How do the 4 cylinder engines hold up in the Accord? Are there any problems with the 4 cyl. engine?
The 4 cyl has a timing chain. Which will last life of engine. In theory. V6 has timing belt. Which can break. And needs to be changed at 90k miles. You pay for that service. A 4cyl motor is technically easier on trans. It seems v6 accords are harder on trans. Maybe a perception.
For that generation, the 4-cylinder was the better option (long term). The car steers lighter and the V6 had a transmission defect. I’ve owned two of V6s. We still have one of them.
Timing chains do not last the life of the engine. Nor do the timing chain guides.
If they did, there would be no reason for parts stores to stock and sell them.
Tester
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I think the idea is that ideally you never have to change the timing chain. The vast majority of the time, there’s no scheduled replacement interval for a timing chain like there is for a timing belt.
It all depends on how the previous owners (there could have been more than one with a 17 year old car) maintained it, and how they drove it. If you can get hard copies of the maintenance records, that would be really good, but it is rarely possible… unfortunately.
In the absence of maintenance records, it is imperative that you have this car inspected by a mechanic of your choice, prior to purchase. Even if you can get the maintenance records, it is still a very good idea to get a pre-purchase inspection.
Spending ~$100 on that type of inspection could save you from buying a money pit.
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I don’t recall much difference in the number of posts here about problematic 4 cyl Hondas compared to 6 cyl versions. In general Honda’s seem to get pretty good reports here for reliability. OP can search through prior forum posts to better assess the situation, link upper right this page.
A 2006 Accord is going to have the sort of problem most OBD II cars of that era have. Software updates needed to address p0420, p030x, navigations system problems, valve cover oil leaks, instruments misbehaving, weird suspension system noises, weather-strip leaks, airbags, A/C problems, battery/charging system problems, but I doubt there is anything peculiar to Honda Accords equipped w/4 cylinder engines.
Overall, seems like a pretty good choice for a 13 year old car.
Boilerplate for buying used cars: Suggest to consult Consumer Reports Used Car Guide to see what they have to say. Recommendations here, before purchasing a used car pay your own mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection. Make sure check engine light is on with key in on, engine not started. Then it should immediately turn off after starting engine. Same test applies for dashboard oil warning light. Make sure there are no unexplained diagnostic codes and that all readiness monitor are in the “complete” state.
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The big problem area would be transmission, if it was a 2000-2003, but Honda appears to have gotten that fixed by 2006 according to stats on carcomplaints.com.
I would still have the fluid changed with honda-spec (from the dealer) fluid if I bought one.
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