Ok, so today my 'engine' supposedly blew. I need your opinion's guys as to how this would happen. Here's the story:

So Sunday (3/7/2010) I purchase a 2007 Honda s2000 "AS-IS" with ~61k miles. Today Wednesday (3/10/2010) my engine 'blows' up. This is an ap2 motor, completely stock with the exception to a cold air intake which was installed prior to me purchasing the vehicle.

Anyways, today during lunch break at work I go to drop off some paperwork for a friend(I work at a bank). Go up a hill and down to a small turn (I'm not driving hard at all maybe ~5-6rpm shifts MAX) and during the turn I put the car into neutral and brake to make the turn. After the turn traveling at about ~20-30mph I put the car back into 3rd to continue driving. Then my engine bogs out and dies. First I think it's the battery cable or something loose - I check, my radio works, top goes down and up. Then I check the coolant and oil, all there. Dipstick reading shows about an inch up yellow oil(don't know if this is the problem). So I get it towed to the dealership I purchased the car from. They do an inspection, look it over and find that the motor is 'seized.' The mechanics say they cannot give me a specific diagnosis until my motor is 'taken' apart. The holes at the top of the motor (don't know what it's called) are empty, nothing to show anything happened there. Oil is drained, no metal scraps come out. The car just does not start. They then try to get to the lower 'flywheel' with a wrench to take it apart and it is completely shut.

Now they are claiming that I "over-revved" the motor and am responsible for 12k+ in damages. They said I drove it way too hard. I've had the car for 3 days and less then 100 miles. I cannot believe this.. Does anyone here think they sold me a lemon? They are claiming that I mishifted blah blah blah, well the manager there is but the mechanics declined to comment saying they need to see the engine apart to give me a proper diagnosis. What did I do wrong guys? Anyone want to shed some light on this issue?

Would be much appreciated

 

That sucks. Sounds like you got sold a lemon. Get a lawyer.

Unless you misshifted.

 

I didn't mis-shift - I put it in 3rd @ 20-30mph. Nothing wrong at all. In fact, the road the car died at is less then a block. Maybe 3 houses long IF that. The F22c is capable of way more abuse I would assume.

After more research I am leaning towards the fact that the dealership which sold me the car did not put synthetic oil in it prior to the sale. It could've been just regular motor oil which is not meant for the S. Would this help me at all if this is true?

Thanks fellas

 

i don't think engine oil is the problem here, that's very unlikely. it's hard to diagnosed the problem without being able to see your engine. however, i'm sure they sold you a lemon. GL!

 

Man that sucks. I also say hire an attorney if they don't fix it 100%

 

Yellow oil means water in the oil which is very bad. Sounds like you bought someone's blown head gasket. Most dealer's purchase there used cars at auction anyway so they probably got the car that way. If you run an engine with water in the oil for any length of time the bearings will fail. I don't know where you live but most states have some sort of lemon law's to protect consumer's from this sort of thing. Definately consult an attorney for your legal rights. Good luck. Next time you may want to have an independant shop check the car before you purchase used. We do this at my shop for 20$ you would be amazed what we find from so called reputable dealers.

 

Some oils are yellowish and doesn't necessarily mean it's mixed with water. I'm running Castrol Syntec full synthetic right now and it has a prominent yellow tint. Just saying...

OP, was this purchased from a Honda dealer?

 

This was purchased from an Acura dealership if that changes anything. It was also purchased "As-Is" but earlier today when I first called they promised to fix it. Upon their initial diagnosis, they refused to fix it..

 

Sucks to see that happens to you. I believe they sold you a lemon. Keep us updated on what the mechanics say about your motor when they open it up.

 

what the hell,....good luck. i would be hard to keep calm at a time like this. i dunno, maybe they filled it with diesel for you ,...who knows