I have a 90 Prelude 2.0 SI with a big problem. I bought it for $2000 and put $8000 into it to fix ev

25

Asked by Solebrother34 Jan 01, 2008 at 12:54 AM about the 1990 Honda Prelude 2 Dr Si Coupe

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

everything. All kinds of stuff broke on this car. The power-steering pump, radiator, alternator, muffler, timing belt, transmission, Air conditioning system, and a few electrical compartments. I've replaced all of these peices to the car. And I know these cars are good for burning oil. And it started to make a clacking noise from the engine a few days ago when driving for a bout an hour or so. And then i realized it needed more oil, so i filled it up. I drove it the next day, and it the noise worsened and was making a banging noise and white smoke was coming out of the exhaust, and i tried to get it home, and the car just turned completely off, it had a hard time starting back up, and now won't start back up at all. So, we're guessing it either blew a head gasket, or a rod or something...we don't know. Can someone please help us out? thanks.

8 Answers

sounds like you got stuck with a lemon sorry for that.sounds like the engine is fried.

1 people found this helpful.
25

No i bought it from a private owner. It's got about 198,000 miles on it right now. I've only had it for a little over a year now. But, we still don't know what the problem is in it yet. But, i'm guessing it's a piston or rod that busted. Do you have any idea how much it would be to replace that, or even that part of the engine? Or should i get a new block?

15

honestly after you started spending more on the car than you payed for it you should have sold it. no point in spending more on a car that isn't going to be worth more than the money your putting into. I would get rid of it. get it checked out by a mechanic, a reliable one

1 people found this helpful.
15

If white smoke is coming out of the exhaust, maybe it's because the block of the engine is cracked and the prestone goes in the cylinders and burns with the fuel. If you always have to top up the water in your radiator, you just found the problem!

35

Pull the plugs out and spin it over. If water or antifreeze comes out probly a head or gasket. Think hard about the color of the smoke. Bright white is actually steam from coolant leaking into cylinder (which can lock up engines and bend rods which might have been the knock,ing sound), blueish to grey is oil and black is fuel.

1 people found this helpful.
275

Personally i'd say fugg the engine. If you've put 8000 into it already why not put in another g and a bit for a brand new engine sourced from japan? contact me for me info :P

1 people found this helpful.
1,715

I can hardly believe you've had SO many issues with this Prelude. I am sorry, bud. It sounds like your engine is entirely shot. White smoke = burning coolant, most likely a blown head gasket and even cracked head or block. But the banging noise is probably your connecting rod from your number 3 cylinder, which is notorious for B20A5's. You'll want to buy a JDM B20A and put one of those in -- do not rebuild yours unless you want to spend extra money. JDM imported engines will need a new timing belt set, water pump, cam seals, and ideally crank seals as well. It seems like you've already fixed everything else so after this engine failure I don't see what else could go so wrong with your car lol I am sorry for your bad luck but go on PreludePower.com for more info on the 3rd generation Preludes. - Jesse (89 Prelude 4ws owner)

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Prelude

Looking for a Used Prelude in your area?

CarGurus has 26 nationwide Prelude listings and the tools to find you a great deal.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

1990 Honda Prelude

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    dandyoun
    Reputation
    330
  • #2
    Tyler Siska
    Reputation
    170
  • #2
    Nick Ybarra
    Reputation
    170
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Honda Civic
1,297 Great Deals out of 26,038 listings starting at $997
Used Acura Integra
61 Great Deals out of 5,236 listings starting at $22,888
Used Honda Accord
1,522 Great Deals out of 30,102 listings starting at $1,200
Used Honda Accord Coupe
66 Great Deals out of 1,038 listings starting at $1,806
Used Chevrolet Corvette
793 Great Deals out of 14,532 listings starting at $4,999
Used Ford Mustang
947 Great Deals out of 19,852 listings starting at $1,950
Used Toyota Supra
32 Great Deals out of 594 listings starting at $35,095

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.