Car buying - HX/Echo/Focus, correct values

[justjohn]

Okay so this is technically more car advice than ecomodder advice, but I figure you guys probably know more about lean burn hondas than any other group/forum I'm in:

Going to check out the 96 HX on Friday. What sorts of things should I be looking for? My car knowledge is improving, but still pretty basic. Anything in particular that you guys know of that tends to go bad on these or anything like that?

[JMac]

Anything in particular that you guys know of that tends to go bad on these or anything like that?

Look for rust inside the wheel wells. Also, make sure that thing shifts into 3rd gear nicely. I would try to shift it fairly quickly and see if it grinds at all. The cold air intake makes me suspicious that this car was probably modded heavily at some point.

You might ask around about how to make sure it's lean burn is working. Not sure you'd be able to tell just from driving it. I'm sure the community can help us with that. In order for lean burn to function correctly, the HX needs:
*The special air sensor
*The stock ECU
*The special catalytic converter setup

Is that all correct?
JMac

[justjohn]

Yeah, I'd obviously want the lean burn working. :P Actually a little paranoid now that you say that because while he did specifically say it has the d16y5 (hx engine) he didn't mention anything about the mpg it gets which you'd think he would with gas prices shooting up.

He has replaced the stock exhaust. That could actually disable lean burn somehow? Seems more like it would just make it likely to fail emission standards.

As far as being modded, it's got a handful of mods on it right now but I can hardly see it being used as a street racer with a d16y5 engine in it. My impression was that he was just doing stuff to it to make it seem cool. (Smoked headlights and such)

Edit:
Although he did put strut supports and a rear tie support. That does suggest he wanted to drive it more like a race car. :/

[JMac]

He has replaced the stock exhaust. That could actually disable lean burn somehow?

The short answer is: I'm not completely sure, but if they pulled the catalytic converter off that car, then I'm pretty sure lean burn will not be functional. A lot of those guys will pull the cat out and put on a "test pipe" to supposedly get a little more horsepower. I'm pretty sure not having a cat is illegal in every state, but if you don't have inspections you may never get caught, unless of course you move to a state that does.

Anyways, I think there are some sensors in the cat with the HX which tell it yes or no for lean burn. Can any of you HXperts comment?

HTH,
JMac