Anyway, since I got my Accord I had nothing but trouble with it. As soon as I bought it, I had to replace the clutch under warranty as it was slipping (85k). Seems very crap for such a mileage. After this was done, the clutch pedal started clicking. This was down to a master clutch cylinder being "under lubricated". Bought some grease and the noise is gone. Next I had some quite whiffy smell in the cabin... caused by a cracked exhaust manifold. This was replaced today under Honda's "extended warranty". And now.... ahhh... the spanner monkeys that replaced the manifold managed to break off the little plastic tube from the radiator onto which a rubber tube goes into the coolant expansion tank. Ahhhh!!!! Why on earth is it made from plastic?? This means either replacing the whole radiator, which is otherwise fine, or trying to stick the little tube back on. Just drove 150 miles with this tube broken and the engine is full of coolant splashes. Will go to B&Q tomorrow to try and get some plastic Unibond epoxy to try and fix it. Grrrr.......
There is a really nice 406 coupe down the road from me on sale, I may just trade the worst car I've had for it. Accord is great to drive but the stupid reliability problems are beyond belief. Had more troubles with this Honda in 3 months than I did with the '6 in 5 years.
Sorry to hear about your troubles (although part of me is relieved to hear it's not just our cars that can make life so interesting )
Shouldn't the spanner monkeys be paying for a new radiator?? Can you reinforce the pipe with some microbore tubing/copper brake line?
I suppose it's up to you, maybe once you've got the Accord sorted it'll be a good car, maybe the coupe will be a pain: Perhaps you can see how much they'd give you on the trade in and work from there
Not quite sure what you meant by reinforcing the pipe but the plan is to remove the broken plastic bit from the inside of the pipe and stick it back onto the radiator with some epoxy thing... And then putting the pipe back on. And hope it lasts... Grrrrr...
The only coupe I'd buy is the diesel but even that has its share of nasty problems - BSI, DMF, bottom pulleys, awkward cambelt, FAP filters etc. The list goes on... That's the only reason I went for the Accord and not the coop. I think there are no good cars out there today. My next car will be some cheap and cheerful small car. A Fiesta springs to mind... or even a Fiat 500c!
CJ! Sorry to hear of your problems matey
I'd go with Steve; you could cut off a piece of copper tube & silicone it into the rad then push the hose back on.
Good luck with it!
Matt
1996 406 1.8LX Got a bad case of hydro lock!
1996 406 Executive 2.0 Turbo XU10J2TE No longer hangin' on in there
1997 Honda CB500V
2003 Volvo V40 1.8 GDi SE killed by a nutter in a beemer 5 series
2008 Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium X
"Always look on the bright side of life, dedo, dedo dedodedo"
It depends how good the glue is, I was thinking it wouldn't take much flexing so slide the bit of copper tube inside the break in the plastic tube to keep it straight while you're glueing and give it a bit more strength when it's done. Plus you can go to town with the epoxy without fear of blocking it.
So possibly a case of better the devil you know? Remember, we get a lot of "worst case scenarios" on here, there's thousands of 406 owners out there that have never been to this site because their cars have never gone wrong. Anyway, do you mean the old 500 or the new one? 'cos the new one's bound to be emission controlled to hell
If it helps I've got a bit in my plumbing box left over from when they installed my air con
Zastava made them under license in Serbia too, the locals call them Fićo - "fig". Btw I saw an old shape Fiat Punto today, badged as a Zastava 10 which a smaller badge saying "licensed by Fiat", so it looks like they're still turning out recycled crap.
(It also had Serbian plates and was in Karlovac so, considering the amount of ordinance they fired at the locals, I was surprised it made it through the town without being shot at. )
The Accord Euro (as it's called here because you can buy two types) is heaps popular here. Everyone buys them because @ 34k AUD they are awesome value, safe, nice inside and reliable. Dad drove one when looking at getting his next car but preferred the Mazda6 when it came to road feel!
They are getting down in price here second hand - Tempted to look at one but I just can't bring myself to sell the 406. Its such a great car!
Captain Jack wrote:since I got my Accord I had nothing but trouble with it
Sorry captain, been waiting to use nelson for ages the 406 is a comfy, forgiving familiar old thing and VERY hard to replace (unless you buy another) I was getting desperate to replace mine in January this year and I've had it for 2.5 years now (longest ever) but struggled like mad wondering what else to get? I love the styling and build of the A4 but worry about a hard ride/seats similarly Golfs read up to be a nightmare and so on.
So I feel for you fella and hope you find an agreeable solution as soon as possible. If one things for sure you can sell/trade accords all day long they are that popular.
Cars in my care:
2021 Kia Spottage 1.6 Pez Turbo Dual Clutch Gearbox Trickery
2013 Renner Twingo - donkey work
Thanks for all the replies, chaps. Yeah, still dunno about the coop. Half my mind is saying to buy a D8 2L version in decent condition and have it is my 2nd car. Should be cheap to run and buy. There's plenty about. The diesel has too many devils!
Speaking of the devils... my girlfriend's housemate actually found a microbore "lying around", which I have used to reinforce the plastic tube. Should be stronger than before it was broken! Just waiting for it to dry will give it a tickover
Glad you fixed it CJ, I was going to say forget it and get the garage to get you a replacement radiator . Now go and trade it for that coop before it breaks again
Playtime_Fontayne wrote:"Dai Rees Supplier of Fine Automobilia. Established 2007"
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I think the old Zaporozhec car was based on the 500, so feeling a bit nostalgic 
. Now go and trade it for that coop before it breaks again 
