2002 Honda Civic Shudder at 20mph and Noises

2002 HONDA CIVIC
106,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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LISZT85
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The brakes squeal. The dealer from whom I bought the car told me that someone might have changed the brakes. I had the car checked and the mechanic told me that it was possible. There's black brake dust all over the front left wheel.

More serious and annoying is a squeaking sound that comes from the front right side of the vehicle (seems to be coming from the wheel/struts). The squeaking occurs at lower speeds and disappears at higher speeds (>40mph).

After I had an oil change and general inspection done, the car has suddenly started exhibiting a shudder at around 25mph. It doesn't happen all the time but when it does, the car shudders for 2-3 seconds and it seems like something is banging against the front axle and the entire car vibrates.

I have to say that the tires that are on the car are quite cheap quality.. I need to change the tires but can changing the tires and putting on premium tires solve any of these problems? What else do you suggest I do? Oh, and once, I also observed that the tires gave out a burnt rubber smell.

Thanks.[img:c94105bc15]http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/549863_012_1.jpg[/img:c94105bc15]
Jul 13, 2010 at 7:12 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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HI there,

Thank you for the donation,

You get what you pay for in this world, cheap tyres bare a good example, they can squeal, vibrate and the smell is actually tyre rubber literally rubbing off onto the road, (almost like when you use a pencil eraser and you have to dust away the rubber) I would be getting some good quality Tyres, they will save you money in the long term, when done, let us know how that effects the problems you have. The brake squeal can also be cheap pads full or resin, this causes the rotors to glaze up and squeal, the excessive brake dust is also a sign on cheap soft pads, get quality pads and you will require a disc re machine as well.

mark (mhpautos)
Jul 13, 2010 at 7:26 PM
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LISZT85
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Thanks Mark. I'll get back to you when I've changed the tires. Any particular brand that you might recommend for my 02 civic? I've heard from online forums that the noise overall reduces when "premium tires" are used.. but I do not know what "premium tires" are.

I'll ask a new question once I change the tires and put on a brand that you recommend.

Thanks.
Vishnu
Jul 13, 2010 at 9:29 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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Hi there,

As i live in Australia i do not know what options you have there, I would go talk to a tyre retailer and get there opinion on what is best suited to your need, i think under the circumstances that will be your best option.

mark (mhpautos)
Jul 13, 2010 at 11:28 PM
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LISZT85
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Another problem I forgot to mention was this:

the check engine light came on 2 weeks after I bought the car. The code was P1457. I had it reset. It came back on 2 days later. It says Manufacturer auxiliary emission controls.

The dealer who checked online told me that it is probably an evap valve problem. What do you think?
Jul 17, 2010 at 12:07 PM
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MHPAUTOS
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Yes , i feel that it well may be something to do with the evap system, this will have to be checked first hand by a mechanic.

mark (mhpautos)
Jul 17, 2010 at 12:16 PM
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LISZT85
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Hi,

I ended up selling the civic. I now have a question about a car that I'm planning to buy, Its a used Toyota Camry XLE (2000) V6 3.0 with 118K miles on it.

The seller told me that the check engine light came on yesterday. He took it to the dealer who told him that the charcoal canister needed to be replaced but told him that it was not problematic if he didn't replace it. Is this true? The scan gave up a code of 6 something that I do not know..

Thanks.
Aug 20, 2010 at 9:21 AM
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MHPAUTOS
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Hi there,

The charcoal canister should be replaced if it is blocked or other wise faulty, if it is blocked you may get EVAP fault codes and you may end up with fuel tank back pressure and no venting which will result in problems filling the tank with fuel, I would not put this off.

mark (mhpautos)
Aug 20, 2010 at 9:27 AM
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LISZT85
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Thanks! Just a few more questions if you don't mind, before I go ahead and buy that car.

1) The car has 118K miles. The seller replaced the timing belt at around 90K. When does it need to be replaced next?

2) The car pulls to the left slightly. Is this a front alignment issue? All cars I've test driven have this problem and I'm thinking this is not too serious. How expensive is it to get it aligned? Please tell me if this is problematic.

3) The car has new brakes and a new windshield. He has receipts for all maintenance work done while the car was in his possession.

4) The seller will give me a $400 discount from the kbb good condition price so that I can replace the charcoal canister.

Does this sound like a good deal to you? Would you buy a 2000 Toyota Camry XLE (V6 3.0, leather)with these conditions?

Thanks.

3)
Aug 20, 2010 at 9:43 AM
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MHPAUTOS
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The timing belt will be due at 180K the brake pulling by be tyres, tyre pressures, sticky calipers, alignment problems. an alignment will take about 1 Hr so check local rates, as for if the car is wort that price, you really should spend a few dollars and have it professionally inspected first hand, with out seeing the car no one can say if it is good or not, basically that model is quite good and they are very reliable as long as you do the regular maintenance, i would never let any of my customers buy a used car with out getting a look at at it my self, just remember there is a saying that goes with used car sales, caveat emptor.

mark (mhpautos)
Aug 20, 2010 at 9:59 AM
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LISZT85
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Thanks! I do plan to get it inspected by a mechanic.

Thanks again for all the great advice.
Aug 20, 2010 at 10:08 AM
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MHPAUTOS
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Your welcome, thank you for using 2carpros, you feed back is always welcome.

mark (mhpautos)
Aug 20, 2010 at 10:14 AM
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LISZT85
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So I bought the camry. I got back home and noticed that the coolant was empty. I feel stupid that I didn't check it yesterday before buying it. I did take it to Firestone though and had the car checked by a mechanic. He told me that the car was in great condition except for the tires. Do you think he would have told me if the coolant was empty? If that's the case, do you think there might be a leak of some kind? If so, what must I do?

Thanks.
Aug 22, 2010 at 9:53 AM
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MHPAUTOS
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Hi there,

Checking the coolant and also checking for any leaks should be part of the pre purchase inspection, i do hope it is nothing serious, you will have to get the cooling system pressur etested to locate the leak, start here.

mark (mhpautos)
Aug 22, 2010 at 6:58 PM