Piston Slap: The Project Car Beckons?

by Sajeev Mehta

Updated: May 16th, 2014 Published: September 19th, 2012

Sam writes:

Dear Sajeev,

I am an aspiring shade-tree mechanic and I’m itchy to do some work on cars. Unfortunately, I own a 2006 Acura TSX, that needs basically nothing. Changing my oil twice a year isn’t enough for me so I need something else to work on.

My dad owns a 2002 Honda Accord V6 with 175k miles. Out of boredom, I recently changed his spark plugs. He was still on the original plugs. I also changed his transmission fluid (it was dark). I also had to change the transmission fluid line that goes to the radiator because it had rusted and started a slow leak, which was fun. I’m thinking the next project will be to do a valve adjustment (also never done). The engine doesn’t seem to idle with noise, so I’m not sure how necessary a valve adjustment is. I’m wondering if you think I should do this or if have any ideas for optional work (mods) for my TSX. Also, I’ve been toying with the idea of buying an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider. Something about it appeals to me, and I’m hoping an old car will be simple enough to do a lot of work on without needing much help. Ebay seems to always have one or two rusty project Giulietta Spiders. Anyway, I’m curious what suggestions you may have. Thanks!

-Sam

Sajeev answers:

Mister Sam, you are one seriously cool dude. Or maybe you are too much like me…which means you are a seriously goofy dork. Either way, I like what I’m reading here.

That said, do you really need to touch the valvetrain on Dad’s Accord? Leave it alone, get a project car. I’d caution you on damn near any European project car for a newbie, the price of parts and availability will be tough: especially a car as ancient as that Alfa. While there are a few worthy VWs, they aren’t the easiest to repair and diagnose. You are better off with something American or Japanese.

I see you as a potentially hard-core Honda person. And Honda made some great cars. They deserve more publicity these days. You really, really need to run with this, um, fabricated notion of mine.

Why the hell don’t you want a beater Civic? A Ricer-Resto project! Save an “old school” vintage tunerboi Honda from the crusher! The third, fourth and fifth generation Civics are cool cars. Listen to the guy pigeonhole’d as a Panther fanatic: the vehicle posted below is way, way cooler than any Alfa. ANY Alfa!

OH YEAH: check out those wheels. You need to hit that Civic sh–…SON!

Send your queries to sajeev@thetruthaboutcars.com. Spare no details and ask for a speedy resolution if you’re in a hurry.

#Noobie #ProjectCar #ShadeTreeMechanic

Sajeev Mehta

More by Sajeev Mehta

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 36 comments

Pinzgauer on Sep 20, 2012

The most imporant rule of home mechanics: If it aint broke, dont break it. Leave those vavles alone unless there is actually a problem.

Like Reply
Andy D on Sep 25, 2012

I put together Bugs for daily drivers for 20 yrs. Drove 5 Grand Wagoneers for 20 yrs. I shade tree my daily drivers. Latest car is the BMW 528e. They were made from '82-'88. Bosch EFI is very robust and easy to work on. Much preferred to points and carbs. Ive had 5 as family DDs since '96 Has a world wide group of enthusiasts. 300 k miles is not unusual on a maintained 528e. Cheap parts, accessible tech info. Rust is an issue of course. In stock form, it has 121 HP in a 3200 pound car. So it is not very fast off the line. Once you get it up to highway speeds, it will just cruise. Perfect commuter car. The 535i is the hot E 28, it has 180 hp. I know a guy with 540 K miles on his 535i.

Like Reply

Recent Comments

TheEndlessEnigma Of course they should unionize. US based automotive production component production and auto assembly plants with unionized memberships produce the highest quality products in the automotive sector. Just look at the high quality products produced by GM, Ford and Chrysler!
Redapple2 Got cha. No big.
Theflyersfan The wheel and tire combo is tragic and the "M Stripe" has to go, but overall, this one is a keeper. Provided the mileage isn't 300,000 and the service records don't read like a horror novel, this could be one of the last (almost) unmodified E34s out there that isn't rotting in a barn. I can see this ad being taken down quickly due to someone taking the chance. Recently had some good finds here. Which means Monday, we'll see a 1999 Honda Civic with falling off body mods from Pep Boys, a rusted fart can, Honda Rot with bad paint, 400,000 miles, and a biohazard interior, all for the unrealistic price of $10,000.
Theflyersfan Expect a press report about an expansion of VW's Mexican plant any day now. I'm all for worker's rights to get the best (and fair) wages and benefits possible, but didn't VW, and for that matter many of the Asian and European carmaker plants in the south, already have as good of, if not better wages already? This can drive a wedge in those plants and this might be a case of be careful what you wish for.
Jkross22 When I think about products that I buy that are of the highest quality or are of great value, I have no idea if they are made as a whole or in parts by unionized employees. As a customer, that's really all I care about. When I think about services I receive from unionized and non-unionized employees, it varies from C- to F levels of service. Will unionizing make the cars better or worse?