new car, new projects

[tha5150]

Buying this car in 4 hours...

1997 3.0 CL
136k miles

I need to figure out how to adjust the headlights. Also i am thinking of changing out the spark plugs and wires. The guy said he just changed the oil a week ago so thats not needed. Probably going to shampoo the carpets and condition the seats. This car doesnt look like it needs to be clay'd thank God. I will be giving it a nice wax job though.. Also, why wont my driver seat go forwardor backwards? only the top leans back. whats up with this????
If anyone has any advice for any of my missions, PLEASE leave comments.
Also, feel free to tell me what you think of the car.











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[tha5150]

update:

took the car to the mechanic. come to find out that the rear camber bolts are froze and i am unable to allign the rear, and there is no front toe allignment avaliable for this make and model...???

also, my fan belt is squeeking so i thought i would get some belt lube. didnt work, went back to the mechanic and he said thats the worse thing i could have done. why would he say this?

does anyone know of a fix without getting a new belt? i am worried i might have a bad melt tensioner.

thoughts anyone???

[tha5150]

how would i go about getting a recall fixed??

one more thing i found, which i very nice..

1997-1999 Acura CL Reliability


Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Automatic transmission: On V6 models, transmissions may fail due to lack of thread-locking compound on nut for low clutch. Honda/Acura has extended warranty on affected vehicles to 7 years or 100,000 miles. (1999)
Gauges: The tachometer needle fluctuates, and the "D4" light blinks due to a problem with the transmission control module (TCM) that is, in most cases, replaced under goodwill. (1997)
Mirrors: Fluttering or whistling noises come from the outside mirrors due to a faulty run channel that must be replaced. (1997)
Seat: The power seat may not move properly because the synchronizer cable comes loose from the seat. (1997)
Seat: The front passenger seat may not move forward when the access lever is pulled because the rear seat access cable comes loose. (1997)
Speedometer: The indicated speed (on the speedometer) and true speed may not jibe. Speedometers were being replaced under extended warranty. (1997)
Sunroof/moonroof: The moonroof seal may pop out when the roof is opened. (1997)
Windows: The windows rattle when partially open due to a problem with the guide pin and rear channel. (1997-98)
Windows: Power window fitting may come off end of window regulator cable causing window to quit working. (1997-98)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.
Item Name Repair Cost
A/C Compressor $775
Alternator $365
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $950
Brakes $190
Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing $715
Constant Velocity Joints $855
Exhaust System $360
Radiator $515
Shocks and/or Struts $430
Timing Chain or Belt $235
NHTSA Recall History
1997-98: Ball joints on certain cars could wear out prematurely and, in worst case, separate and cause front suspension to collapse.
1997-98: Electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current that passes through the switch at startup.
1997-99: Ignition-switch wear may lead to failure of interlock, making it possible to remove key without shifting into "Park."
1998: Irregularity in transmission cover can limit movement of parking pawl actuation lever and prevent adequate engagement; car could roll down an incline while transmission is in "Park."

[tha5150]

am i posting in the wrong section?

how come nobody replys to my questions? it makes me not want to post anymore.

dont get take this the wrong way, just curious. obviously i am new to this forum.

[duckdog]

I would guess that you would get more attention with your questions in the CL Forum.

Might want to try there.

[Moose Was Right]

Originally Posted by tha5150

update:

took the car to the mechanic. come to find out that the rear camber bolts are froze and i am unable to allign the rear, and there is no front toe allignment avaliable for this make and model...???

also, my fan belt is squeeking so i thought i would get some belt lube. didnt work, went back to the mechanic and he said thats the worse thing i could have done. why would he say this?

does anyone know of a fix without getting a new belt? i am worried i might have a bad melt tensioner.

thoughts anyone???

May not be a popular suggestion, but if you know of a good Acura dealer (or Honda for that matter)(mine is excellent), their service department may be able to help you with the items you're having trouble with. I'm not familiar with the suspension in this model (I drive a TSX)(probably similar), but I'm surprised by two things: for instance the rear camber on the TSX is not adjustable; are you sure your guy is talking about the right thing? And the front toe not being adjustable also strikes me as odd. Maybe some of the guys more familiar with the suspension can offer some advice. The dealer should be able to address the belt issue. With that many miles and being that old, I wouldn't be surprised if the car needed the belt and the tensioner, two items you probably don't want to trust too much to fate. Oh, and the car looks nice (although I wouldn't want to be washing those wheels). I also second the advice to maybe move the discussion to the CL forum; you might find a more responsive audience there.

[Ivan The Terrible]

you should put this in the 1st Gen CL forum, not DIY.

anyway, to answer some of your questions:
1. the front camber and caster is not adjustable. you can't do anything w/ the rear. i think... I'm saying this is b/c that's what the alignment place have always told me when i take the car in for alignment. so you just need to do the front end. saves you a few bucks.

2. your fan belt is making noise is b/c it's old and getting loose. a belt works by having friction between the belt and the pulley. so now you put some lube on it, guess what? you lower the friction even more. now the belt will just slip. you should've have it changed when it happened. saves you some time and a few bucks from the belt lube.

3. recall items: check w/ the technical service bulletin we have here. it's a TSB, does not mean it's a recall. some dealer will do it for good faith, but don't count on it b/c it's almost a 11 y/o car. however, if the conditions still apply for your car, you do have an extended warranty for the emission. details is posted in the TSB section. for the other recalls, they might have already been done already. call a dealer and give them your VIN #. they should be able to tell you if they've been done or not.

hope i answer your questions. keep posting.