Anyway, some history according to my paperwork:
2 October 2010: Bought the car at about 160,000km (just under 100,000 miles).
25 October 2010: Carried out the following work:
- New spark plugs
- New spark plug gallery seals
- New rocker cover gasket
- New air filter
- New fuel filter
- New thermostat and seal; flushed cooling system
- New transmission fluid
- New radiator cap
I find that most basic maintenance tends to get ignored, especially by younger people who buy cars cheap and never know to check these things. The thermostat was in a right state, surprising it was still working. The fuel filter was gunked up. The spark plug galleries were full of oil because the seals hadn't been replaced. There was oil over everything. Poor little Civic!
About the same time I installed a Sony head unit because the previous owner had removed his. The front speakers received an upgrade. Nothing major, just some decent 3-ways, I forget the brand. Also installed a Mugen gearknob - why not?
18 May 2012: Failed a WOF (Warrant of Fitness in New Zealand - a 6 or 12 monthly check to ensure cars are road worthy) on "body damage to the left hand rear behind the bumper". It had been rear ended at some point in the past, but only half-pie repaired. Previous WOF checks had not picked up on this, even though they were done at Honda. Sigh. Also, had Mugen shocks fitted, which I had bought second hand, because the factory shocks were due for the bin. Also had a wheel alignment.
30 May 2012: Had "body damage" professionally repaired. New WOF!
2 July 2012: Had a set of 4-2-1 headers installed. The rest of the exhaust remained stock at that stage. It went a little bit better but didn't sound the best. About 2600 - 3000rpm it had a buzzy yowl which isn't the best. I put up with it for then. Also changed oil and filter. 167,600km.
12 November 2012: Have A/C regassed and high stop light soldered so the damn thing stops crapping out.
May 2013: Finally get around to getting tyres for the set of 15" Mugen MR5s I had sitting around for two years. I was a little worried that going from the OEM 14" wheels with 65 profile tyres to 15" wheels with 50 profile tyres would cause the ride to get worse - it was pretty choppy on the 14s. The opposite turned out to be true - the ride improved noticeably! I reckon the tyres on the 14s were to blame and probably well past their use by date. Pics below.
6 June 2013: WOF check. Main fuel relay resoldered. Clutch pedal pivot lubed. Rear hatch hinges lubed. Car squeaks less = win.
31 October 2013: Finally get fed up with the exhaust sounding terrible. Time to remedy! Custom 2" exhaust from the headers back, through two resonators, flow muffler, and a subtle twin tip. Result? Very pleased, huge improvements all around. It's relatively quiet but sounds great under load, deep and smooth but subtle, just the way a Civic should be. I enjoy driving it so much more since because it doesn't sound awful any more
4 December 2013: After noticing the A/C is not working at all (sigh), back to the shop for a "WTF?" Turns out high pressure o-ring needed to be replaced. A/C regassed again (had better keep working dis time...).
5 December 2013: WOF check (pass). Oil leaking from sump gasket and bung. This needs to be rectified. Booked in to have that sorted the week after next.
Time for a pics break:
Edited by SiRedge, 23 July 2014 - 06:19 PM.