/e can't go forever..150K? 200K?

 

[JC1]

The belt is the accessory belt. That can be replaced every 60,000 - 100,000 miles or even longer depending on how much highway driving you do etc.

With the chain it's supposed to last for the life of the engine. It's probably more important to change the oil frequently since that chain is sitting in oil.

What OCI and brand of oil do you use?

Regards, JC.

 

[dblshock]

I follow the manual 7.5k and 15k filter cheapest api 5/20 current 3 yr. stash of Citgo @.59 cents will be used up in 60k then I'm thinking of going to 5w30 as it's using .75 qt. between OCI's although I never see blue smoke

 

[tommygunn]

You will get tired of the car before it gets tired on you. It just runs and runs and runs.

 

[mikefxu]

160k on my 04 I4 Manual. A/C is currently not functional, stator coil, have one on hand but have only 5 minutes to work so don't really care. Center console hinge broke, cruise control button broke. Other than that really good fun car when paired with a manual.

 

[dblshock]

here in WI. I probably use the air half the time but it would be a problem without it..is 150k pretty much a upper limit for the compressor? and probably exhaust?..that fat belt that drives the p/s, air and alt...sounds like a got a bushing creeking on a cold right turn too.

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: dblshock
here in WI. I probably use the air half the time but it would be a problem without it..is 150k pretty much a upper limit for the compressor?

Shouldn't be, not on a Honda, anyway.

Originally Posted By: dblshock
and probably exhaust?

In Wisconsin, probably. I'm in the Rust Belt myself, and I get about 4-years out of OE Honda exhaust components. Much less out of aftermarket.

Originally Posted By: dblshock
..that fat belt that drives the p/s, air and alt...

The serpentine belt. The tensioner should have set of markings on it that indicate whether or not the belt is worn.

Originally Posted By: dblshock
sounds like a got a bushing creeking on a cold right turn too.

Get the lower ball-joints checked out ASAP. On a Honda, they tend to seize and snap, which is quite alarming when it happens!! Your car is a bit young for that, but have them checked anyway. The ONLY way to check properly is to pop the taper, lever the lower control-arm out of the way, and wiggle the stud with your fingers.

Wanna see what happens when a lower ball-joint breaks? I have a page for that:
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/lowerballjoint/index.html

 

[cchase]

I've been very impressed with the corrosion protection on our 2003 Accord even in the "rust belt". There is absolutely no rust on the body of the car. Even the exhaust system and brake lines are still shiny and silver. The only spot that has any rust is a few of the welds on the subframe. It is by far the most rust-free vehicle I've seen at almost 9 years old. I think (based on the piston slap) that the body is going to outlast the engine (and transmission) on this car.

If I ever want a comparison of why the Japanese are what they are today, I have only to look at the screws that hold the fender liners in. On the Accord, they are SS and look like they just got installed. In our GMC (which is 3 years newer), they are rust.

 

[dblshock]

just don't need somthing snapping north of green bay where honda dealers are 150 miles apart..probably a good idea to start by replacing the serpentine belt..that'l stop the car if it goes?

 

[dblshock]

'The serpentine belt. The tensioner should have set of markings on it that indicate whether or not the belt is worn.'

what markings am I looking for?