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Shock purchase of a V6


Andy Mc

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Hi, as per title i leapt out of my over cautious comfort zone threw in a blind bid on a car i just kept going back too and was quite shocked to win, something i've never done before! :o

I've always liked the coupe, and if i ever saw one would turn as it went by. So the coupe found itself on a list of a dozen or so cars i had set up on alerts. As you're all aware these very rarely came up, so when they did it always grabbed my attention. This one though was the colour i recall catching my eye the first time, the dark purple (don't know the official name). As its already been pointed out to me, its pretty much the colour of my other 90's coupe a Dark Burgundy Pearl VW Corrado.

So, during and after a 200 miles first drive of a car i'd only seen a picture off nerves moved over to a smooth 'wow, this is good' and when (ahem) accidentially stamped on it, that roar and surge was very impressive! But also several Q's i hope to find answers for on here as its quite a rarity as with the corrado and also my only 2nd time venturing away from the VW's so knowledge based forums like this are a god send.

The car: purple 1999 V6 115k on the clock, cream leather interior and for an 18 yr old car, in very good condition inside and out with full service history and nearly everything working, helped probably as previously owned by a Honda employee!

The questions.. (apologies admin if this is the wrong place)

The airbox is aftermarket cone stuck right down a hole and with recent damp weather is wet through! i'm a fan of originality and only subtle mods, what are people thoughts on this? i'm tempted to go back to OEM if parts are found.

Sounds like the fan is on all the time (not full speed).. is this normal?

whilst going through the manual it states the D4 should light up before ignition then go out, mine doesn't light up at all. is this a bad sign as of course it states if flashes its an autobox issue warning..eek

Alarm, previous owner states he never locked it, bit strange but he did live on a large private property. no fob with it just keys, on locking sometimes it arms the alarm sometimes it doesn't. Only when it does it goes off after about 10 mins, not great. at home not so much of an issue but parking up town where i work, not ideal to either leave it locked with alarm going off or not locked at all :wacko:

I have pics and when i figure out how to downsize them will post up asap.

Cheers Andy

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Hi - I think this is my former car - did you buy it from Simeon in Bicester?

I fitted the induction kit - I loved the sound, but that was my choice, your views are different.  A wet cone is not going to affect anything really, air filters get wet.  I probably have all the old bits somewhere, but my garage is a nightmare so don't hold your breath.

Don't recall the fan being on.

D4 bulb is out.  Nothing more.

Drivers door sometimes locks, sometimes doesn't from the blipper.  Use the key if you want to lock it.  Alarm has always been a pain - I suggest you kill it.

 

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Welcome Andy !

Another one to the fold !.......... If it is Charles old motor then loads done already to it :D

Me, I would lose the induction filter and go back to stock.........

Don't forget the pics :P

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Hi, and thanks!

Yes Charles i can confirm it is indeed the Peril.

Thanks for the fuel tip too. But firstly a trip to the audio/alarm people so i can some piece of mind with locking it.

200 miles done and just under half a tank left. But upon discovering the induction howl on the m6 may spoil that in future.

Just to clarify, did the belts get done in  the end? if not that's going to be top of the list also.

Regards

Andy

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Welcome aboard Andy! Charles has already answered many of your questions, as for the air filter/induction kit, i'm with Pete on this one, i'd go back to the standard arrangement, perhaps with a K&N direct replacement panel filter in the air box. It will be quieter and more economical with the standard set-up.

The Corrado is a nice car and if i ever was tempted to the "dark side" and wanted a VW, it would be either a Corrado or Scirocco, preferably the Scirocco, Mk1 or Mk2, not keen on the newer offerings though.

It sounds like a central locking actuator playing up on the alarm/locking front so an alarm place may not be able to help until that is sorted. Once it is there's a good chance the alarm will behave itself anyway. ;):D

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Belts not done - that would be my top priority as it's done another 6k or so miles since I sold it.

IIRC I did the engine mount, ATF change (Sim did too), fitted sound proofing and some very nice Focal speakers.  The floormats were also mine - lovely heavyweight cocomats.  Front droplinks as well.  Oh and that lovely wood/leather steering wheel.

 

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Nope not me, just a Corrado in the garage having long term fixing and bringing back to life saga and a Bora for the a daily which has suddenly found itself parked up thanks to unexpected bid. Thankfully the Honda has charmed the missus already downgrading from a "you've done what and going where?" To, "actually it is quite nice" in just a handful of drives. ;)

The only other coupe I've seen is a black one now and again heading out of town.

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12 hours ago, Laird_Scooby said:

Welcome aboard Andy! Charles has already answered many of your questions, as for the air filter/induction kit, i'm with Pete on this one, i'd go back to the standard arrangement, perhaps with a K&N direct replacement panel filter in the air box. It will be quieter and more economical with the standard set-up.

The Corrado is a nice car and if i ever was tempted to the "dark side" and wanted a VW, it would be either a Corrado or Scirocco, preferably the Scirocco, Mk1 or Mk2, not keen on the newer offerings though.

It sounds like a central locking actuator playing up on the alarm/locking front so an alarm place may not be able to help until that is sorted. Once it is there's a good chance the alarm will behave itself anyway. ;):D

Any pointers in the direction of the actuator would be great. I did see read that the alarm is circuit goes through bonnet latch and stereo, both being problematic for their own reasons aftermarket and grime. Took apart the latch best i could but gave in with the connector behind the vertical bar leading up to the slam panel. Gave the micro switch a good squirt of electrical cleaner and re-assembled.

As for the Corrado they're addictive. I wouldn't compare the two cars as despite both 90s coupes they're very different. The honda is a more refined cruiser and so much bigger, whereas a C is much more compact and nimbler. Both rare so both tick my box!

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Sounds like you've already found the actuator Andy, it will be connected to the latch somehow to lock/unlock it. Usually there are two microswitches hidden inside it that need cleaning and can cause problems with not locking, opening when locked etc.

Also check the adjustment of the boot latch and where it operates the boot light switch as they can go out of adjustment due to movement over the years and cause the boot light to come on even when the boot is shut. Besides the fact it could flatten the battery, it is likely to trigger the alarm as well. Bonnet switch is another favourite for similar reasons. ;):D

The Honda is very like what got me hooked on coupés in general originally, the C210 series Datsun Skyline, the only official UK model Skyline Coupé, all others have been saloons or imports. Learned to drive in one and have owned three, now rarer than a hens dentist but a big comfortable cruiser with all the toys and very well appointed for a 1978 car! Oh yeah, it was pillarless too! ;):D

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Sounds ok, apart from I'm fully booked this weekend, Keswick Saturday with friends and my mums 70th on Sunday, I'll be putting plenty of miles down which is normal but now I'm going to be enjoying them more.

I do partake in a few shows over the year with a couple of the inlaws vintage cars, mainly Hebden bridge which is very good and the Bronte gathering. 

Has anyone here taken the coupe to a show or is it too young yet?

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Gave the coupe a much needed wash and wax this aft and eve, oh its a big car. Swinging by my friends tomorrow to pick up a rainex product he sells as part of his professional valeting business. Gonna get a quote for body work, it seems since charles had gone over it its been scoured to pieces again. Also for the interior too. My arms killing me, its just easier to pay the man with the kit sometimes.

20170531_212737.jpg

20170531_212719.jpg

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Also for info i popped into the Honda main dealers as i was passing today to ask about timing belt quote. £215 standard price they said. And no need for water pump to be done as other manufacturers do unless its needed. 

Is this a fair price or go for an independent place?

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35 minutes ago, Andy Mc said:

Also for info i popped into the Honda main dealers as i was passing today to ask about timing belt quote. £215 standard price they said. And no need for water pump to be done as other manufacturers do unless its needed. 

Is this a fair price or go for an independent place?

Honda's fixed prices are very attractive, but in my experience with old Honda's, I wouldn't trust the pump past 120,000 miles even with evidence of coolant changes using the correct coolant. Additionally, Honda will likely charge around £200 for the pump alone if they think it requires replacing and by the time they get to that level they will still charge the standard £215 regardless. Also, the tensioner used is reusable providing its setup correctly and refitted with the special holding bracket so any other garage needs this tool along with auto data references to do the job anything like an equipped main dealer or a specialist like myself. Independent places probably wouldn't use the genuine parts either (cambelt kit) and insist on a new water pump to warranty the job, which could total to around £500. Some aftermarket belts and additional parts can create some disturbing noises after installation as they are not a 100% correct fitment.

Personally if was in your position I would drop it off at the dealer spend £215 and get yourself coupe composed, change the engine oil and filter, maybe ATF part fluid change or drop in some Lucas additive to help the gearchanges and join in the Honda 6 banter  :lol:

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I'm with Stu on this one. On the Rover version of the Legend the cam belt is a 96k interval and the water pump is a service item at 120k. However most people change the water pump at the same time, just to be on the safe side to start with as it's a repeat of the cam belt job to get at the water pump and secondly it's easier to remember - also some manufacturers won't guarantee the belt if you don't change the water pump.

IF it's a job you don't fancy doing yourself, i think i'd drive down to the west Midlands and meet Stu, cross his palm with folding stuff and get him to do the cam belt and water pump. He could also give the car a general check over for you with his in-depth knowledge of older Hondas that is never gained in a dealership where they almost always only deal with new cars. ;):D

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Cool thanks for the info. Its £100 more than I'm used to paying for timing belts or usually do them myself with aid of inlaw (40yrs of mechanics behind him) but he's never keen on me turning up with "motors he can't swing his hammer at properly"

I will be consulting him about the atf though as well as you guys as bar a few brief loans of landcruisers its my first auto so I'm not up to speed with them at all, esp the part fluid change? Also I'm conscious that it was the box on this particular car that the last two owners struggled with and contributed towards moving it on. Is it supposed to be like this or is it on a slippery slope :blush:

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On the upside Andy, i daresay most of the cam belts you're used to have a change interval of around 40k miles? It's a bit longer than that on most Hondas so you still save money in the long run.

The ATF i'd suggest for yours would be the Valvoline ATF, normally i'd say Carlube ATF-U but i think the slight extra viscosity in the Valvoline will be advantageous - either way it needs to be Honda ATFZ-1 compatible, don't use DW-1 Honda fluid, it could finish the box off!

As for the part-change, simplicity itself. On the bottom of the gearbox is a 3/8" square hole sump plug. Remove it and drain the ATF from the box. Refit and then top up from above, either through the gearbox dipstick hole or the ATF filler plug with the right quantity of ATF which if memory serves correctly is 2.6L for your box.

There are no filters as such in the box, just the mesh screens on the solenoids that control everything. It's not a conventional automatic box either, more of an electronically controlled, automatic shifting manual box. You'll find when you're on the over-run it doesn't behave like most other autos, the revs will rise periodically and then you'll feel engine braking, usually in two stages then it will go back to just the "fluid flywheel" effect of the torque converter. A second or two later the revs will rise again and so will the engine braking, again in stages

In simple terms, the electronics that control the box are sensing an over-run situation and bringing the torque converters lock-up clutch into action in two stages to improve engine braking. Quite an eery feeling when you drive another auto that doesn't have this and you've got used to having it! ;):D

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Hi Andy and welcome welcome welcome.  Mine - aka Purple Haze - is identical to yours.  B)

Mine is my daily driver and is a pleasure to drive and wants for nothing.  Personally, I would revert back to the stock air filter over a bolt on jobbie, my view is that someone at Honda designed the air filter to be as efficient as possible so why take it off and stick on something not stock?  Regarding the D4 light, it sounds like it's just the bulb as Charles mentions.  Due to our coupes getting on a bit, some of the bulbs now are deciding to give up the ghost.  No problem though, I've had the instrument cluster out loads of times although I would say watch the wires top left as the foam covering can snag but it's usually no problem.  Another top tip - when your D4 bulb is working - is to always wait for it to extinguish to ensure the injectors are well primed.  

Other than that, please ask any questions no matter how silly you think they are.  Welcome again Andy to the bestest coupe forum on the wibbly wobbly.

Beep Beep.

 

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Hi, thanks Geoff. Yes and its a great colour too!

If there is a thread or pictures of centre console removal or the cluster panel that'd be great, as I went out for a drive in the dark for the first time last night in the Honda, only half the dash was lit but that was nothing in comparison to the view out of the car the lights are quite poor so I guess an upgrade there either with wiring or bulbs will be done over the summer months at some time.

I also agree that Honda know what they are doing with regards to the airbox... but... and if others on here have heard this car, the subtle growl over 4k rpm is very, very nice indeed, if a little moreish as was evident as it easily chewed up the A roads outside Keswick at the weekend for fun.

I've put just over 700 miles since picking it up over week ago, its going to be my daily too. It's definitely a gentle sweeping mile eater, as my only criticism so far (apart from night visibility) is the lack of feel from the steering on more twisty bits. It doesn't give as much feedback as I'm used to. New tyres all round this week anyway so I'll see how that goes.

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