Went to the dealer to check on the progress and look at the damage. Something caused catasrophic damage to the #4 cylinder and liner... 2200 miles. Honda is replacing the bottom end. The dealer, Honda of Lisle, has been incredible through it all, answering every question. Also, Ben from our region's tech support office is amazing. He stayed on the phone with me for 2 hours *after hours* explaining everything and making me feel comfortable with the repair. I'm very pleased with the Honda service experience.

Scored piston:


Damaged liner (notice the glass smooth finish on the others):


Empty engine bay:


From underneath:


Head on the table:


Pile 'o parts:


Many more pics here

Can't wait to get her back, even though there's nowhere to drive with 6 more inches of snow on the ground. But seeing her in pieces is painful... I'll be much more at ease when the engine isn't spread across three tables at the dealership!

-Jason Saini . Chicago, IL



[This message has been edited by Jason Saini (edited December 18, 2000).]

 

excellent pics.

and, another reason to get the 7year/100k miles warranty! just in case! ya just never know what might happen down the line.

 

Did Honda figure out what caused the damage in #4 cylinder?

 

Great pictures but I was expecting the motor to be out of the car which is what they will have to do to "replace the bottom end". A bottom end "rebuild" requires replacement of bearings, seals and other work to rods, pistons and cylinders. Are they shipping over a complete bottom end including the block and mating it to your head and other engine externals. If that's the case, I'd be suprised that they didn't include the head which would truly give you a new engine.

Good luck. John O

 

I'm surprised also. I would have thought that Honda would want that engine whole in order to figure out what went wrong. Also, it's not clear from looking at the photos that the cylinder liner can be replaced, and boring it may not be enough to remove the damage. If they have to replace the block (along with the crank, rods, bearing, etc.), then it would seem cheaper and easier to just give you a new engine.

Great pictures, and thanks for sharing. Good luck, and please let us know how it comes out.

 

Not many people know it, but I had the same problem at around 5K miles. Got a brand new short block (no cylinder head) and so far so good. The problem was atributed to lack of lubrication at high rpms.

Now. The first block used to consume oil. The scond one, right from the first mile, never consumed any oil, even at the track.

The first block also felt stronger (power).

 

How many miles are on the car? It is a 2001 right?

My Wife's car got a new short block because a small pourous section. (leaking coolant)
Honda replaced everything below the head. Her car is fine now so I think yours will be as good as new when you get it back. Well lets hope yours is better than new.

Her engine on the shop floor:


You can see more pictures of my wife's disasembled engine here: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?...19900&a=7533788

 

I am glad to hear your experience was good at Honda of Lisle. I bought my S there and have only had normal maintenance work since. Glad to have another S owner in the area.

 

That type of piston damage is usually associated with excessive piston to cylinder clearance for the chosen materials. Different materials and alloys expand at different rates when heated (such as the block and the piston), and when there is excessive clearance either when cold or hot the piston skirt 'rocks' back and forth in the cylinder, creating excessive friction and heat in the process. You can also see that the piston rings were wearing the cylinder walls all the way around the perimeter at certain points along the way. This indicates a lack of lubrication, probably caused by the heat. My guess is that a piston of the wrong size group (manufacturing tolerance) was installed at the factory. Be sure to have them check the valve guides in that particular cylinder for excessive wear due to the heat generated. They are probably shot too, and may cause trouble later, within 50K miles or so. Just my opinion.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rossi:
[B]That type of piston damage is usually associated with excessive piston to cylinder clearance for the chosen materials.