How to fill low auto tranny oil. 86 prelude
I cant find a dip stick for my 1986 si honda prelude. Tranmission oil is leaking a bit and I want to put more in. It's a automatic. Can someone please help.
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1986 Honda Prelude Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The 1986 Honda Prelude stayed largely the same from the previous year.
The base 1986 Honda Prelude came with a 100-horsepower, 1.8-liter four cylinder engine. The Si upgraded to a 2.0-liter. It also had a spoiler and plenty of interior features, like power windows and doors, cruise control, and a graphic equalizer on the sound system.
1986 Honda Prelude owners love their cars, saying they are extremeley reliable, suprisingly peppy, and very fun to drive. Some drivers have had a problem with rust and flaking paint, and many complain that the backseat is way too small.
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 1986 Honda Prelude
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by Anonymous
Aug 23, 2012
I bought my 1986 Prelude in February of 2003 for $1500 cash. It had 145,000 miles on it. Two days ago (writing in August of 2012), it blew its head gasket right at 199,000 miles. I'm sorry to be junking it, because it was a great car for a long, long time. Averaged around 26 MPG, had good power and handling, and used very little oil or coolant until maybe a year ago.
I did have one major repair about two years ago; had to replace the alternator and a few other things. That cost about $900. But other than that, it's only needed maybe $100-200 or so in repairs every year. I took it to Burning Man three times (tip for cargo capacity: take out the passenger seat!) and on a 2000-mile trip three years ago. Worked fine every time.
All in all, the best used car I ever owned. I don't think I would buy one now, but in 2003 I got a fantastic bargain.Aug 23, 2012
by Anonymous
Feb 21, 2012
i like everything about the car apart from the back seats and how hard it is to find parts for, ive taken it to races completely stock and it has done what others would say isnt possible and exceeded my expectations in every way, for an old car it goes really quick ive reached 210km/h on the track so it still has alot of go for a car with over 260,000 kms on the clockFeb 21, 2012
by Стефан Ф
Oct 24, 2011
Sporty but not a sports car. Electrically and mechanically reliable, but rust sets in quick to exhaust and brakes. Had a very cool wedge shape style in the 80s with very supportive front seats. Big enough inside to sleep an adult or move a student, and still do 200km/hrOct 24, 2011
User rating:
by Anonymous
Aug 23, 2012
I bought my 1986 Prelude in February of 2003 for $1500 cash. It had 145,000 miles on it. Two days ago (writing in August of 2012), it blew its head gasket right at 199,000 miles. I'm sorry to be junking it, because it was a great car for a long, long time. Averaged around 26 MPG, had good power and handling, and used very little oil or coolant until maybe a year ago.
I did have one major repair about two years ago; had to replace the alternator and a few other things. That cost about $900. But other than that, it's only needed maybe $100-200 or so in repairs every year. I took it to Burning Man three times (tip for cargo capacity: take out the passenger seat!) and on a 2000-mile trip three years ago. Worked fine every time.
All in all, the best used car I ever owned. I don't think I would buy one now, but in 2003 I got a fantastic bargain.Aug 23, 2012
by Anonymous
Feb 21, 2012
i like everything about the car apart from the back seats and how hard it is to find parts for, ive taken it to races completely stock and it has done what others would say isnt possible and exceeded my expectations in every way, for an old car it goes really quick ive reached 210km/h on the track so it still has alot of go for a car with over 260,000 kms on the clockFeb 21, 2012
by Стефан Ф
Oct 24, 2011
Sporty but not a sports car. Electrically and mechanically reliable, but rust sets in quick to exhaust and brakes. Had a very cool wedge shape style in the 80s with very supportive front seats. Big enough inside to sleep an adult or move a student, and still do 200km/hrOct 24, 2011
by Steve S
Sep 17, 2011
Fun to drive- heavy clutch made it feel like a racing car. Really had great build quality. Interior and exterior fit and finish were top notch. This was probably the best car you could buy in 1986 for under 20K. The short throw stick shift coupled with the 2.0 PGMI Honda engine made the car feel lively. I believe that the stock engine put out about 140 horsepower.Sep 17, 2011
by Chris L
Aug 22, 2009
Best car ever, still able to spin tires and is rust free. Makes amazingly sharp turns for the age. Almost maintenance free. Never had any reliability problems. More fun to drive than the mazdaspeed 6 I test drove, smoooooth clutch =DAug 22, 2009
by Bobbi P
Jul 04, 2009
It's in pretty bad condition right now, since it is 24 years old. Fun car to rip around in, not much speed at all, but it's quick. Pretty decent handling. I've had to get several things repaired: speedometer, door handles, and alternator being the main things. Doesn't contain sound very well. It would be very good on gas if it didn't rev and idle at 2000+ rpms. Exterior is in rough shape, a bit of rust, paint is fading, needs new light covers. Interior is gorgeous, seats and dash are in immaculate condition.Jul 04, 2009
by Kyle B
May 18, 2009
Old car, performed well, had low km, had lots of rust so ugly lol.
performance good for its day brakes sucked tho.
it needed repairs when it got really old.
gas mileage awesome.
fun car, modded it a bit.
BallinMay 18, 2009
by Alexander W
Feb 19, 2009
My great aunt's tired old Honda. Bought for way too much money, fixed up for even more. Slow, scary, terrible in almost every way. Performance, although good for the time when it was made, was not helped by twenty years spent sitting in a car park. It seemed to burn oil and gas in a one to five ratio. Hills were tricky.Feb 19, 2009
by Anonymous
May 09, 2008
great car with good gas mileage but when there is a problem it can be a strange one.May 09, 2008
by Katja M
Apr 04, 2008
Well, it was old, when I drove it, gave it away after a few months (also because I was expecting kid no. 3)...Apr 04, 2008
by Matt W
Mar 16, 2008
There aren't many of these left out there, so don't bother looking into this car so much.Mar 16, 2008
by Jon K
Mar 05, 2008
Bought this in 1999 with 190,000kms, automatic. Vehicle was hard to heat in the winter (possibly heater core) very badly rusted in the rear fenders and floors after the second year we owned it. Mar 05, 2008
by Matt M
Feb 23, 2008
as mentioned, it was the best car I have owned for the engine was still good and the acceleration of the vehicle and turning is acceptable.Feb 23, 2008
by Jeff M
Jan 08, 2008
this car can go from 0 to 100km in seconds it handled great Jan 08, 2008
by Tracey M
Dec 28, 2007
Honda were onto a winner when they designed this. Easy to drive, reliable, economical, and not bad looking either. The newer versions even come in a racy Type R. Ours is a great car to drive, but not too fast or flash.Dec 28, 2007
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86’ Honda Prelude SI
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Why my car manual transmission goes in to gear whit out clutch when the engine is on but the car won't move ??
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Can't find a replacement part for an 1986 Prelude so far. Have seen some for a 1988 Prelude. Would this work in an 1986?
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Top Comparisons
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1986 Honda Prelude Pricing
Original MSRP
$11,790 to $14,593Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
Equalizer: graphic · AM/FM radio
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent