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94 Honda Civic crankshaft issue - brokedown on the road, pls help!


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teloiv
New User

Jan 29, 2012, 7:39 PM

Post #1 of 5 (2524 views)
94 Honda Civic crankshaft issue - brokedown on the road, pls help! Sign In

Tough decision I need to make really soon, would really appreciate some help. Stuck at a Motel 6 in the middle of nowhere.

Today, I was driving my 94 Civic (standard) and took a sharp turn onto an exit. Something banged on the bottom of the car, and when I pulled into the gas station, the steering was screwed up and it sounded bad.

Looked under the hood, took it to a mechanic. The harmonic balancer (AKA damper) on the driver’s side end of the crankshaft (the one with 2 belts running around it) is chipped, and so is the crankshaft (small chips, maybe 4mm each). The mechanic said he’ll try replacing the damper to see if it’s tight enough to drive. He says that if it’s not, I’ll have to replace the whole crankshaft (i.e. I’m screwed).

Here’s my problem: let’s say the new damper fits on. I'm 900 miles from home. Won’t that little chip eventually wear more and more, to the point that the crankshaft will be loose again? Is it possible for me to drive home with some damage to the crankshaft even if the engine sounds smooth with the new damper? I really don't know if its safe to make that long of a drive, but I have a car full of stuff and I need to get home!


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jan 29, 2012, 7:47 PM

Post #2 of 5 (2518 views)
Re: 94 Honda Civic crankshaft issue - brokedown on the road, pls help! Sign In

If you have a damaged crankshaft I really wouldn't expect to drive it 900 miles. You might consider flying home and leaving the car behind.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jan 30, 2012, 1:28 AM

Post #3 of 5 (2472 views)
Re: 94 Honda Civic crankshaft issue - brokedown on the road, pls help! Sign In

Rock and hard place! If you make a run for it have a plan "B" and "C" as to what you will do. Perhaps if at or real close to a truck stop ask truckers for ideas on transporting whole cars and YOU. A plain tow would be nasty expensive and you would still have the issue at desired destination. Tough call,

T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jan 30, 2012, 4:02 AM

Post #4 of 5 (2465 views)
Re: 94 Honda Civic crankshaft issue - brokedown on the road, pls help! Sign In

I really doubt the value of a 94 civic with a bad engine would justify the transportation costs and headaches of getting stuck if/when it dies.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 30, 2012, 4:59 AM

Post #5 of 5 (2459 views)
Re: 94 Honda Civic crankshaft issue - brokedown on the road, pls help! Sign In

This is tough especially in so called "nowhere" and I probably would sell or give the car to the mechanic, ship the contents home and fly home and deal with getting another car at a home base. You are right - how much can this car be worth (18 years old) with a bad engine with motel costs adding up and other expenses/headaches - not a pretty picture,

T







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