3rd Generation Prelude Help

[David]

Hi Guys im new to this forum, i've owned a prelude for about a month and a bit, got a sweet deal level swop for a 1992 toyota corolla, i now have a 3rd Generation 1990 Prelude 2.0i PGM-Fi, i currently have a few minor issues that i'd like to get sorted, firstly and most importantly is a steering concern, there is a very noticible vibration when steering either left or right at low speeds, it is not only when the steering is turned full but throughout the left and right spectrum, this vibration appears to originate from under the hood, i can only guess it could be the power steering pump or possibly something up with the steering rack or columb, the power steering belt has recently been replaced. if any of you guys have a similar problem or suggestion please do reply, another minor issue is a leak in the roof where the front windsreen meets the body, is there an interior trim that could be missing or is it possible to patch this up with some car silicone? Also the casing where my air filter is in is not an air tight container as a washer and seal is missing and two screws which are no longer able to screw in with no tread is this a major issue or not, i would not imagine it to be a problem as the airfilter is secured on with a hose clamp on the air intake hose. And Finaly after a bit of driving around, once the car is parked and off, there is a noise that sounds like water boiling under the hood, i can only imagine this to be the radiator, possibly either the anti-freeze water ratio or radiator fan not working?

Any help with theses few problems would be really appreciated.

Despite all these minor hassles i havent yet had a days problem and it is the best car i have ever driving considering its age, the car was fully service at honda two weeks before i bought it so all the honda fluids and tuning makes for great smooth ride.

Thanks Again

[spiffyguido]

Hi, David. Welcome to PreludeDriver.com. We're happy to have you here. Congratulations on your purchase of a Honda Prelude, you won't be dissapointed.

The vibration you are encountering when steering at slow speed is likely either due to your power steering system or your cv joints. Since you mentioned that the problem exists at all ranges of steering, I'm leaning towards something with your power steering pump. If you CV joints were bad, you would hear a knocking sound coming from your wheel(s). Do you? At low speed, the power steering pump has to work hard to turn the wheels, so it's possible that the vibration is just the pump working. More likely still is that the pump load is causing your engine rpms to drop slightly and the engine is vibrating the car. You engine will vibrate the whole vehicle quite nicely if it ever drops below about 700 rpm. Do you think this might be the case? If so, check your idle. You car should idle at about 750-800 rpm when parked and engine warm.

The leak around your windscreen is likely just some bad sealant. Try to locate the leak, and plug it up with some window sealer. Be careful if you have to remove the trim around the window to do this. The trim pieces do come off, but the clips are very hard to operate and expensive to replace if broken.

Don't worry about your air filter. It will be fine as long as the filter itself is secured on the intake pipe.

Is your engine running really hot? It sounds like you may have a little bit of water boiling in your radiator. Check to make sure that your coolant is topped up and that the engine isn't getting too hot when you're driving around. A fan should come on to cool the vehicle after it is shut off and when the engine gets hot (such as idling parked for a while). Does your fan ever come on?

Please let us know more info about the above, and we'll help you out.

[David]

Hey, thanks for the speedy response its great to have found this site for support, ok lets see...there is no knocking sound from the wheels, i doubt the vibration is actually from the idle rpms dropping, i know low rpm's would vibrate and usually shake the entire vehicle, but my idle speeds remain constant while steering or turning on the aircon etc. i had a friend over a couple of minutes ago that works for a garage that does wheel alignment, balancing, tires and the like, he took a look at the car but since he is only experienced in mainly under chassis problems he could only suggest either very poor wheel alignment and balancing and possibly CV's. i dont experience any uneven, wobly, or high speed instability, so i doubt it is any of those. i am taking the car in tommorow for this guy to have a look for any signs of damage under the vehicle.

with regards to the radiator fan i haven't actually heard it go on, what is the best manner to test this? i know normally that your radiator fan should come on during repeated stopping and starting or if the car is left idling but i have not yet done this.
i assume this may be the temperator sensor. i hope there are non-expensive solutions as the Honda dealers here in South Africa are almost unnaffordable well at least for me just starting out, and its difficult to even find a prelude at a scrap yard, funny thing is thats what drew me to this car-not everyone has one, and its a honda, and gotta love the sporty front end of the car.

one last question: i have the standard 2.0i 16 PGM-Fi Prelude i was wondering what are all the factors involved in calculating how much fuel is actually injected, i dont have the oxygen sensors on the exhaust manifold, i read up how it takes engine temperature, compression, oil readings in order to calculate the fuel/air mixture

Thanks again for your help.
i may become a major irritation with many of my concerns.

haha

[spiffyguido]

David,

To test the radiator fan, I would just let your car warm up while parked and see if it ever comes on. It should. If not, let us know and we'll look into the temperature sensor. Mine usually comes on after I shut the car off as well, but not always.

PGM-FI considers factors from almost all of the engine sensors when deciding the fuel mixture. The major ones are the Coolant Temp Sensor, Oxygen Sensor, Throttle Position Sensor and MAP Sensor. Are you having a fuel delivery problem? Is your ECU throwing an error code?

[David]

Hey man well no problems with the system was just out of curiosity:) but thanks. Well i tested out the fan... Let the car idle for about 15 minutes and no fan. What steps should i go through to troubleshoot this problem? Will let you know about the steering though. Thanks again

[David]

Ps. No error codes on ecu just one short blink when i switch the car on. I assume this is normal.

[spiffyguido]

Hey man well no problems with the system was just out of curiosity:) but thanks. Well i tested out the fan... Let the car idle for about 15 minutes and no fan. What steps should i go through to troubleshoot this problem? Will let you know about the steering though. Thanks again

There's a sensor on the bottom of your radiator on the passenger side. This senses the temperature in the radiator itself and is used to trigger the fan. Check the wiring, and make sure the sensor looks good.

You also have a relay in your main relay box under the hood. I think it's labeled 'Fan Relay', or something like that. If either the sensor or the relay are bad, the radiator fan won't come on.

[David]

Hey thanks, i had a look at the relay box under the hood and the fan relay was missing, i went to Honda today and managed to get the part, it was about $41.70- dam rip off iif you ask me. it now works perfectly, doubt i'll have anymore antifreeze boil, and the fan also goes on even when the engine is off and the keys out. thanks for all your help so far. I will update you more as i have the power steering issue seen to.

Thanks Again

[spiffyguido]

Glad to hear that all is working now.

I know the relays can be expensive. Cars can be an expensive hobby sometimes.

One thing that I've found helpful is to try to get some parts at an autowrecker whenever I can. Many areas have these, and it is a great way to save a lot of money on parts. Things like relays, alternators, engine parts and the like can often be found in good shape at a wrecker for a fraction of the cost. Just something to keep in mind.

Great work on your car!

[David]

Thanks think im gonna learn alot more about cars with this baby. everything is still stock on this car, the exhaust is still the same eshaust as the one on the car when it was purchased and still sounding great! Only trouble with our autowreck shops is finding one with a prelude or prelude parts, just gotta keep checking! saw a beautiful 4th gen Prelude while i was at honda although still prefer the 3rd gen.

You stay in canada right?
What's it like there? i have an opportunity to move there but still so unsure

Thanks again.

[spiffyguido]

You stay in canada right?
What's it like there? i have an opportunity to move there but still so unsure

Thanks again.

Yes, I'm Canadian. Canada is a fantastic country, and very diverse. Where are you from, and what part of Canada were you thinking of coming to?

[David]

Hey, well im from South Africa, my uncle stays in Toronto and has been there for about 10 years, my mother went over about two months ago and i must say some of the photo's i saw and the scenery-dam you guys are lucky, very big wide open spaces and beautiful colors and surroundings to fill them, almost has an alaska feel to it, ok i know thats outdoors and in nature, but even your cities and towns are beuatifully kept and clean. think i may definately come over although i first have to move over to the UK so i can get a European Union passport and then i can move to canada, my mother has already moved to UK to get things rolling im still deciding, it also depends alot on opportunity there, our chances in South africa are getting slimmer and slimmer of making a good life for yourself, even though im sure most can make it just fine, we may have to just see what the future holds.

[David]

Ok dont laugh i found the power steering fluid low that vibration is still present but has been reduced by about 70 % i did not use original honda fluid so that may be the problem since they urge u to only use honda power steering fluid. Thanks aot.

[spiffyguido]

Sounds like you've found the source of your troubles. It's possible that the remaining difficulties that the power steering pump is having are due to either it being worn out or run for a while without adequate fluid.

[David]

Hey man!

gotta trouble you again, ive recently discovered my fuel warning light is not working, im driving around with a bottle of fuel incase i run out just to empty the tank to see if it ever does turn on, i do realise it could be a bulb or LED or fuse or the fuel sensor, but what is the best place to start DIY troubleshooting?
Regards