1997 Honda Del sol problems

Common 1997 Honda Del sol problems

The Honda Civic Del Sol, produced from 1992 to 1998, is known for its unique targa top design and sporty handling. However, like any car, it has its share of common problems that owners have reported over the years. This article will discuss these issues in detail, based on complaints from Honda Del Sol owners.

• Bad Engine Mounts May Cause Vibration, Roughness, and Rattle: Another common problem with the Honda Civic Del Sol is related to its engine mounts. Over time, these mounts can wear out, leading to excessive vibration, roughness, and rattling noises, especially during acceleration or deceleration. This issue can be caused by the car's age, high mileage, or simply the normal wear and tear of the engine mounts. Replacing the worn-out mounts can help alleviate this problem, but it can be a costly repair, as it may require removing the engine to access the mounts.

• Warped Front Brake Rotors: Some Honda Civic Del Sol owners have reported issues with warped front brake rotors, which can cause vibration and noise during braking. This issue can be caused by excessive heat buildup, aggressive driving, or improper brake maintenance. Replacing the warped rotors with new ones can help solve this problem, but it's essential to address the underlying cause to prevent recurrence.

• Gas Sloshing and Fuel Gauge Inaccuracy: Some Del Sol owners have reported hearing gas sloshing around in the fuel tank, especially when turning the car quickly. This issue can be caused by a loose or ill-fitting gas cap, which may allow air to enter the tank and cause the gas to slosh around. Additionally, some owners have reported inaccuracies with the fuel gauge, which may not accurately reflect the amount of fuel in the tank. This issue can be caused by a faulty fuel sender unit or wiring issues.

• Trunk Latch Issues: Some Honda Civic Del Sol owners have reported issues with the trunk latch, which may not work consistently or at all. This issue can be caused by worn-out or damaged plastics around the latch, which may prevent it from engaging properly. A temporary fix for this issue is to use WD-40 in the keyhole for the trunk latch problem, but a more permanent solution would be to replace the damaged plastics or the entire latch assembly.

• Interior Quality and Lack of Features: Some Del Sol owners have criticized the car's interior quality, which may feature low-quality materials and a lack of features compared to other cars in its class. This issue can be especially noticeable in base models, which may not be equipped with power side mirrors, passenger airbags, or power steering during the first three model years. Additionally, some owners have reported that the car's cabin design is simple and lacks the gadgets from its time period.

• Marketing and Branding Confusion: Some Del Sol owners have reported confusion about the car's marketing and branding, especially regarding its engine options. For example, the 1994 model received a flagship 1.6-liter DOHC engine with 160 horsepower (119 kilowatts), which was offered in the VTEC version. However, the Si variant positioned below it technically featured a VTEC engine too, which led to some customer confusion.

In conclusion, the Honda Civic Del Sol is a unique and sporty car that has its share of common problems, especially related to its removable roof, engine mounts, brakes, fuel system, and interior quality. While some of these issues can be costly to repair, many can be prevented or alleviated through proper maintenance and care. Overall, the Del Sol remains a popular choice among car enthusiasts and collectors, thanks to its unique design, sporty handling, and Honda reliability.

What engines do 1997 Del Sols have?

1997 Honda del Sol Specs, Features & Options

1 of 3 del Sol S Coupe 2D	2 of 3 del Sol Si Coupe 2D	3 of 3 del Sol VTEC Coupe 2D
See Pricing See Cars in Stock	See Pricing See Cars in Stock	See Pricing See Cars in Stock
106 @ 6200 RPM	127 @ 6600 RPM	160 @ 7600 RPM
Engine
4-Cyl, 1.6 Liter	4-Cyl, VTEC, 1.6 Liter	4-Cyl, VTEC, 1.6 Liter

Does the Del Sol handle well?

Well, it wasn't the worst sports car of all time, that's for sure. In fact, it was a pretty entertaining vehicle with precise handling, despite its standard tiny 13-inch wheels, good braking, and enough power to attack corners on curvy roads.

Are Honda Del Sols rare?

Looking at the facts, it's safe to say the Honda Del Sol is a relatively uncommon car. In its five years of production, Honda managed to sell roughly 75,000 Del Sols. For some perspective, it sold over 1.4 million Civics during that samehalf-decade .

Why did they stop making Honda Del Sol?

There were several reasons why Honda stopped making the Del Sol, such as: Plummeting of Sales: Sales started going down for the Del Sol around the middle of the 1990s when the Mazda Miata and other cars that competed with it became more popular comparatively.