1997 Honda Accord

SE Sedan

2.2L 4 Cylinder Gasoline Fuel

Automatic

1HGCD5602VA198671

Clear

Front Wheel Drive

Gasoline

Vehicle Anti-Theft System

Hello, and thank you for looking at my Honda Accord. Before you go any further, please note that as stated in the title of the ad, this vehicle is being sold for the purposes of PARTS OR REPAIR ONLY. This vehicle will NOT PASS A MA STATE INSPECTION in its current state. For more specific information please read below. First, I'll start with a brief description of the vehicle: The body is in fairly good shape overall. There are no major dents or rust holes, just some minor dings and scratches throughout. There is a rust bubble on the hood (pictured) and two spots where the paint has faded on the roof (also pictured). Two center caps are missing on the left side. As far as the interior accoutrements, the car is equipped with air conditioning, power locks, windows, mirrors, and moonroof. All function properly. All switches and interior controls are intact with one exception. I had removed the factory CD player to install my own aftermarket radio, which I have since removed. You can see the radio in the pictures but please note it WILL NOT come with the vehicle. In adding this radio I cracked the front console bezel that goes around it. When I tried to put the factory radio I found it to have been "locked" from being unplugged. I left it out so the buyer can obtain any serial or model numbers they might need to unlock it. I also left the aftermarket radio mounting kit and wiring harness adapter if you choose to install your own aftermarket radio. Other than this, no cracks, burns, rips or tears in the upholstery or plastic trim. Now, for the good stuff. Here is a history of the repair work on the vehicle: 9/5/2008: I purchased the vehicle with 67,109 miles. I am the second owner per the title. 10/17/2009: Two new tires were put on the front of the car @ 78,330 miles. 1/21/2010: A new timing belt was installed as well as water pump and all the relevant gaskets, belts and seals. 1/30/2010: New fuel filter was installed @ 79,727 miles. 4/26/2010: Muffler and gasket replaced 9/18/2010: Front brake pads, rotors, hubs and bearings replaced @ 82,940 miles 3/17/2011: Power steering cooler pipe replaced @ 93,760 miles 9/9/2011: Intermediate exhaust pipe/gaskets replaced. I was informed that the flange on the converter end was also rotted but holding. At this time a Check Engine light was also addressed, trouble code P0441 (EVAP system incorrect purge flow). Both canister valves were replaced @ 104,759 miles. Now, this is where the really good stuff starts. If you read nothing else in this listing, PLEASE READ THIS!! 9/30/2011: I had scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle brought in for service due to another Check Engine light that was previously diagnosed as P0138 (downstream oxygen sensor). Also I was noticing a knocking sound coming from the engine on startup. Unfortunately, the night before my appointment the car died on the ride home and needed to be delivered to its appointment on a flatbed. 105,887 miles. What had apparently happened was that when the timing belt was previously done, no Loctite had been applied to the camshaft pulley bolt and it had backed itself out over time (most likely the cause of the knocking sound). The night it died, the pulley actually fell off, shearing the bolt and the keyway and having the practical effect of the timing belt falling off. The shop put a new pulley on and was able to get the car running again. At that time I was informed that at least one valve had been bent from the incident and that the #3 cylinder was showing low compression. They got the car running but warned me that 1) the car would NOT PASS MA STATE INSPECTION with this condition, 2) the car would use a lot more fuel at idle and run rough (which it does), and 3) that driving the car in this state for a prolonged time would cause damage to my catalytic converter. So I continued to bring the car to and from work (40+ miles each way on the highway) for a couple of weeks until I could find a car to replace it. In that time the car seemed to run fine with the exception of shaking like a tank at a stop and having mildly reduced power output overall. However, I cannot guarantee any such performance for the future. *** Please be aware if you plan on driving this vehicle home that you do so at your own risk. If you want a sure thing, bring a flatbed. I have been lucky with the car but due to the severity of the engine issues I would never guarantee it to continue. *** The shop I go to quoted a price of well over $1000 just to repair the cylinder head issue. However, that entails disassembly of the head, sending it to the machine shop, reassembly, etc. If you are particularly handy you may be able to address this issue yourself more cheaply with a trip to the junkyard and a used cylinder head. However, please be reminded that the oxygen sensor will still need to be replaced to turn out the Check Engine light and the catalytic converter will most likely need to be replaced down the road. Anyway, the vehicle is offered with clear MA title. Please contact me as soon as possible following the end of the auction to arrange payment and pickup. I would like this thing out of my driveway and paid in full within 7 days of auction's end. It is possible that I could deliver the vehicle within a very small area (it is currently located in Southbridge, MA) but PLEASE contact me before bidding to confirm that we agree on what a "small area" is. Please ask any and all questions before bidding. No allowances or negotiations will take place at vehicle pickup. Any and all arrangements for shipping must be made and paid by the buyer. That's about it, thanks again for looking and happy bidding!