Advice on 96 Civic pushrod problem

Hello,,,,I am not an expert on cars, so wanted a bit of advice. Took my
96 civic(117k miles) to the dealer regarding a thunking in the engine,
pretty much only when going up a very steep hill and in 2nd gear. I was
told it was probably the cv joints and/or axle. Well after a diagnostic
they said I have a bad pushrod and I can either fork out $1700 for a
pushrod that *MAY* solve the issue,,,or $2500 for a rebuilt engine. The
sound is almost like bad gas knocking but a much lower and deeper
pitch. As I said I mainly hear it going up very steep hill when
flooring it in 2nd.

Does this sound plasuible? Or are they trying to take me for a ride? I
will try to find a second opinion just thought I would ask on here if
it sounds like a pushrod.

Having the dealer do anything is at least 3x as expensive as any other
option. Find an independent shop who knows what they are doing and
also work on "foreign" cars to check it out. Ask around some friends
who have been in the area a while.

How does a push rod go bad - maybe a valve is out of adjustment - does
it get quieter when the engine warms up - any loss of power. Don't
drive it for any long trips - find that mechanic.

"planetx" > wrote in
ups.com:

> Hello,,,,I am not an expert on cars, so wanted a bit of advice. Took my
> 96 civic(117k miles) to the dealer regarding a thunking in the engine,
> pretty much only when going up a very steep hill and in 2nd gear. I was
> told it was probably the cv joints and/or axle. Well after a diagnostic
> they said I have a bad pushrod and I can either fork out $1700 for a
> pushrod that *MAY* solve the issue,,,or $2500 for a rebuilt engine. The
> sound is almost like bad gas knocking but a much lower and deeper
> pitch. As I said I mainly hear it going up very steep hill when
> flooring it in 2nd.


You have no "pushrods". Those are found in older-style engines that Honda
does not make. You do have valve lifters though, and you have a camshaft.

For that price, it's probable that they suspect a badly worn valve lifter
or camshaft, which is normally a sign of very poor maintenance for a long
time.


>
> Does this sound plasuible? Or are they trying to take me for a ride? I
> will try to find a second opinion just thought I would ask on here if
> it sounds like a pushrod.


A second opinion is desirable. Depending on the actual sound, it could well
be just spark knock (detonation). That can also cause a noise during heavy
load as you describe.

Any error codes stored? Did the dealer check the OBD-II system for codes?


--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

planetx wrote:
>
> Hello,,,,I am not an expert on cars, so wanted a bit of advice. Took my
> 96 civic(117k miles) to the dealer regarding a thunking in the engine,
> pretty much only when going up a very steep hill and in 2nd gear. I was
> told it was probably the cv joints and/or axle. Well after a diagnostic
> they said I have a bad pushrod and I can either fork out $1700 for a
> pushrod that *MAY* solve the issue,,,or $2500 for a rebuilt engine. The
> sound is almost like bad gas knocking but a much lower and deeper
> pitch. As I said I mainly hear it going up very steep hill when
> flooring it in 2nd.
>
> Does this sound plasuible? Or are they trying to take me for a ride? I
> will try to find a second opinion just thought I would ask on here if
> it sounds like a pushrod.


---------------------------------------


Get an independent mechanic to check your motor mounts. They tend to
show up when under heavy load, and because they transmit noise to the
chassis, it can be a very 'throaty' deep growl. Way cheaper than
anything your dealer dreamed up too:-)

'Curly'

I cant say for certain it gets quieter when the engine warms up. I
never have loss of power. I found a very good independent mechanic from
reading reviews and talking to some people today. I will take it to
him.

butch burton wrote:
> Having the dealer do anything is at least 3x as expensive as any other
> option. Find an independent shop who knows what they are doing and
> also work on "foreign" cars to check it out. Ask around some friends
> who have been in the area a while.
>
> How does a push rod go bad - maybe a valve is out of adjustment - does
> it get quieter when the engine warms up - any loss of power. Don't
> drive it for any long trips - find that mechanic.

Interesting....I will definitely mention that. If that is the case I
will call the dealer service shop and let them know since they try to
sell me a used engine!

I have been diligent in all my maintainance actually. Unless the dealer
screwed me on maintainance all these years?!

Almost sounds like it could be a rod knock. Are you sure he didn't say
connecting rod instead of pushrod? Someone else already pointed out
that your engine does not have pushrods.

planetx wrote:
> Hello,,,,I am not an expert on cars, so wanted a bit of advice. Took my
> 96 civic(117k miles) to the dealer regarding a thunking in the engine,
> pretty much only when going up a very steep hill and in 2nd gear. I was
> told it was probably the cv joints and/or axle. Well after a diagnostic
> they said I have a bad pushrod and I can either fork out $1700 for a
> pushrod that *MAY* solve the issue,,,or $2500 for a rebuilt engine. The
> sound is almost like bad gas knocking but a much lower and deeper
> pitch. As I said I mainly hear it going up very steep hill when
> flooring it in 2nd.
>
> Does this sound plasuible? Or are they trying to take me for a ride? I
> will try to find a second opinion just thought I would ask on here if
> it sounds like a pushrod.
>

"planetx" > wrote in
ups.com:

> I have been diligent in all my maintainance actually. Unless the dealer
> screwed me on maintainance all these years?!
>
>


No, they've probably just not diagnosed it correctly.

That they would head for the most expensive repair you could ask for says
they don't want to do the work, and are giving you a *big* estimate to
scare you off.

Find an independent who's used to fixing older cars.

--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

planetx wrote:
> Hello,,,,I am not an expert on cars, so wanted a bit of advice. Took my
> 96 civic(117k miles) to the dealer regarding a thunking in the engine,
> pretty much only when going up a very steep hill and in 2nd gear. I was
> told it was probably the cv joints and/or axle. Well after a diagnostic
> they said I have a bad pushrod and I can either fork out $1700 for a
> pushrod that *MAY* solve the issue,,,or $2500 for a rebuilt engine. The
> sound is almost like bad gas knocking but a much lower and deeper
> pitch. As I said I mainly hear it going up very steep hill when
> flooring it in 2nd.
>
> Does this sound plasuible? Or are they trying to take me for a ride? I
> will try to find a second opinion just thought I would ask on here if
> it sounds like a pushrod.
>
as has already been pointed out several times, this engine does not have
pushrods - they're probably referring the connecting rod. but even
then, the connecting rod doesn't knock, it's the bearing, and on a honda
this age/mileage, unless you have been /seriously/ neglectful of the oil
change schedule, is most unlikely to be a problem. as curley
recommends, check the motor mounts, after first finding a better mechanic.