Civic EG

Ok I got a long trip ahead of me to Ohio. Its approx 12 hours drive, just under 800 miles of all day engine warming, 80-90 mph dash from the coast to the midwest.

Heres the trouble. Oil is oozing out of my Vtec solenoid because of a broken bolt (being fixed tomorrow) and I'm a huge worrier. The engine and all major engine components looked brand new when I bought the car making me suspect a motor swap. Its a D16Z6 motor, ex trim, 5 spd with 206K on the oddometer...but the car drives like its got tons of life left.

The oozing caused ( I think) oil to get on a belt which makes a squeaking sound when started cold. I checked the belts I could see and they're good. WTF is the sound? Is the slight burning smell the oil or something I cant see? Has anyone had the squeak at start? The revs are gonna be staying in the 4k range and Im worried about my engine running perfectly.

PS: I travel heavily armed so if anyone is thinking about jacking me with bogus information in the hope that I blow up on 95N, I'll be ready for you. I'm also very paranoid!

Isn't the VTEC solenoid on the passenger side away from the belts? Anyway, just change the belts. I used a Checkers brand belt and it started squeeking at start soon after so I bought a Honda one and never had the problem since. If you don't want to it is not necessary as long as it slips only on start.

Just make sure you clean the area where the oil leak was before you re assemble and be sure the leak is fixed and do an oil change prior to the trip. The smell may have been the leak but unless it dripped on your exhaust system, I doubt it.

Also, depending on how armed you are I'd check the laws because I know my concealed permit only covered my ass in a few states and if you are going to be hauling here and there you don't want some redneck cop to find you illegally packin while burnin through his county.

might want to pack a few tools like a wrench or ratchet & socket set just in case you end up having to replace the belt 1/2 way through your trip.

Also a full size spare isn't a bad idea, depending on your tire life. (if you have any extra wheels)

Bring an extra qt of oil (especially since it is leaking) some coolant. be sure your brake, clutch & washer fluid is topped off (it's dirty up here)

Excellent advise. I just needed to see it from some of my colleagues. Makes fixing things better cause I got the back up. All leaks have stopped, and the belts are all good cept for the slip at start. When I get back Honda belts will go in, good call.
Yea I got most of the weapons in the trunk secured and the ammo in the cabin with me so I look like I'm actually transporting them safely..except for my pistol which is in a holster between the seat and the center console. I hear ya about the permit issue and the only problem i'll have is in VA, which I have to drive through. I put octane booster in my car with a NOS logo on it so I think I can outrun em haha! Teal I might visit you for a minute

These past four months I went from San Diego to Albuquerque and back. San Diego to Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City to Albuquerque. Albuquerque to San Diego. And then another San Diego to Salt Lake City just a few days ago. Each of those trips is about the same length as what you're about to do.

This last trip I was making over 40mpg and that had me wishing I had one of those rally setups where you piss in a hose and it drips out the bottom. I wont stop for anything but gas, and I only had to make two stops.

I don't know what you need guns for. Guns are statistically most likely to be used against you or to harm an innocent person by accident. Besides, you can never use it except in Texas. Only thing I carry is a nice T ball bat, and that's just to diffuse arguments.

Bring food and drinks. Something made for room temperature. I like chips to keep me awake crunching. Make sure your spare is actually pressured up. I traded mine to some stranded lady because hers was empty. I thought I would have more to add but these cars are so damn reliable, there really isn't a whole lot to worry about.

I just realized after reading that I never said why I was taking so many guns with me! I'm going to a large indoor gun club with some other enthusiasts to try various rifles and techniques! I sounded like a mad man! And Teal, I'm sorry if I scared you cause I sounded like a crazy person. Back to cars! The only thing that bothered me really was that my car has never seen snow and all the bad stuff that comes with it. I'm just afraid to ruin it really. But cars are for driving. Thanks for paying attention to this rambling post

You're a nut! I was like, damn, this guy rolls hard! Like maybe you were paying a visit to the ex, and going out in a blaze of glory.

I had the same thoughts in my head suspended lol.

LMAO, I was starting to wonder the same. Figured you had a bad experience once before with a car jacker.

Haha! Man I'm an idiot sorry for the confusion with the whole gun thing. I made it back, the car performed great. One thing happened. As soon as I hit Ohio, the car would drip a small amount of oil on the ground under the pass. side of the engine. This got me tinkering. I have no clue where it was coming from. I drove the whole way back at 3-3500 rpm flying around and stopped to check oil often and no loss of oil! Trans axle leak? Main seal? My guess is the colder temp in Ohio shrank something cause when I got back, the leak "fixed" itself. Ideas?

PS: Sorry I couldn't come to visit teal, I was pressed for time. Next trip up I'll stop by for sure.