What to look for when buying Civic RT4WD?

vtecn8ivevtecn8ive Senior Wagonist
in General Civic Wagon Discussion
Sorry for whoring the forum, I just have a lot of questions about these vehicles.

I may possibly be purchasing a beatup 90 RT4WD this weekend for $500. Is there anything I want to look for specifically (or any options I should be on the lookout for)?

I know what to check on the motor but this is my first propellor shaft drive train and I know there a bit of differences from Sedan and Hatchback Civics.

Is there any common problems associated with RT4WD that I should be on the lookout for?

I know its a $500 car and I'm not expecting it to be perfect, but I do have to drive 300 miles back in it :)

By the way i'm located in the midwest usa.

Thanks,
Shane

Comments

  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    Make sure 4WD is engaged and then take it for a drive. Do slow take-offs going 1st, 2nd, 3rd... Then do some stops from say 35MPH down to zero. After that do a bit of a highway cruise say 60-70MPH and just have a listen.

    What you are looking for is either a bearing sound or thumping on all three runs.

    Oh and make sure it actually switches into FWD as well.

    Other than the transmission and rear diff/axles there's not a whole lot different.

    Check under each guard for rust!

    But $500... some people would beat you with a stick if they knew.
  • vtecn8ivevtecn8ive Senior Wagonist
    So if there is a thump or a bearing what could it be?

    I am looking at the RT4WD somewhat soon and it has some "clunking" noise said the owner. He is wanting 500-600 for it.

    I am planning to get it if its not to overally rusted (i know it is covered a bit, but as long as the integrity is solid then i'm fine with it).

    Then I plan to go to work on figuring out whats wrong with it. He said it has 96k on it. Somehow I'm doubtful, so i'll have to run a carfax to see if its a rolled back odometer. Reason I doubt it is the valve cover is flaky and there is a bit of oil build up on the head/block connecting area (like sludge not wet oil)
  • vtecn8ivevtecn8ive Senior Wagonist
    Also, the one i'm looking at that has the clunking noise is only 30 miles away, and it'll probably get towed to my house.
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    The clunking noise is what i was hoping you'd hear - that means one of three things. It's either one (or both) of the bushes that holds the diff or its the u-joints. And if you take a look around the drivetrain section in the quicklinks there should be info on that there.
  • vtecn8ivevtecn8ive Senior Wagonist
    turned out to be front axles, but the car was rusted to hell, and had some type of impact that made it questionable. I passed on it.

    It was $500, if I put 300 into it (some minor other work needed to be done) it would have been road worth.

    I was kinda kicking myself in the ass for not getting it but at the same time I didn't like the structural damage i saw.

    Soooo i'm still on the prowl
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