2003 Honda Civic

http://Mercedes-Benz.autoboardz.com/UK-Civic-Isuzu-Diesel-ftopict200753.html (UK Civic Isuzu Diesel Question)
Am looking to buy a UK 2003 Honda Civic 1.7 cDTi which I believe has the Isuzu sourced engine with 56k miles on it. My question is whether the Isuzu engine is reliable or whether there are any known issues with it? Am currently using a Ford Focus TDCi which, engine wise, is fantastic but I am..
« don't all london taxi's have isuzu diesels? those things do millions of miles from what i hear. »
« Yeah they do but am not sure - certainly the older ones had Perkins engines but not sure about Isuzu. »

http://Mercedes-Benz.autoboardz.com/2003-Honda-Civic-Heater-Working-Properly-ftopict202173.html (2003 Honda Civic Heater Not Working Properly)
The heater in my 2003 Honda Civic only heats up after continuous driving for 15+ minutes. Additionally, even after highway driving for 2+ hours, the heater sometimes blows cold air when I slow down and do city driving. Any ideas?
« when did you last check the coolant level in the radiator? it needs to be full to the top. the expansion bottle needs to be to the "max" mark too. »
« Well, to the "max" mark when fully warm. That's why it's an 'expansion bottle.' Mike »
« no, it needs to be at "max" when cold. that line is less than half way down the bottle. the /rest/ of the bottle is for expansion. do you keep your oil at the bottom line or the top? »
« Coolant level in expansion bottle is at max when cold. I already checked that. Oil level is between the top and bottom lines. Oil has been completely changed since the problem was first encounter.. »

http://Mercedes-Benz.autoboardz.com/2003-Honda-Civic-maintenance-schedule-ftopict245780.html (2003 Honda Civic maintenance schedule)
What is the proper oil change interval for an '03 Civic. The owners manual and dealership have to different opinions. The manual says 20,000kms or 12 months, the dealer says 8,000kms or 4 months. Is the dealership just tring to take my friend for a ride by discounting what the owner's manual says?..
« In Canada you follow the severe duty schedule, 6 months or 8,000 km whichever comes first. The 4 month interval that the dealership is recommending is just so they can make more money. As long as .. »
« If dealers and oil change business can get away welling the idea of changing your oil every month or every 1,000 mile they'll do it. Just follow your normal or severe schedule, whichever fits your s.. »
« The local Honda dealership recommends that people change the oil every 3000 miles. If you plan to keep the car for many many years, I suggest that you change the oil every 3000 miles. If you plan to.. »
« Yes! Follow the manual; Honda engineers know what they are doing. -- Bob Burns Mill Hall PA »

http://Mercedes-Benz.autoboardz.com/Honda-Civic-Maintenance-ftopict252243.html (Honda Civic Maintenance)
What is the proper oil change interval for an '03 Civic. The owners manual and dealership have to different opinions. The manual says 20,000kms or 12 months, the dealer says 8,000kms or 4 months. Is the dealership just tring to take my friend for a ride by discounting what the owner's manual says?..