1987 Honda Accord

I installed two new fuel filters. The auxiliary one (the front one) was very easy. The main filter (in the rear) was a huge challenge, because you have very little room to work, and those hoses are tight. But all went well. I’ll keep an eye to see if caused any leaks around the rear filter, but as far as I know, I didn’t do any damage despite all the manhandling of the hoses. I don’t want to do that one again. The power steering leak seems to have slowed considerably. I haven’t noticed any effects from the new distributor cap.

I installed a new distributor cap, and rotor. I ordered it from Manchester Honda. I’ll let you know if I notice any effect. I should probably change the plug wires, and check the gap on the plugs, or just change them, but I know the plugs are pretty new, and the wires past the resistance test, but they are still crappy wires. I noticed a small amount of oil in the distributor. It looks like it would settle down into the thing that advances/retards the timing, which seems like a stupid design. I didn’t know the distributor cap had a gasket or I would’ve ordered that and replaced it too. Oh well. On Wednesday I’ll probably install the new fuel filters I also got. I wonder if I can do it without spilling gas all over everything or starting a fire.

I added the Auto-RX to the oil, and changed the oil and filter. I used Pennzoil 10W-30 (the regular stuff) and a Bosch oil filter. I mostly consider this preventative maintenance, and just a little curiosity.

I put the old tape deck back in on the 30th. It doesn’t sound as good as the CD player. It can’t play tapes either, the belt is broken. I did fix the wiring mess although the ashtray light doesn’t work anymore, but the radio light, clock, and glove compartment light do work. I ordered some Auto-RX after giving into the hype over at BobIsTheOilGuy and hearing about Aaron’s success with it fixing a power steering fluid leak. So I put some in the power steering resevoir, and topped off the fluid level (thereby invalidating any ability to percieve any results), and went for a 30 minute drive. The steering was a lot smoother. Although when I got home the fluid level had gone back down to it’s usual half way point. I think the fluid just isn’t making it to the return hose, and never actually circulates fully throughout the system. Tomorrow I’ll add the stuff to my oil when I change the oil. I’m just hoping it will smooth things out a little, and maybe prolong the life of the car. I’m growing attached to it.

The CD player got stolen last night. I’ll be putting the old Sony tape player back in IF I can fix the wiring mess that the thieves made. Several wires got broken, and I’m not 100% sure where they all go. Fuck Boston.

Got a set of Pioneer 5-1/4″ two-way speakers for the front, they sound better than the old POS that was in there. And I replaced the Sony tape player with a Pioneer DEH-1500 CD player. It was pretty cheap, and the install went without a hitch. There’s one wire coming in from the car that didn’t get hooked up, I’m not sure what it’s for, but I think it would control the dimmer on the unit when the headlights were on, but apparently the unit doesn’t have that feature. It works well, and looks good. I miss the analog volume knob on the Sony deck though. Now I can listen to my CDs when the radio isn’t treating me well. The coolant level still needs to be topped off every month or so, but that’s a manageable leak, and it doesn’t seem to be accelerating. I noticed a little leak around the windshield on one rainy day, but it hasn’t happened since then. There is a tiny tear in the weatherstripping on the outside of the windshield. Not much else to report. I’m racking up about 40 miles a day with my new job though. And I confirm the low fuel indicator works. It comes on when there are about 2 gallons left.

Installed rear speakers. Pioneer 6-1/2″ two-way speakers. Just some cheap ones from Best Buy. The install was pretty straight forward. I had to drill about three sets of holes on the left side until I got them in the right spot, and I cut the fabric on the rear deck a little too much, but it still looks and works good.

Rotated the tires. I was doing a little too much sliding on wet roads, so now I’ve got the newer tires up front. We’ll see how that works. I may have finally fixed the loose battery tie down as well. I was going to check over the exhaust for leaks, but I forgot, so maybe next week I’ll do that

Changed the oil. I went with an STP S2808 oil filter (cheap!) which I think has a bypass valve, but I can’t really tell. I used the same Pennzoil 10W-30 High Mileage formula. It was hard to tell just how much oil I drained out, but I think it was over 3 qts, so I’m still doing good in that department. I topped off the coolant, I do seem to be losing that at a fairly slow rate. The front tires are feeling a little less grippy than I’d like, maybe I should just rotate them, the rears are in better shape. The car is still spending most of it’s time sitting. I’m thinking of making the switch from Mobil gasoline to Shell.

No known problems recently. I haven’t driven much, I’ve been busy with house projects. I’m coming up on my next oil change though.