₦airaland Forum

So what did the gear specialist do, change the gear box, repair or just service it?

How did "Nse Ikpe-Etim" make the list?

There is no doubt Honda makes good vehicles with strong engines and exquisite interior designs. Just consider Toyota Camry 2004 (Big for Nothing) and Honda Accord 2004 (EOD). In terms of the controls, driving pleasure, interior and exterior designs, Honda is clearly on top notch compared to Toyota and thats why Honda cars are classy.

But in terms of rugged and reliability, Toyota is clearly top notch. For example some Honda models are plagued with transmission problems and then the issue of discussion - the frequent ball joint failure in all model of Honda cars. Thats why you see Toyota products being used for commercial transportation more often than other brands and you can hardly see fragile Honda cars/mini vans used for commercial transportation.

The choice actually depends on the buyer, what do you want? You must sacrifice something for something. Where and how you want to use the vehicle may help decide on the product to buy.

I love traveling so i cannot use a car that i will keep listening to the front tyres while on the highway or driving with the mindset that the ball joint can actually pull out. Well thats for me

First of all, this ball joint issue can be considered design flaw from Nigerian point of view because of the nature of our roads.

But @lonelydora said using OEM parts could prevent it from happening. I wouldn't really know how true this is because even new honda cars are prone to having this problem.

It is also said that it doesn't happen on a high speed but a colleague in this office experience that on the Ibadan - Ilorin express way on high speed. Although i have seen some others on a rough road and one particularly while climbing a bump. We all know how our high ways are, can somebody drive without chance of entering one pot hole or the other? Or is it better to change it especially the steering ball joint each time you want to travel?

A couple of people say that before a pull out, you will hear an unusual noise from the front tyres which will serve as indicator to the problem. Considering that people drive around with AC on and the windows wound up and sometimes with radio/music on inside the car. This will not allow you to hear any of such sound. I just imagine travelling at 120/140Km/h with music of course, how on earth will one hear such noise from the tryes? Unless there is a sensor to alert the driver of problem else, it is practically impossible unless within the city

Worst of all, what if you notice the sign of imminent failure of the ball joint on a lonely area on highway? I wouldn't know if there is a guarantee that after changing the ball joint it is going to last for at least say 6 months before any chance of it pulling out on the road then one might consider that especially when travelling.

@OP

Have you found solution to your car problem?

Honda experts and owners please comment.

Avensis is a nice car, i share your idea about it being "sporty compact build".

Go for it.

The attached picture is exactly what i'm saying. I got this picture from this thread:

https://www.nairaland.com/1267719/honda-cars-front-wheel-issue

They are all 2.2L engine. From NL, price ranges from 850K-950K

I have asked this question under Honda maintenance tips thread but did not get a resounding answer.

I have heard even on this forum and from some Honda owners about a problem of faulty ball joints and/or upper arm peculiar with Honda products that results in the front tyre pulling out. If this happens, the vehicle cannot move. That could be very dangerous on a highway or on a very lonely and dangerous road.

Please experienced Honda experts and users, is there a way to prevent this ball joint issue and the tyre pulling out on a high speed? Some say it will give the driver signs but if is ignored then the worst will happen. But the question is, what if it gives the sign on a highway or a very lonely road, benin by-pass for example? I guess thats why Honda vehicles are not used for commercial transportation.

Does it make Honda vehicles useful only for driving within a city?

A friend bought a Honda CRV 1998 before learning about the problem. He has been afraid of traveling from Lagos to Benin.

All suggestions will be appreciated.

naturallysmart: @ sultaan

I changed engine cuz my gasket got burnt and the engine was badly affected.

@IDARACHODB
Thanks for ur time and concern, i rilly appreciate. Still waiting for ur technical advice..

naturallysmart: @ sultaan

I guess the gasket got burnt because the car overheat. Why did the car overheat?

What type of engine came with the car and what type of engine did you replace it with?

@OP, look at these:

https://www.nairaland.com/1378889/mazda-mpv-prone-auto-gear

http://www.mpvclub.com/techinfo.php?action=fluidspec00

I have discovered that you must have a good mechanic who knows about that type of car to really enjoy it especially when you want to use it for transport business.

However, i was told by somebody that some people are using it for business (Lagos - Ilorin route) and they load around Ijora, Lagos. They could be of help if you can contact them.

@IdaraCHODB Yes, it seems MPV and Sienna 2001 have almost same in terms of fuel economy but maintenance wise, sienna might be more expensive.

How much did he say the price is?

You can follow this advice:

igomen: First of all run a scan on your MPV (it will cost you about 5-10K) to determine the actual cause of the problem. Secondly, get a competent Gear-master to interpret the scan result and fix the problem accordingly. If the scan didn't detect any electrical issues with the transmission, then it (transmission) should be serviced with the recommended transmission fluid. Check the user manual for the recommended transmission fluid.

naturallysmart: Goodmorning house, please how much can i get a gearbox for my mazda mpv 2001 automatic, the car jumps when changing from gear one but runs smooth afterwords. Ȋ̝̊̅§ there anything i can do about it or i shud change the gearbox or convert it to manaul. Please advice me on which Ȋ̝̊̅§ best cuz i'm thinking of using the car for transport on tHe warri-abuja route.thanks

Do transporters use Mazda MPV for business?

Anyway, a guy in NL who owns an MPV gave me a phone number of a guy in Lagos who sells Mazda MPV parts. You can call him to find out the cost of gear box and other things. I have NOT met the seller my self. It is equally good if you can report back to the house with your findings.
Name: Mr Paul
Phone No: 08037038922

Hope this helps.

spiaggia: I have noticed some Toyota Picnic cars being paraded for sale with the automatic transmission gear lever on the floor like it is in a Camry. Is this safe considering that the Toyota picnic has it's gear close to the Steering originally

Really? Could you post the link? I heard recently from my mechanic that some Toyota Picnic come with Camry Engine though he did not say anything about using same gear/gear selector.

The pix plz, interested

aeu1: OP, why not buy Picnic and have rest for your soul. I've seen Picnic being offered for sale here on NL for your budget, car market is buyers market. Picnic has 6 and 7 seats specs. Post your demand in Autos section and receive offers. All your adumbrating on Mazda MPV n Odessey is really uncalled for, be nice to accept that best lies not in appearance but hassles free experience in what'll be your choice
Regards

Yes, Picnic is good, uses same engine (3S-FE) as Avensis but unfortunately smaller than all other competitors and the also the most expensive. But i appreciate your contribution.

Dis Guy: how is it going ping2ping?

which did you settle for within that budget, my mum is also looking to get a 7 seater-
currently considering a Vauxhall[opel] Zafira

I have decided for Honda Odyssey 1997 for the following reasons:
1. Easy to maintain since it uses same engine and gear box as honda accord 1997 (aka Academy) so i wouldn't have to be looking for a specialized mechanic

2. It is fuel efficient - 2.2L 4-Cylinder (21/26 mpg). I will be using it mostly within the city and occasionally for traveling.

3. It has enough space, the back seat can fold down flat.

4. It has rear air conditioning, cruise control, ABS, etc.

Opel products do have issues, i think you should do more research on it and advise your mum appropriately.

Look no further, go for it. If you raise your budget a little bit you can get toks of it.

However, with about 450-500K, you can get very good Nigerian used

Information:

Demba Ba and Victor Moses did not travel with Chelsea squad to Manchester for the match tonight.

Is it a sign that the duo might be on their way out of Stamford bridge??

You said the car is manual drive with cruise control?

I doubt how possible that is

Further research i have conducted on this showed that Odyssey 1995-1997 uses same engine (2.2L, I4, 140hp) and gear box (Honda H4A auto gear series) as Accord 1995 - 1997 (aka academy) while Odyssey 1998 uses same engine (2.3L, I4, 150hp) and gear box (Honda M6HA auto gear series) as Accord 1998 - 2002 (aka baby boy).

Odyssey 1999-2001 shares same engine (3.0L, V6) and gear box (Honda B7XA auto gear series) with Accord 1998 - 2002 V6.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Honda_transmissions

On Mazda MPV, I discovered that 2000-2001 model use Mazda 4-speed auto transmission while from 2002 model, Mazda used JATCO 5-speed auto transmission. From reviews, the 5-speed tranny in 2002 - 2006 model is much more prone to problems.

Does anybody really know about fuel efficiency of 2000-2001 MAzda MPV? I know is V6 but the 2000-2001 model is 2.5L engine so might be less fuel thirstier than say Sienna with 3.0L V6 engine?

I'm about buying a Honda car which i will use as everyday car and travel to the East at least twice a year.

But i have heard even on this forum about a peculiar problem with Honda products that results in the front tyre pulling out. That could be very dangerous on a highway or on a very lonely and dangerous road.

Please experienced Honda experts and users, how do you avert this problem if possible? You can imagine if that happens along Benin By-Pass or Benin - Ore highway? Is there something on the car you need to change or check regularly to avert such problem?

All suggestions will be appreciated.

tee2faith: Users of Honda Accord and all, please help o.
I got this Honda Accord 2003 EX in February. I changed the engine oil and filter on April 20.
On June 10, I realized that the oil is short and below the minimum gauge, I decide to change the engine oil and filter again but this time, I opted for Mobil 1 after trying endlessly to get 5W-20, I didn't really use the car other than going to and fro the office. I checked the oil last week after a journey from Abuja to Akure and realize that the oil was below the minimum gauge( I didn't actually check it before I embarked on the journey, I don't know if its the Mobil 1 engine oil that is not compatible with the car.
I want to go and service the car again, please advise me on the engine oil to use and I won't mind if anyone can also direct me to a good auto-mechanic in Abuja.
Also does anyone know why these 2 lights should be on: Malfunction Indicator Lamp and the ABS light, I think it has been like that since I got the car.
Please help me before another of this Abuja trial and error road side guys fry my pocket o.

From my little experience with cars, first check if their oil leak somewhere. If there is none, then i'm afraid your engine is BAD! I don't think oil shortage is dependent on the type of oil.

I'm using a toyota. After some years, i started noticing that before the next servicing, the oil level will go down and the car was smoking a little. As time went on, the smoking increased especially on reverse and the oil level continued to go down. My mechanic suggested changing the engine which i did. After that, the problem went away. I have used the car about 1 month+ and the oil level still remain the way it was when i changed the engined

EOD 2003 is more sporty but is plagued with Transmission problems while Avalon 2003 is a V6 engine, same engine with Sienna, more durable but average interior.

The choice is yours!

igomen: I drive a Mazda MPV LX 2000 model. It's a fun car to drive but when u ignore the warning signs repairs will eat deep into your pocket. Though my mechanic told me I'm lucky its the 2000 I model I own, he said if it were the '02 and above models, I will spend 3x the amount I spent in rebuilding my gear. Warning sign: After I stop in traffic and I try to accelerate, it takes a while before it moves; that is a sign that the gear filter might be clogged. Solution is either to service the filter or replace it. I did neither and weeks later the auto transmission failed completely, I could not move an inch.

After this experience and my account debited by 50k to rebuild the tranny, I now do regular gear service of 4-6 months interval. I no longer have tranny issues, its a smooth ride all the way. Just as you shouldn't ignore your car engine, so also you shouldn't ignore the gear: inspect at regular intervals by taking note of the colour, smell and consistency of the fluid, this will give you an idea of when service is due.

Sorry about that and thanks for sharing. But what kind of ATF do you use?

Somebody elsewhere in this forum said "You will need to replace the piping underneath the car with aluminum since it is prone to rust which will cause your car to lose coolant and overheat - and this vehicle does not like overheating. Once you have done this, and you use a proper mixture of both coolant and water, you will never worry about overheating with this vehicle. Also ensure both fans work to prevent overheating." Did you experience overheating problems or changed the piping as the guy said?

Thanks for the info

Who knows about Avensis Verso? Is it a later model of Picnic or different type of minivan entirely? It looks classy. Any idea of the cost of 2001 model with auto tranny?

Go for Primera 1.6, its a very good car

igomen: To enjoy Mazda MPV you need to have good maintenance culture. Regular servicing of the gear (just as you service the engine) say every 4-6 months is the only panacea for unforeseen (future) gear problems. No two ways about it. How do I know this you may ask; simple, I drive one and I have been taught a lesson I don't intend to forget in a hurry.

Which model of MPV are you using? Could you share your bitter experience so that other interested readers may learn

waash: Hi Doc, own a Honda Accord 2005 DX, 2.4l Engine, A/T. About 4 weeks ago, noticed car was dragging b4 shifting into 4 (around 80km/h). about last week, noticed some noise around driver's side of engine. 3 days ago, lost gear suddenly (car just screaming) so I stopped & shifted to P, shifted back to D and drove home.

Next morning set out for a trip & lost gear close to my house. Took the car to the mechanic & we drained the ATF and replaced with the Conoil ATF. Car seemed ok. Drove 500km next morning to Makurdi. Lost gear several times along the way. Would just shift to neutral, turn car off then on, shift into D and continue. Lost gear more frequently (every time I stepped on the brakes) close to my destination. Got to Makurdi, stopped for about 2 hours and car refused to move afterwards. Gear won't engage, D blinking, ATF smells and has changed colour. Have not done anything, car parked since then. Please advice. Thanks

I'm NOT the car-doctor but i think you should start by changing your ATF to ATF-Z1 as prescribed by the car-doctor. That may just solve your problems

Please car-doctor, what does it mean to "flash" or "reflash" an auto transmission? I see this a lot but wouldn't know what exactly that means.

Could you please educate us

car-doctor:
I have encountered a few engine problems on this car but mainly due to bad mechanics and poor maintenance. The most common issues with them are the auto transmission. If you intend buying one, check for high mileage cars with poor service history and avoid them or else you might risk having to change the gearbox in no time.

Thanks for your response. However, can you say the models years that have failed transmission more often? i read in some fora than 2002 upwards with 5-speed auto trans is more prone to failure. How true could that be?

Secondly, how durable is the auto transmission of Honda Odyssey 1998? How often does it need to be changed? I like the Odyssey 1998 and MPV 2001 but i'm trying to find out more about them in terms of the reliability and durability of their transmission and engines.

Will appreciate your professional advice