Common Acura Integra 3rd Generation (1994 - 2001) Common Known Issue

1. Camshaft seal cap/plug on side of cylinder block
1. This is a common part in 2001 Civic and 1992 Prelude.  Year 2000 Civic doesn't has this part
2. It is a plastic cap with o-ring
3. Plastic plug with o-ring cost CAD$13
4. The o-ring itself cost CAD$0.40, which I recommend to replace every 10 yr
5. If plastic cap is good, then just replace the o-ring size about 27mmx2.5mm or 28mmx2.5mm (IDxCS) nitrile
6. High temperature material like Viton, FPM, AFLAS are waste of money because nitrile can last for 9 yr, and 4 to 10 times cheaper
7. Inspect for oil leak at the bottom of the plug as the o-ring harded by age.  The plastic plug should be good for 15 year
8. Use a flat head screw driver to pop up the old plastic cap.  It is a 1 minute job
9. Don't waste money on billet type 2 or 3 o-ring cap.  The nitrile o-ring for those will harden quickly, and need to remove valve cover to replace.  The Honda/Acura plastic cap design will last equally long with 1 o-ring, and quick to replace every 10 yr
10. Buy a couple o-ring if you have multiple Honda/Acura car dated 1990 to 2011, including Civic, Prelude, Accord, Fit, Insight, Fit
11. Camshaft plug picture
2. Valve cover gasket
1. Needs to use Ultra grey RTV at the round and corner when installing
2. Inspect for oil leak and replace as needed
3. Cost CAD$35
3. Front upper control arm
1. Torn rubber bushing due to age.  Inspect the rubber bushing, and replace whichever side as needed
2. Cost CAD$35
3. Car alignment is recommended
4. Front upper control arm picture
4. Coolant temperature sensor for driver cluster
1. It could slowly degrade and show lower than normal temperature at early failure and eventually stop moving the needle at end of life
2. Cost CAD$8
3. This is a common part with 2001 Civic
4. Non-OEM might be longer, so Honda part is not require
5. This is a 1-wire sensor for the instrument cluster, not the 2-wire sensor to ECU.  There are 2 coolant temperature sensor
6. Coolant temperature sensor
5. Front outer tie rod
1. Inspect for torn rubber bushing
2. Cost CAD$18
3. Car alignment is recommended
6. Front inner tie rod
1. Inspect for torn rubber bushing
2. Cost CAD$15
3. Car alignment is recommended
7. Rear trailing arm bushing
1. The rubber bushing will crack slowly after 10 yr.  When it is totally broken, when going on uneven surface, the metal knocking sound will be heard
2. It affects the wheel height, but not chamber or toe
3. Recommend to replace in pair
4. Needs pressing tool such as Honda Lower Control Arm Bushing Tool, Bushing Extractor
5. No car alignment needed
8. Antenna auto up/down
9. Electronic trunk release - electric motor failure
10. Rough idle
1. Clean the Fast Idle Thermo Valve, and tighten any internal parts in it.  This part is located directly under the plastic air intake connector to the air intake body, where the butterfly valve is.  You need to remove large plastic air intake hose
2. This is a common part since 1990's, such as 1992 Honda Prelude
3. This part is DIY cleanable.  Remove it from intake valve body, then remove all the bolts to clean every part by paper tower
4. If it doesn't resolve the issue, then remove and clean Idle Air Control Valve
11. Low brake fluid warning light
1. The sensor is easy to trigger intermittently on low brake fluid, even it is above MIN level
2. When brake pads wear to 80%, the warning light may intermittently on, which you can add a few drops of brake fluid to shut it off, or replace the brake pads early
3. Cost $30 (non-OEM) - $120 (OEM) front sets or rear sets
4. Recommend to buy brake lube when replacing.  The smallest packet cost $3
5. When removing the reservoir cover, inspect filter for clog, which might trigger the warning light
6. Inspect wire on the cover.  Loose wire might trigger the light
7. Recommend to replace all 4 wheels brake pad, then top it up.  Then this warning light eventually will tell me either the front or rear brake pad is 80% worn, and need replacement.  The brake fluid will never evaporated, and will always in the brake system even after 15 years.  It is a good indicator of worn brake pad, if you don't check it annually
12. Water/moisture in rear brake light
1. Replace the rubber seal
2. Alternatively, drill a small hole at the bottom of light assembly to let the water to drain out
3. Another cheap workaround is to use kitchen sink silicon seal.  Apply around the existing old rubber seal