1992 Honda Civic Repairs..
 

I am the original owner of a 1992 Honda Civic DX hatchback. Although it
is 15 years old, it only has 36,000 miles on it. It has been garaged
it's entire life in west Texas, which is pretty much a desert. The car
looks almost new.

Last month, the passenger side outside CV joint boot ruptured and I had
both half axles replaced. The driver side CV joint boot was beginning to
develop a tear and it was only a matter of time until it would have
reptured. I don't think the CV joint boots wore out from miles driven, I
think they wore out because of their age. I could be wrong.

My neighbor thinks I should replace three belts; the belt for my
alternator, the belt for my ac and the belt for my power steering and
he thinks I should replace both radiator hoses. He feels that after 15
years these items also may be worn out because of their age.

I check those items every month. I squeeze the hoses to make sure they
are not brittle or too soft. I inspect them for cracks. I inspect all
the belts for fraying or cracks. I look on the inside of the belts for
the same things.

The hoses and the belts don't appear to have aged as much the CV joint
boots. They look OK.

One other item of concern is the timing belt. Honda says to replace it
at 50,000 miles but I doubt they were planning for it to take someone
over 15 years to get to 50,000 miles.

My question is pretty simple. Which of the above items or other items on
this 15 year old, low mileage car should I be concerned about?

--
JD..

Re: 1992 Honda Civic Repairs..
 

"JD" <JD@example.invalid> wrote in message
news:%rZdi.191280$p47.155423@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>I am the original owner of a 1992 Honda Civic DX hatchback. Although it is
>15 years old, it only has 36,000 miles on it. It has been garaged it's
>entire life in west Texas, which is pretty much a desert. The car looks
>almost new.
>
> Last month, the passenger side outside CV joint boot ruptured and I had
> both half axles replaced. The driver side CV joint boot was beginning to
> develop a tear and it was only a matter of time until it would have
> reptured. I don't think the CV joint boots wore out from miles driven, I
> think they wore out because of their age. I could be wrong.
>
> My neighbor thinks I should replace three belts; the belt for my
> alternator, the belt for my ac and the belt for my power steering and
> he thinks I should replace both radiator hoses. He feels that after 15
> years these items also may be worn out because of their age.
>
> I check those items every month. I squeeze the hoses to make sure they are
> not brittle or too soft. I inspect them for cracks. I inspect all the
> belts for fraying or cracks. I look on the inside of the belts for the
> same things.
>
> The hoses and the belts don't appear to have aged as much the CV joint
> boots. They look OK.
>
> One other item of concern is the timing belt. Honda says to replace it at
> 50,000 miles but I doubt they were planning for it to take someone over 15
> years to get to 50,000 miles.
>
> My question is pretty simple. Which of the above items or other items on
> this 15 year old, low mileage car should I be concerned about?
>
> --
> JD..
>
Replace the timing belt ASAP. Even 7 years is about the limit for modern
timing belts. 15 years is over the top.

I recommend replacing the radiator hoses at least. Rubber, you know. If one
of those lets go you could lose your coolant so fast the engine could be
damaged before you can get off the road.

Mike

Re: 1992 Honda Civic Repairs..
 

"JD" <JD@example.invalid> wrote in message
news:%rZdi.191280$p47.155423@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>I am the original owner of a 1992 Honda Civic DX hatchback. Although it is
>15 years old, it only has 36,000 miles on it. It has been garaged it's
>entire life in west Texas, which is pretty much a desert. The car looks
>almost new.
>
> Last month, the passenger side outside CV joint boot ruptured and I had
> both half axles replaced. The driver side CV joint boot was beginning to
> develop a tear and it was only a matter of time until it would have
> reptured. I don't think the CV joint boots wore out from miles driven, I
> think they wore out because of their age. I could be wrong.
>
> My neighbor thinks I should replace three belts; the belt for my
> alternator, the belt for my ac and the belt for my power steering and
> he thinks I should replace both radiator hoses. He feels that after 15
> years these items also may be worn out because of their age.
>
> I check those items every month. I squeeze the hoses to make sure they are
> not brittle or too soft. I inspect them for cracks. I inspect all the
> belts for fraying or cracks. I look on the inside of the belts for the
> same things.
>
> The hoses and the belts don't appear to have aged as much the CV joint
> boots. They look OK.
>
> One other item of concern is the timing belt. Honda says to replace it at
> 50,000 miles but I doubt they were planning for it to take someone over 15
> years to get to 50,000 miles.
>
> My question is pretty simple. Which of the above items or other items on
> this 15 year old, low mileage car should I be concerned about?
>
> --
> JD..
>
Replace the timing belt ASAP. Even 7 years is about the limit for modern
timing belts. 15 years is over the top.

I recommend replacing the radiator hoses at least. Rubber, you know. If one
of those lets go you could lose your coolant so fast the engine could be
damaged before you can get off the road.

Mike

Re: 1992 Honda Civic Repairs..
 

"JD" <JD@example.invalid> wrote in message
news:%rZdi.191280$p47.155423@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>I am the original owner of a 1992 Honda Civic DX hatchback. Although it is
>15 years old, it only has 36,000 miles on it. It has been garaged it's
>entire life in west Texas, which is pretty much a desert. The car looks
>almost new.
>
> Last month, the passenger side outside CV joint boot ruptured and I had
> both half axles replaced. The driver side CV joint boot was beginning to
> develop a tear and it was only a matter of time until it would have
> reptured. I don't think the CV joint boots wore out from miles driven, I
> think they wore out because of their age. I could be wrong.
>
> My neighbor thinks I should replace three belts; the belt for my
> alternator, the belt for my ac and the belt for my power steering and
> he thinks I should replace both radiator hoses. He feels that after 15
> years these items also may be worn out because of their age.
>
> I check those items every month. I squeeze the hoses to make sure they are
> not brittle or too soft. I inspect them for cracks. I inspect all the
> belts for fraying or cracks. I look on the inside of the belts for the
> same things.
>
> The hoses and the belts don't appear to have aged as much the CV joint
> boots. They look OK.
>
> One other item of concern is the timing belt. Honda says to replace it at
> 50,000 miles but I doubt they were planning for it to take someone over 15
> years to get to 50,000 miles.
>
> My question is pretty simple. Which of the above items or other items on
> this 15 year old, low mileage car should I be concerned about?
>
> --
> JD..
>
Replace the timing belt ASAP. Even 7 years is about the limit for modern
timing belts. 15 years is over the top.

I recommend replacing the radiator hoses at least. Rubber, you know. If one
of those lets go you could lose your coolant so fast the engine could be
damaged before you can get off the road.

Mike

Re: 1992 Honda Civic Repairs..
 

Michael Pardee wrote:
> "JD" <JD@example.invalid> wrote in message
> news:%rZdi.191280$p47.155423@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>> I am the original owner of a 1992 Honda Civic DX hatchback. Although it is
>> 15 years old, it only has 36,000 miles on it. It has been garaged it's
>> entire life in west Texas, which is pretty much a desert. The car looks
>> almost new.
>>
>> Last month, the passenger side outside CV joint boot ruptured and I had
>> both half axles replaced. The driver side CV joint boot was beginning to
>> develop a tear and it was only a matter of time until it would have
>> reptured. I don't think the CV joint boots wore out from miles driven, I
>> think they wore out because of their age. I could be wrong.
>>
>> My neighbor thinks I should replace three belts; the belt for my
>> alternator, the belt for my ac and the belt for my power steering and
>> he thinks I should replace both radiator hoses. He feels that after 15
>> years these items also may be worn out because of their age.
>>
>> I check those items every month. I squeeze the hoses to make sure they are
>> not brittle or too soft. I inspect them for cracks. I inspect all the
>> belts for fraying or cracks. I look on the inside of the belts for the
>> same things.
>>
>> The hoses and the belts don't appear to have aged as much the CV joint
>> boots. They look OK.
>>
>> One other item of concern is the timing belt. Honda says to replace it at
>> 50,000 miles but I doubt they were planning for it to take someone over 15
>> years to get to 50,000 miles.
>>
>> My question is pretty simple. Which of the above items or other items on
>> this 15 year old, low mileage car should I be concerned about?
>>
>> --
>> JD..
>>
> Replace the timing belt ASAP. Even 7 years is about the limit for modern
> timing belts. 15 years is over the top.
>
> I recommend replacing the radiator hoses at least. Rubber, you know. If one
> of those lets go you could lose your coolant so fast the engine could be
> damaged before you can get off the road.
>
> Mike
>
>
>

Guess it's time to replace the timing belt. 7 years max, I'm lucky.

Doesn't one have to remove all the belts to replace the timing belt? If
that is the case then shouldn't I go ahead and have all three belts
replaced also?

What about other rubber items like brake hoses, vac hoses, etc.? The CV
boots were rubber, right?

I have basically the same questions about a 1993 Nissan Pathfinder XE V6
4WD. Would it be off topic to discuss that truck in this newsgroup? It
also has front CV joint boots. Not sure about the timing belt?

--
JD..

Re: 1992 Honda Civic Repairs..
 

Michael Pardee wrote:
> "JD" <JD@example.invalid> wrote in message
> news:%rZdi.191280$p47.155423@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>> I am the original owner of a 1992 Honda Civic DX hatchback. Although it is
>> 15 years old, it only has 36,000 miles on it. It has been garaged it's
>> entire life in west Texas, which is pretty much a desert. The car looks
>> almost new.
>>
>> Last month, the passenger side outside CV joint boot ruptured and I had
>> both half axles replaced. The driver side CV joint boot was beginning to
>> develop a tear and it was only a matter of time until it would have
>> reptured. I don't think the CV joint boots wore out from miles driven, I
>> think they wore out because of their age. I could be wrong.
>>
>> My neighbor thinks I should replace three belts; the belt for my
>> alternator, the belt for my ac and the belt for my power steering and
>> he thinks I should replace both radiator hoses. He feels that after 15
>> years these items also may be worn out because of their age.
>>
>> I check those items every month. I squeeze the hoses to make sure they are
>> not brittle or too soft. I inspect them for cracks. I inspect all the
>> belts for fraying or cracks. I look on the inside of the belts for the
>> same things.
>>
>> The hoses and the belts don't appear to have aged as much the CV joint
>> boots. They look OK.
>>
>> One other item of concern is the timing belt. Honda says to replace it at
>> 50,000 miles but I doubt they were planning for it to take someone over 15
>> years to get to 50,000 miles.
>>
>> My question is pretty simple. Which of the above items or other items on
>> this 15 year old, low mileage car should I be concerned about?
>>
>> --
>> JD..
>>
> Replace the timing belt ASAP. Even 7 years is about the limit for modern
> timing belts. 15 years is over the top.
>
> I recommend replacing the radiator hoses at least. Rubber, you know. If one
> of those lets go you could lose your coolant so fast the engine could be
> damaged before you can get off the road.
>
> Mike
>
>
>

Guess it's time to replace the timing belt. 7 years max, I'm lucky.

Doesn't one have to remove all the belts to replace the timing belt? If
that is the case then shouldn't I go ahead and have all three belts
replaced also?

What about other rubber items like brake hoses, vac hoses, etc.? The CV
boots were rubber, right?

I have basically the same questions about a 1993 Nissan Pathfinder XE V6
4WD. Would it be off topic to discuss that truck in this newsgroup? It
also has front CV joint boots. Not sure about the timing belt?

--
JD..

Re: 1992 Honda Civic Repairs..
 

Michael Pardee wrote:
> "JD" <JD@example.invalid> wrote in message
> news:%rZdi.191280$p47.155423@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>> I am the original owner of a 1992 Honda Civic DX hatchback. Although it is
>> 15 years old, it only has 36,000 miles on it. It has been garaged it's
>> entire life in west Texas, which is pretty much a desert. The car looks
>> almost new.
>>
>> Last month, the passenger side outside CV joint boot ruptured and I had
>> both half axles replaced. The driver side CV joint boot was beginning to
>> develop a tear and it was only a matter of time until it would have
>> reptured. I don't think the CV joint boots wore out from miles driven, I
>> think they wore out because of their age. I could be wrong.
>>
>> My neighbor thinks I should replace three belts; the belt for my
>> alternator, the belt for my ac and the belt for my power steering and
>> he thinks I should replace both radiator hoses. He feels that after 15
>> years these items also may be worn out because of their age.
>>
>> I check those items every month. I squeeze the hoses to make sure they are
>> not brittle or too soft. I inspect them for cracks. I inspect all the
>> belts for fraying or cracks. I look on the inside of the belts for the
>> same things.
>>
>> The hoses and the belts don't appear to have aged as much the CV joint
>> boots. They look OK.
>>
>> One other item of concern is the timing belt. Honda says to replace it at
>> 50,000 miles but I doubt they were planning for it to take someone over 15
>> years to get to 50,000 miles.
>>
>> My question is pretty simple. Which of the above items or other items on
>> this 15 year old, low mileage car should I be concerned about?
>>
>> --
>> JD..
>>
> Replace the timing belt ASAP. Even 7 years is about the limit for modern
> timing belts. 15 years is over the top.
>
> I recommend replacing the radiator hoses at least. Rubber, you know. If one
> of those lets go you could lose your coolant so fast the engine could be
> damaged before you can get off the road.
>
> Mike
>
>
>

Guess it's time to replace the timing belt. 7 years max, I'm lucky.

Doesn't one have to remove all the belts to replace the timing belt? If
that is the case then shouldn't I go ahead and have all three belts
replaced also?

What about other rubber items like brake hoses, vac hoses, etc.? The CV
boots were rubber, right?

I have basically the same questions about a 1993 Nissan Pathfinder XE V6
4WD. Would it be off topic to discuss that truck in this newsgroup? It
also has front CV joint boots. Not sure about the timing belt?

--
JD..

Re: 1992 Honda Civic Repairs..
 

"JD" <JD@example.invalid> wrote
> Michael Pardee wrote:
>> "JD" <JD@example.invalid> wrote
>>> I am the original owner of a 1992 Honda Civic DX
>>> hatchback. Although it is 15 years old, it only has
>>> 36,000 miles on it. It has been garaged it's entire life
>>> in west Texas, which is pretty much a desert. The car
>>> looks almost new.
>>>
>>> Last month, the passenger side outside CV joint boot
>>> ruptured and I had both half axles replaced. The driver
>>> side CV joint boot was beginning to develop a tear and
>>> it was only a matter of time until it would have
>>> reptured. I don't think the CV joint boots wore out from
>>> miles driven, I think they wore out because of their
>>> age. I could be wrong.
>>>
>>> My neighbor thinks I should replace three belts; the
>>> belt for my alternator, the belt for my ac and the belt
>>> for my power steering and
>>> he thinks I should replace both radiator hoses. He feels
>>> that after 15 years these items also may be worn out
>>> because of their age.
>>>
>>> I check those items every month. I squeeze the hoses to
>>> make sure they are not brittle or too soft. I inspect
>>> them for cracks. I inspect all the belts for fraying or
>>> cracks. I look on the inside of the belts for the same
>>> things.
>>>
>>> The hoses and the belts don't appear to have aged as
>>> much the CV joint boots. They look OK.
>>>
>>> One other item of concern is the timing belt. Honda says
>>> to replace it at 50,000 miles but I doubt they were
>>> planning for it to take someone over 15 years to get to
>>> 50,000 miles.
>>>
>>> My question is pretty simple. Which of the above items
>>> or other items on this 15 year old, low mileage car
>>> should I be concerned about?
>>>
>>> --
>>> JD..
>>>
>> Replace the timing belt ASAP. Even 7 years is about the
>> limit for modern timing belts. 15 years is over the top.
>>
>> I recommend replacing the radiator hoses at least.
>> Rubber, you know. If one of those lets go you could lose
>> your coolant so fast the engine could be damaged before
>> you can get off the road.
>>
>> Mike
>
> Guess it's time to replace the timing belt. 7 years max,
> I'm lucky.

Since you are the original owner, don't you still have the
owner's manual? In it is a "maintenance schedule." Chances
are it says 6 years or 90k miles (whichever comes first) is
the frequency for the timing belt. I am the original owner
of a 1991 Civic LX with 195k miles on it. I know its
maintenance schedule well.

> Doesn't one have to remove all the belts to replace the
> timing belt?

Yes, so it is indeed a good time to replace the PS,
alternator, and A/C belts if they have never been replaced
before. Though if the TB does not need replacement, then the
other three belts are not hard to replace.

I would say the alternator belt is the most critical one,
since an old belt might stress the alternator and so reduce
its life. An online source I was reading a few months ago
said alternator belts should be replaced about every 3-4
years.

> If that is the case then shouldn't I go ahead and have all
> three belts replaced also?
>
> What about other rubber items like brake hoses, vac hoses,
> etc.?

I would just inspect them and the radiator hoses. I have not
replaced the brake or vac hoses on my 91 Civic. I think some
of the radiator hoses were replaced when a dealership messed
up a minor repair and ended up installing a new radiator, no
charge.

> The CV boots were rubber, right?

Yes, and age in years will do them in as well as miles, as
it sounds like you suspect. Also, CV boot materials have
improved in the last decade+, so the new ones should last
even longer.

Also, when discussing your Honda's needs, it's helpful to
note whether those 36k miles were put on it via city driving
or highway driving or somewhere in between. (Though I gather
in West Texas, we're not talking a lot of city driving... )
For your reference, if it was city driving, then while the
car's wheels etc. have low miles, because the engine was
idling at stoplights over its life, engine parts (including
all belts mentioned so far) have proportionally many more
"engine RPM" on them.

> I have basically the same questions about a 1993 Nissan
> Pathfinder XE V6 4WD. Would it be off topic to discuss
> that truck in this newsgroup?

People do discuss other makes of vehicles here from time to
time. Some folks may respond. You might check to see if
there's a Nissan group, though.

> It also has front CV joint boots. Not sure about the
> timing belt?

From snooping around on the net, it appears the Pathfinder's
belt is well overdue as well. I could not find the exact
interval, just references to newer Pathfinders and older
Nissans in general indicate the 1993 Pathfinder's belt was
due /at least/ after seven years. The Pathfinder does have
an interference engine (so does your Honda), so replacing
the TB per the recommended interval is important.

Re: 1992 Honda Civic Repairs..
 

"JD" <JD@example.invalid> wrote
> Michael Pardee wrote:
>> "JD" <JD@example.invalid> wrote
>>> I am the original owner of a 1992 Honda Civic DX
>>> hatchback. Although it is 15 years old, it only has
>>> 36,000 miles on it. It has been garaged it's entire life
>>> in west Texas, which is pretty much a desert. The car
>>> looks almost new.
>>>
>>> Last month, the passenger side outside CV joint boot
>>> ruptured and I had both half axles replaced. The driver
>>> side CV joint boot was beginning to develop a tear and
>>> it was only a matter of time until it would have
>>> reptured. I don't think the CV joint boots wore out from
>>> miles driven, I think they wore out because of their
>>> age. I could be wrong.
>>>
>>> My neighbor thinks I should replace three belts; the
>>> belt for my alternator, the belt for my ac and the belt
>>> for my power steering and
>>> he thinks I should replace both radiator hoses. He feels
>>> that after 15 years these items also may be worn out
>>> because of their age.
>>>
>>> I check those items every month. I squeeze the hoses to
>>> make sure they are not brittle or too soft. I inspect
>>> them for cracks. I inspect all the belts for fraying or
>>> cracks. I look on the inside of the belts for the same
>>> things.
>>>
>>> The hoses and the belts don't appear to have aged as
>>> much the CV joint boots. They look OK.
>>>
>>> One other item of concern is the timing belt. Honda says
>>> to replace it at 50,000 miles but I doubt they were
>>> planning for it to take someone over 15 years to get to
>>> 50,000 miles.
>>>
>>> My question is pretty simple. Which of the above items
>>> or other items on this 15 year old, low mileage car
>>> should I be concerned about?
>>>
>>> --
>>> JD..
>>>
>> Replace the timing belt ASAP. Even 7 years is about the
>> limit for modern timing belts. 15 years is over the top.
>>
>> I recommend replacing the radiator hoses at least.
>> Rubber, you know. If one of those lets go you could lose
>> your coolant so fast the engine could be damaged before
>> you can get off the road.
>>
>> Mike
>
> Guess it's time to replace the timing belt. 7 years max,
> I'm lucky.

Since you are the original owner, don't you still have the
owner's manual? In it is a "maintenance schedule." Chances
are it says 6 years or 90k miles (whichever comes first) is
the frequency for the timing belt. I am the original owner
of a 1991 Civic LX with 195k miles on it. I know its
maintenance schedule well.

> Doesn't one have to remove all the belts to replace the
> timing belt?

Yes, so it is indeed a good time to replace the PS,
alternator, and A/C belts if they have never been replaced
before. Though if the TB does not need replacement, then the
other three belts are not hard to replace.

I would say the alternator belt is the most critical one,
since an old belt might stress the alternator and so reduce
its life. An online source I was reading a few months ago
said alternator belts should be replaced about every 3-4
years.

> If that is the case then shouldn't I go ahead and have all
> three belts replaced also?
>
> What about other rubber items like brake hoses, vac hoses,
> etc.?

I would just inspect them and the radiator hoses. I have not
replaced the brake or vac hoses on my 91 Civic. I think some
of the radiator hoses were replaced when a dealership messed
up a minor repair and ended up installing a new radiator, no
charge.

> The CV boots were rubber, right?

Yes, and age in years will do them in as well as miles, as
it sounds like you suspect. Also, CV boot materials have
improved in the last decade+, so the new ones should last
even longer.

Also, when discussing your Honda's needs, it's helpful to
note whether those 36k miles were put on it via city driving
or highway driving or somewhere in between. (Though I gather
in West Texas, we're not talking a lot of city driving... )
For your reference, if it was city driving, then while the
car's wheels etc. have low miles, because the engine was
idling at stoplights over its life, engine parts (including
all belts mentioned so far) have proportionally many more
"engine RPM" on them.

> I have basically the same questions about a 1993 Nissan
> Pathfinder XE V6 4WD. Would it be off topic to discuss
> that truck in this newsgroup?

People do discuss other makes of vehicles here from time to
time. Some folks may respond. You might check to see if
there's a Nissan group, though.

> It also has front CV joint boots. Not sure about the
> timing belt?

From snooping around on the net, it appears the Pathfinder's
belt is well overdue as well. I could not find the exact
interval, just references to newer Pathfinders and older
Nissans in general indicate the 1993 Pathfinder's belt was
due /at least/ after seven years. The Pathfinder does have
an interference engine (so does your Honda), so replacing
the TB per the recommended interval is important.

Re: 1992 Honda Civic Repairs..
 

"JD" <JD@example.invalid> wrote
> Michael Pardee wrote:
>> "JD" <JD@example.invalid> wrote
>>> I am the original owner of a 1992 Honda Civic DX
>>> hatchback. Although it is 15 years old, it only has
>>> 36,000 miles on it. It has been garaged it's entire life
>>> in west Texas, which is pretty much a desert. The car
>>> looks almost new.
>>>
>>> Last month, the passenger side outside CV joint boot
>>> ruptured and I had both half axles replaced. The driver
>>> side CV joint boot was beginning to develop a tear and
>>> it was only a matter of time until it would have
>>> reptured. I don't think the CV joint boots wore out from
>>> miles driven, I think they wore out because of their
>>> age. I could be wrong.
>>>
>>> My neighbor thinks I should replace three belts; the
>>> belt for my alternator, the belt for my ac and the belt
>>> for my power steering and
>>> he thinks I should replace both radiator hoses. He feels
>>> that after 15 years these items also may be worn out
>>> because of their age.
>>>
>>> I check those items every month. I squeeze the hoses to
>>> make sure they are not brittle or too soft. I inspect
>>> them for cracks. I inspect all the belts for fraying or
>>> cracks. I look on the inside of the belts for the same
>>> things.
>>>
>>> The hoses and the belts don't appear to have aged as
>>> much the CV joint boots. They look OK.
>>>
>>> One other item of concern is the timing belt. Honda says
>>> to replace it at 50,000 miles but I doubt they were
>>> planning for it to take someone over 15 years to get to
>>> 50,000 miles.
>>>
>>> My question is pretty simple. Which of the above items
>>> or other items on this 15 year old, low mileage car
>>> should I be concerned about?
>>>
>>> --
>>> JD..
>>>
>> Replace the timing belt ASAP. Even 7 years is about the
>> limit for modern timing belts. 15 years is over the top.
>>
>> I recommend replacing the radiator hoses at least.
>> Rubber, you know. If one of those lets go you could lose
>> your coolant so fast the engine could be damaged before
>> you can get off the road.
>>
>> Mike
>
> Guess it's time to replace the timing belt. 7 years max,
> I'm lucky.

Since you are the original owner, don't you still have the
owner's manual? In it is a "maintenance schedule." Chances
are it says 6 years or 90k miles (whichever comes first) is
the frequency for the timing belt. I am the original owner
of a 1991 Civic LX with 195k miles on it. I know its
maintenance schedule well.

> Doesn't one have to remove all the belts to replace the
> timing belt?

Yes, so it is indeed a good time to replace the PS,
alternator, and A/C belts if they have never been replaced
before. Though if the TB does not need replacement, then the
other three belts are not hard to replace.

I would say the alternator belt is the most critical one,
since an old belt might stress the alternator and so reduce
its life. An online source I was reading a few months ago
said alternator belts should be replaced about every 3-4
years.

> If that is the case then shouldn't I go ahead and have all
> three belts replaced also?
>
> What about other rubber items like brake hoses, vac hoses,
> etc.?

I would just inspect them and the radiator hoses. I have not
replaced the brake or vac hoses on my 91 Civic. I think some
of the radiator hoses were replaced when a dealership messed
up a minor repair and ended up installing a new radiator, no
charge.

> The CV boots were rubber, right?

Yes, and age in years will do them in as well as miles, as
it sounds like you suspect. Also, CV boot materials have
improved in the last decade+, so the new ones should last
even longer.

Also, when discussing your Honda's needs, it's helpful to
note whether those 36k miles were put on it via city driving
or highway driving or somewhere in between. (Though I gather
in West Texas, we're not talking a lot of city driving... )
For your reference, if it was city driving, then while the
car's wheels etc. have low miles, because the engine was
idling at stoplights over its life, engine parts (including
all belts mentioned so far) have proportionally many more
"engine RPM" on them.

> I have basically the same questions about a 1993 Nissan
> Pathfinder XE V6 4WD. Would it be off topic to discuss
> that truck in this newsgroup?

People do discuss other makes of vehicles here from time to
time. Some folks may respond. You might check to see if
there's a Nissan group, though.

> It also has front CV joint boots. Not sure about the
> timing belt?

From snooping around on the net, it appears the Pathfinder's
belt is well overdue as well. I could not find the exact
interval, just references to newer Pathfinders and older
Nissans in general indicate the 1993 Pathfinder's belt was
due /at least/ after seven years. The Pathfinder does have
an interference engine (so does your Honda), so replacing
the TB per the recommended interval is important.

Re: 1992 Honda Civic Repairs..
 

JD wrote:

> I am the original owner of a 1992 Honda Civic DX hatchback. Although it
> is 15 years old, it only has 36,000 miles on it. It has been garaged
> it's entire life in west Texas, which is pretty much a desert. The car
> looks almost new.
>
> Last month, the passenger side outside CV joint boot ruptured and I had
> both half axles replaced. The driver side CV joint boot was beginning to
> develop a tear and it was only a matter of time until it would have
> reptured. I don't think the CV joint boots wore out from miles driven, I
> think they wore out because of their age. I could be wrong.
>
> My neighbor thinks I should replace three belts; the belt for my
> alternator, the belt for my ac and the belt for my power steering and
> he thinks I should replace both radiator hoses. He feels that after 15
> years these items also may be worn out because of their age.
>
> I check those items every month. I squeeze the hoses to make sure they
> are not brittle or too soft. I inspect them for cracks. I inspect all
> the belts for fraying or cracks. I look on the inside of the belts for
> the same things.
>
> The hoses and the belts don't appear to have aged as much the CV joint
> boots. They look OK.
>
> One other item of concern is the timing belt. Honda says to replace it
> at 50,000 miles but I doubt they were planning for it to take someone
> over 15 years to get to 50,000 miles.
>
> My question is pretty simple. Which of the above items or other items on
> this 15 year old, low mileage car should I be concerned about?
>

Honda gives you a time and mileage for everything. Belts and hoses are very
susceptible to wear from time. I would have all of the hoses and belts
replaced. Also, regardless of low mileage, be sure to change oil on a
beast that old at least every 6 months.

And remember, that dry desert heat makes your wear on rubber even worse.

Re: 1992 Honda Civic Repairs..
 

JD wrote:

> I am the original owner of a 1992 Honda Civic DX hatchback. Although it
> is 15 years old, it only has 36,000 miles on it. It has been garaged
> it's entire life in west Texas, which is pretty much a desert. The car
> looks almost new.
>
> Last month, the passenger side outside CV joint boot ruptured and I had
> both half axles replaced. The driver side CV joint boot was beginning to
> develop a tear and it was only a matter of time until it would have
> reptured. I don't think the CV joint boots wore out from miles driven, I
> think they wore out because of their age. I could be wrong.
>
> My neighbor thinks I should replace three belts; the belt for my
> alternator, the belt for my ac and the belt for my power steering and
> he thinks I should replace both radiator hoses. He feels that after 15
> years these items also may be worn out because of their age.
>
> I check those items every month. I squeeze the hoses to make sure they
> are not brittle or too soft. I inspect them for cracks. I inspect all
> the belts for fraying or cracks. I look on the inside of the belts for
> the same things.
>
> The hoses and the belts don't appear to have aged as much the CV joint
> boots. They look OK.
>
> One other item of concern is the timing belt. Honda says to replace it
> at 50,000 miles but I doubt they were planning for it to take someone
> over 15 years to get to 50,000 miles.
>
> My question is pretty simple. Which of the above items or other items on
> this 15 year old, low mileage car should I be concerned about?
>

Honda gives you a time and mileage for everything. Belts and hoses are very
susceptible to wear from time. I would have all of the hoses and belts
replaced. Also, regardless of low mileage, be sure to change oil on a
beast that old at least every 6 months.

And remember, that dry desert heat makes your wear on rubber even worse.

Re: 1992 Honda Civic Repairs..
 

JD wrote:

> I am the original owner of a 1992 Honda Civic DX hatchback. Although it
> is 15 years old, it only has 36,000 miles on it. It has been garaged
> it's entire life in west Texas, which is pretty much a desert. The car
> looks almost new.
>
> Last month, the passenger side outside CV joint boot ruptured and I had
> both half axles replaced. The driver side CV joint boot was beginning to
> develop a tear and it was only a matter of time until it would have
> reptured. I don't think the CV joint boots wore out from miles driven, I
> think they wore out because of their age. I could be wrong.
>
> My neighbor thinks I should replace three belts; the belt for my
> alternator, the belt for my ac and the belt for my power steering and
> he thinks I should replace both radiator hoses. He feels that after 15
> years these items also may be worn out because of their age.
>
> I check those items every month. I squeeze the hoses to make sure they
> are not brittle or too soft. I inspect them for cracks. I inspect all
> the belts for fraying or cracks. I look on the inside of the belts for
> the same things.
>
> The hoses and the belts don't appear to have aged as much the CV joint
> boots. They look OK.
>
> One other item of concern is the timing belt. Honda says to replace it
> at 50,000 miles but I doubt they were planning for it to take someone
> over 15 years to get to 50,000 miles.
>
> My question is pretty simple. Which of the above items or other items on
> this 15 year old, low mileage car should I be concerned about?
>

Honda gives you a time and mileage for everything. Belts and hoses are very
susceptible to wear from time. I would have all of the hoses and belts
replaced. Also, regardless of low mileage, be sure to change oil on a
beast that old at least every 6 months.

And remember, that dry desert heat makes your wear on rubber even worse.

Re: 1992 Honda Civic Repairs..
 

> Honda gives you a time and mileage for everything. Belts and hoses are very
> susceptible to wear from time. I would have all of the hoses and belts
> replaced. Also, regardless of low mileage, be sure to change oil on a
> beast that old at least every 6 months.
>
> And remember, that dry desert heat makes your wear on rubber even worse.

Just remember that it was Honda's belts and hoses that lasted this
long. The belts and hoses that you get at the dealership will be a
better quality than the stuff that you will get at Kragen or Autozone.

Re: 1992 Honda Civic Repairs..
 

> Honda gives you a time and mileage for everything. Belts and hoses are very
> susceptible to wear from time. I would have all of the hoses and belts
> replaced. Also, regardless of low mileage, be sure to change oil on a
> beast that old at least every 6 months.
>
> And remember, that dry desert heat makes your wear on rubber even worse.

Just remember that it was Honda's belts and hoses that lasted this
long. The belts and hoses that you get at the dealership will be a
better quality than the stuff that you will get at Kragen or Autozone.