So, I’ve been messing around with cars for a while, and I recently got my hands on a 2016 Accord V6 with a manual transmission. Let me tell you, it’s a pretty sweet ride, but it definitely needed some TLC. I figured I’d share my experience getting it up to snuff, in case anyone else is thinking of picking one up or just wants to see what I did.
First Impressions and Getting Started
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First off, finding a V6 Accord with a manual is kind of a rare thing these days. Most people go for the automatics. When I finally found one, it was in decent shape, but it clearly hadn’t been babied. The clutch felt a little soft, the shifter was a bit sloppy, and it just needed some general maintenance.
My first step was to give it a good once-over. I checked all the fluids – oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, everything. The oil was a bit dark, so I knew an oil change was in order. I also inspected the tires, brakes, and suspension. Everything looked okay, but not perfect.
Diving into the Mechanical Stuff
The first real project was tackling the clutch and shifter. I started by bleeding the clutch to see if that would firm it up. It helped a little, but it still felt spongy. So, I figured I’d replace the clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder. It’s a bit of a pain to get to everything, but with some patience and a few YouTube videos, I managed to get it done.
- Removed the air intake and battery to get more room.
- Disconnected the hydraulic lines from the master and slave cylinders.
- Unbolted the old cylinders and installed the new ones.
- Reconnected everything and bled the system again. Big improvement!
Next up was the shifter. It felt really loose, like stirring a pot of soup. I ordered a short shifter kit online. It came with new bushings and a shorter throw shifter. Installing it was pretty straightforward. I just had to remove the center console, unbolt the old shifter, and bolt in the new one. The difference was night and day. The shifts were so much tighter and more precise.
General Maintenance and Finishing Touches
With the major mechanical stuff sorted, I moved on to some general maintenance. I changed the oil and filter, replaced the air filter, and installed new spark plugs. I also flushed the coolant and replaced it with fresh stuff. It’s always a good idea to do this on a used car, just to be sure everything is in good shape.
Finally, I gave it a good wash and wax. It’s amazing what a little cleaning can do. The paint was actually in pretty good condition underneath all the grime.
Overall, I’m really happy with how the Accord turned out. It’s a fun car to drive, and it’s definitely got some pep with that V6. It took some work to get it there, but it was totally worth it. If you’re thinking about getting one of these, just be prepared to put in a little elbow grease. It’s a rewarding project, for sure!
