Extended road trip

[vintagecarman]

My X has 133+ miles and I’m planning on taking it on approximately a 2500 mile round trip, the clutch was just replaced, oil changed and new brakes. The timing belt, water pump and all required maintenance were completed at 90k.

I’m having a mechanic check it over before the trip. I was looking for any advice on what to tell him to look for. Other than the “obvious stuff” tires belts etc.

Thanks!

 

[Larry Bastanza]

I would go through the drive line and check all ball joints/CV boots etc. for play, wear and leaks. Don't forget tie rods and tie rod ends. If the steering is tight you are probably OK. Since your car is in the mileage range it is, and since we have had repeated issues (failures) with these items, you may wish to pack an emergency kit of the following:

Ignition Switch - 35130-SL0-A01
Fuel Pump Resistor - 16717-PR7-A01 (1991-96)
Main Relay - 39400-SL0-003 (1991-94)

This will total about $150 or so (NSXCA discount pricing) and IF one of these things fails you could be stuck. All items are easily replaced with hand tools.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[drew]

Replace your water hoses! A few you can do with out, but it is difficult to reroute

A split will ruin your day and it is difficult if not impossible to check for impending failure.

Maybe bring a roll of duct tape, some wire and a couple of hose clamps. You can "mikey mouse" a lot of stuff just with those materials.

Drew

 

[vintagecarman]

?

Not to sound ignorant, where is the water hose located? I just replaced the two radiator hoses that run between the engine and firewall. One blew apart and it caused a real mess.

The high miles have never troubled me however; I’m feeling nervous about the trip. I called the locale Acura dealership and talked with the NSX tech about Larry’s advice. “He said” from his experience with the NSX he has seen very few of those suggested parts fail with out some advanced warning.

However, I will bring will a roll of duct tape, wire and a couple of hose clamps.

BTW Larry,

Thanks again for the outstanding advice on the clutch. It functioning great and I haven’t had any further problems.

 

[drew]

You have ~23 water hoses and 7 of them are critical, you have replaced 2/7. But I would replace all, if any split you might be able repair with duct tape until you get to a service station.

In general, I wouldn't worry about it too much. But since you are asking...

If you get those requested parts, you should be ok. I do disagree with your Acura tech about them not failing w/o warning, they do . My main relay failed at LAX, at the passenger drop off lane, during Memorial day. Quite the spectacle. Fortunately (after searching me, my car and an interogation with several folks, they were able to roll me into a "secure area" where I could replace my main relay (yes, I did have a spare in my trunk).

All of those parts commonly fail, should be considered a wear item and should be in your trunk (they don't take up much room either). Just do it.

Drew

 

[Larry Bastanza]

I respectfully disagree with the NSX tech about warning signs. I had a fuel pump resistor go bad at the track. I drove 4 perfect hours to get to the track, went three laps and the car died. NO WARNING. Typical symptom with the relay is the same, maybe it comes back intermittently. Not my idea of fun on a 2500 mile trip.

And what Drew said!

Do a search on this forum, it will be quite obvious

Good Luck, Enjoy the trip.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[vintagecarman]

Not one problem!

Performed flawlessly!

Tampa Bay to Niagara Falls and back, well over 3500 miles. I did replace the rear tires “go figure” plus oil change. I couldn’t believe that there wasn’t a set of 255/40 17R Z rated tires in the Niagara Falls or buffalo area so I had to order them from the Tire Rack.

On the way back, I made the 1,300-mile non-stop trip in just under 18 hours, excluding four fast pit stops for gas. Time after time I was astonished by the responsiveness, handling, road manners and ergonomics of my NSX. I’ve purchased and sold eighteen NSX’s and through out the trip I was still blown away and thrilled to be driving such an awesome automobile.

I swear that it’s driving better now than when I left.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Cool

Wish you said where you were going, you probably were within 20 minutes of me if you took the NY State Thurway. Glad is was a smooth ride.

LarryB