Engine/transmission question for 85 4X4 wagon

85wagonlady85wagonlady Band Wagon
in Engine & Drivetrain
Hello fellow wagon enthusiasts! My daily driver - 1985 Civic 4X4 wagon - is beginning to blow smoke after starting. I also hear a noise (clicking sound) that disappears when I push in the clutch pedal. The car just turned 215K miles and is otherwise running well. I still get ~30-33 mpg consistently. I took the car to my mechanic who told me I'm going to be looking at an engine rebuild and most likely a new transmission. He also recommends replacing the clutch while we're at it. I love this car and don't want to put it out to pasture. I was given a preliminary ballpark figure of $4K to do all the work. This was a "worst case scenario" according to my mechanic, but that's the best he can do not knowing what he's getting into. He has extensive experience working on these little cars, but has admittedly never worked on a wagon that is 4WD. My questions are:

1. Does this seem like a reasonable quote?

2. Would you recommend scrapping the engine/transmission and finding remanufactured units, providing they are available?

3. Any recommendations on where I might find used/guaranteed/remanufactured engines and/or transmissions?

I have considered buying a new car, but I just can't wrap my brain around $25,000 for an AWD car that gets the same mpg as my little Honda. I NEED AWD, period. We just have way too much snow where I live (Ellensburg, WA) and I commute over a pass every day.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Comments

  • rex freymondrex freymond Band Wagon
    the smoking is probably the prechamber seals alot of mechanics dont know about them you should find a old honda tech and ask their opinion pretty . it is a easy repair you dont even have to remove the head just the rocker shafts and the prechambers . i know you will get alot of replies telling you all kinds of crazy things . but trust me if you can find a honda tech that has worked on hondas for more than 15 years they will know . good luck
  • 85wagonlady85wagonlady Band Wagon
    Thanks, Rex! I will certainly pass that along to my mechanic. I'm not sure if he is what you describe, a honda tech, but he said he made his living working on early hondas when he was a young mechanic, so he seems to know what he's talking about. He loves the old Hondas. Says they're bullet proof. Any ideas on the transmission?
  • rex freymondrex freymond Band Wagon
    i would have to hear the sound but it could be the release bearing
  • 85wagonlady85wagonlady Band Wagon
    It's a light "tick,tick,tick,tick" which goes away as soon as I push in the clutch pedal. I only hear this sound when I'm in neutral with the clutch disengaged. Thanks!
  • NorthxNWagonNorthxNWagon New Wagonist
    Did you ever find our what the clicking noise was? I looked at an '85 FWD today and it had the same issue going on, although it was more of a clunk than a click, and only under acceleration, but once I depressed the clutch it went away.
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