How TO Check If Engine Is New?

[Arowana]

Hi, im a noob, u might remembered me from the previos noob question i asked before.


I want to buy a Honda Civic Vtir Coupe, there is this guy that want to sell me his car. but the car is Vti with engine rebuild to vtec. well thats what he said to me. I dont know nothing about cars so i need you guys to help me on this one. What worries me the most is the "engine change" he said the engine is brand new, but how do i confirm it other then taking his word for it?

heres the link to the car.
http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/!cs_content.private_vehicle?vehicle_id=3089389&current_rec=2&used_rec=0&total_rec=21&sort_type=&total_rec=21&sort_type=&make_id=19&model_id=74&keyword=VTIR&state_id=-1&search_distance=25

I've already put deposit on the car. please advice me if the car is worth it.

[destrukshn]

sure looks like a b16a twin cam vtec.

[tRipitaka]

u do know that's not a coupe right ?
and the engine is a rebuild, not brand new.. but closest you can get to it.. aslong as it's done properly that is..

[Arowana]

here is the details of da car he gave me
vin nunber:jhmek15500s003993
Eng:d16y51700580
Eng:b16a21200800


wat the hell? dis mite me a stupid noob question, how come he gave me 2 engine number?

[tRipitaka]

d16y is what the car originally came with..
b16a is what is in the car now..

[Arowana]

heres the details he gave me

vin number:jhmek15500s003993
eng:d16y51700580
eng:b16a21200800


this is a stupid noob question, but how come he gave me 2 eng number?? i have a few assumptions, but think its better if you just tell me why.

[tRipitaka]

d16y is what the car originally came with..
b16a is what is in the car now..

:rolleyes:

[Arowana]

oh ok..thanks

so what to you think, is the car really worth

[tRipitaka]

honestly, u can get better value for your money.. unless you're after a 4door sedan with a bit of oomph, then it's ok..

[Arowana]

oomph???? do u mean it goes a little faster or is it a joke?

and i've just check that car with the revs, and it says the car is under police investigation. wth???

[tRipitaka]

if that's the case, stay far away from it..

[Arowana]

is it possible if i can get the guy to go wif me to the police stations :D and hab them check the car???

seriosly this may b a bit off topic, but i kinda want the car but dont want the guy to get in trouble because of me.

[Arowana]

Oh dont answer that *shaking head


and the engine is a rebuild, not brand new.. but closest you can get to it....

I still dont get it. u say its a rebuild, but the engine could be like 5-10 yrs old if vtec was out that far back, or it could be like taking out from another car (old used car) and put into this one. is that what u meant?

Or is it from the manufacturer (eg new in a box) and put into that car?


you may think i am really noob because i ask you all this, but yeh i am one, im not familiar with the terms that are used.

[JasonGilholme]

It would be from another car. I'm not sure if honda sell B16a2's from factory but if they did I don't think anyone would bother because it would be quite expensive.

Also, if he(or his car) is under police inspection don't touch it. You could get the car towed away at any time and possibly get involved with a crime that you didn't commit.

Just warning you.

[tRipitaka]

yes, the engine would've been taken from another car, and put into it.. and the "rebuild" does not refer to the "conversion from car to car", but more so that the engine was taken out, replaced with new/newer parts p+p etc.

seeing as it says it's a rebuild, it's guaranteed that it's not a brand new engine "in box" :)

and seeing as the engine number is b16a2*****
the b16a2 was brought out 1992 the earliest.. with the EG2/EG6..
therefore the engine CAN be up to 14 years old..

ALTHOUGH, from viewing the ad, the car the engine is in atm is 1999.. (for it to be legal, the engine has to come from a car that's the same age or newer..) therefore if it was a legal conversion, the engine would not be older than 6/7 years..

[JasonGilholme]

Didn't the first Del Sol's come out with the B16A2?? In 92/93???

[tRipitaka]

oh shit.. they did too..
...edited

[Arowana]

oooooh...im getting chillz down my spine now.

i mean what if me and him get the car check out with the police before i buy the car. would it still be ok?

or r u still warning me to stay away from it?...because the more u tell me to stay away from it, the more i want it.

[tRipitaka]

because the more u tell me to stay away from it, the more i want it.
sorry, but that's the stupidest thing i've heard all year..

potentially, $18,000 could go down the drain..

if you want to do that, you might aswell go to the casino and atleast you'll have a chance of making money..

[aaronng]

I'd be against it too because of police investigation. You don't want that kind of trouble.

And going down to the police station with the guy won't fix it. It's already in the database, which means the police has already flagged the car.

[Arowana]

oh,...ok..

and i 've just msged him and he told me that its the speeding fine

what do you think? does speeding fine get u the record with the revs??

and oh yeh...when people tell u to stay away from sumfing...its means that that fing is special in a way but it also means the opposite.

[Terry]

oh,...ok..

and i 've just msged him and he told me that its the speeding fine

what do you think? does speeding fine get u the record with the revs??

and oh yeh...when people tell u to stay away from sumfing...its means that that fing is special in a way but it also means the opposite.

Man if is dirty why bother to touch it? there are heaps of good cars around......in this case it depends on how serious is the offence, police may be entitle to impounded the car for number of reasons.....even the car got the clean title.....the number plate and you car model will make u be famous for cops......u interested? then is your choice.

[Kandy]

you could almost get a real vtir coupe with that amount of money...

I don't see anything special about it... ugly altezzas... and how does one get their number plate banged up so much too lol, someone backed into my car with their bull bar and it wasn't that bad...

Police Investigation? For a speeding fine? erm, I'd hate to get my new car impounded for someone elses crime... rethink it dude...

[aaronng]

Police investigation usually means a criminal offence. A speeding fine is not a criminal offence. Also, there is no investigation on speeding fines. Your photo gets taken, and you take the blame unless you pass the buck to someone else with the declaration on the rear of the fine. No investigation there... Look for another car. Really... It will save you trouble in the long term. What if that car has also been flagged by those in the underworld? I don't want an Ozhonda member to be a victim of mistaken identity.

[Fr3aKi3]

oh,...ok..

and i 've just msged him and he told me that its the speeding fine

what do you think? does speeding fine get u the record with the revs??

and oh yeh...when people tell u to stay away from sumfing...its means that that fing is special in a way but it also means the opposite.

Well in this case we're telling you that if you buy this car THEN you'll have to live with a car that is on police records (personally i'd rather drive a car that isn't gonna be noticed by cops). If it's under investigation and they need the car for something, they can just take it and you'll be left without a car.

Don't see why there's an investigation for a speeding ticket. Get caught speeding, pay the fine simple. Unless he's contesting the fine, asks him when he got the speeding ticket and if it's been paid for. Then call up REVS to see if you can find out anymore details of this so called speeding ticket. If he tells you he got the speeding fine in January but REVS tells you that it was in April, then something aint right.

Better yet, call up or go to your local police station and ask them details about the car. You should have his rego (number plate), since you need it to do a REVS check. Tell the police that you're interested in buying that car but when you did a REVS check it came up saying there is a Police investigation and you'd like some more details on the matter, they may or may not give you some more details but it's worth a shot. BTW make sure its your local police and DON'T call up 000, because this isn't a emergency.

For that price you'll be able to find a proper VTi-R coupe, with less things to worry about.

One thing that stood out for me in the description is the 'Type R EK9 Brake System'. I always thought that ek9 brakes/hubs were 5 stud whereas that car has 4 studs. Someone else please confirm this, but the car just seems a little too suspicious for my liking.

My word of advice is to look elsewhere.

Goodluck with getting a car and hopefully you won't get ripped off or have dramas with the car.

[G-Stick]

i say get another car 18k is alot of money to pay for something like that. ur better off getting a dc2 and mod it up for the same amount of money

[Nodachi]

or get a Gli, CXI EK civic and mod it there.. with 18k u can get b18c done with spare change for yum cha later on..

[iamhappy46]

My N14 SSS Pulsar was flagged by the cops due to the previous owner. I got hassled everyday I drove it for 6 months! Worst was being pulled over 16 times in 10 days.

Based on experience, he would have been done for 'Driving in a manner dangerous to the public' as that is a criminal offence.

Avoid this car and spend ya money elsewhere.

[Arowana]

hahhah..ok..thanks everyone for your opinion.

i've come to my sense now that, its not worth it..so therefore im not gona get it.

Thanks again everyone who have replied and OzHonda for helping through this. Or else i would of been a laughing stock.

[z3lda]

b16a in delsol are b16a3

[yourfather]

One thing that stood out for me in the description is the 'Type R EK9 Brake System'. I always thought that ek9 brakes/hubs were 5 stud whereas that car has 4 studs. Someone else please confirm this, but the car just seems a little too suspicious for my liking.


Confirmed, looks like a bit of bullshit to me. He only has 4 stud. Car looks dirty and has been dinged. Doesn't look like it has been cared for at all.

Too much money. You're almost in brand new civic territory there.

They're 21K brand new, and this dude wants 17K for a 7 year old car.

Tell him to get .........

As for police investigation.

It could be possibly stolen. If you are able to supply some details, such as the current location of the vehicle, ring the police to investigate the matter further. If you cannot provide all details, at least tell them it's on carsales, they'll get a phone number etc.

A speeding fine is not a criminal offence, you don't go to prison for doing 40km/h over. If you hit someone you are, but if you were to lose your license for 6 months, it would not be considered a criminal offence.

Plus, the VIN number doesn't sound right. And the engine number too.

He has an EK1 sedan right. His vin number for 99 should be something like this

JHMEK1650XS2-XXXXXXX
D16Y5-47XXXXXX

If you go here, type in the vin, it comes up error for the one he gave you.

http://www.carcare.org/stats.shtml

If you type in
JHMEK1650XS211111 (the 1's are just there to make up 17 spaces, which all vin's require) It'll say 1999 Honda... So he's talking BS man, just leave the car be.
That doesn't match what he gave you at all.

The EK1 sedan Vti also came with a CVT transmission as standard.

You should ask him what kinda transmission he used to have, and if he said it's manual .. well, you know he is lying.

[civiceg9]

I think for someone with limited knowledge should purchase a
car that already come with everything from factory in the 1st place.
$18k I will option for a EK4 Civic VTiR or DC2R Integra Type R (may need to fork out abit more bit is alot better car)
which works out to be better value.
what more is less trouble with insurance and getting parts. (not that hard to get parts for a Honda anyway)

[JasonGilholme]

Just get a del sol and turn heaps of heads mate!!!

[Terry]

Ooo......this car been flagged by OH.......buyer beware......:p

[chartinael]

here is the details of da car he gave me
vin nunber:jhmek15500s003993


well, if we take the vin apart

jhm (JHM=japan made, 1HG= USA, 2HG= CA, SHH= UK)
ek1 (chassis code = Ek1)
5 (1= Coupe/5/MT, 2=Coupe4/AT/CVT3= Hatch/5/MT, 4= Hatch/4/AT, 5=Sedan/5 gears/manual transmission; 6=Sedan, 4 gears, AT)
5 (vehicle grade ... unfamiliar with AU vehicle grades in general however: 5 w/ ABS and AC or only ABS)
0 (check digit)
0 (model year ... T=96, V=97, W=98, X=99, Y=00) but the very early models of a new series get a 0 so this could be a 95 build ... I have a 0 and mine is a 96 model build in 95)
S (plant S=Suzuka, H=Alliston, CA, L= East Libert, USA)

Maybe it helps when you keep on looking.

So to me this looks like the sedan is a prefacelift with an engine swap and a facelift conversion.

[Fr3aKi3]

well, if we take the vin apart

jhm (JHM=japan made, 1HG= USA, 2HG= CA, SHH= UK)
ek1 (chassis code = Ek1)
5 (1= Coupe/5/MT, 2=Coupe4/AT/CVT3= Hatch/5/MT, 4= Hatch/4/AT, 5=Sedan/5 gears/manual transmission; 6=Sedan, 4 gears, AT)
5 (vehicle grade ... unfamiliar with AU vehicle grades in general however: 5 w/ ABS and AC or only ABS)
0 (check digit)
0 (model year ... T=96, V=97, W=98, X=99, Y=00) but the very early models of a new series get a 0 so this could be a 95 build ... I have a 0 and mine is a 96 model build in 95)
S (plant S=Suzuka, H=Alliston, CA, L= East Libert, USA)

Maybe it helps when you keep on looking.

Arowana - good choice in staying away from that car, I'm pretty sure you'll be able to find a much better than for a more reasonable price.

So to me this looks like the sedan is a prefacelift with an engine swap and a facelift conversion.


hey that's some pretty nifty info there, great stuff Chartinael =)

[yourfather]

well, if we take the vin apart

jhm (JHM=japan made, 1HG= USA, 2HG= CA, SHH= UK)
ek1 (chassis code = Ek1)
5 (1= Coupe/5/MT, 2=Coupe4/AT/CVT3= Hatch/5/MT, 4= Hatch/4/AT, 5=Sedan/5 gears/manual transmission; 6=Sedan, 4 gears, AT)
5 (vehicle grade ... unfamiliar with AU vehicle grades in general however: 5 w/ ABS and AC or only ABS)
0 (check digit)
0 (model year ... T=96, V=97, W=98, X=99, Y=00) but the very early models of a new series get a 0 so this could be a 95 build ... I have a 0 and mine is a 96 model build in 95)
S (plant S=Suzuka, H=Alliston, CA, L= East Libert, USA)

Maybe it helps when you keep on looking.

So to me this looks like the sedan is a prefacelift with an engine swap and a facelift conversion.

Good stuff, backs up my previous VIN claim.

[chartinael]

Well, yes, I didn't want to dispute your VIN claim at all just add a bit more info ...

Also, there are a bunch more tell-tales to see if a facelift really is a facelift but since he has already decided to not get the car, no need to tell him all the iddy-biddy things to look for.

kristin

[civicCXI]

stay away from the car. As the guys said, u don't wanna be stopped by police every now. Being blacklisted by police is the last thing a car owner would want (learnt from NFS:Most Wanted ;) )
Shop around

[Arowana]

stay away from the car. As the guys said, u don't wanna be stopped by police every now. Being blacklisted by police is the last thing a car owner would want (learnt from NFS:Most Wanted ;) )
Shop around


yeh, plus it'll be more hassle for me because i only have an automatic license. i was planning to purchase the car and drive it a bit more to boost up my confidence b4 i go and get the manual licence. since the car stand out to cops, i dont think its a very good idea to purchase it. But if i have a manual license alredy, i dont think i would be scared if i were to stop by cops, just get annoyed.

[kerim]

i got a 98 civic VTi-R (EK4), in the monaro blue colour, pm me if your interested.

thanks
kerim