Gernby, Ralper - You are right there two sides to every story. All I'm asking Honda is: "is the only way to cause to bent valves from over-reving, mis-shifting, or a bad timing chain" They are telling me yes and that I could say whatever I want about not doing any of the above or abusing my car, they won't look into it any further and won't give any other consideration to covering it under warranty. I did not blow out the engine, I couldn't even tell the difference in how it was idling or driving. What prompted me to bring it in was the engine light came on and I happened to be at my brother's house who asked me to start the car and then listened to the engine and noticed a tapping, missing noise as he described. So that's what prompted me to bring in. They said my valves are "slightly bent". They ran a "leak down test" and here's what they came back with (of course I don't know what all this means, maybe you guys do) 1st test #1-50%, #3-54%, #4-90% #2-20%. The 2nd test showed: #1-60%, #3-65%, #4-90%, #2-45%. Anyway, my frustration is, what I've found with my researching that their dealings with these situations is that they have been inconsistent with who they've covered under the warranty and who they haven't, or given a one time cover too. Then they've been down right rude about it. I tried to call the supervisor of the customer service manager I spoke to, to see if I could get better service or at least someone who would be a little more customer service oriented and the guy I initally spoke with called me back and said "his supervisor was too busy dealing with other things to be dealing with me", so that's customer service. This isn't all about just what they will or won't cover anymore, but just the overall experience of getting lumped in with people that deliberately abuse their cars and then treated like @#$%^ to boot. The guys at the dealership looked at me and made the judgement (in my favor) that I didn't look like the type to abuse my car.....but then, then they asked did you lend the car to someone else, maybe a valet guy did it....please we're really stretching. I'm very particular about who touches my car. This has just been a very exhausting and frustrating experience. I'm ready to give up both my Honda's and never honor them again and same with my family and friends!!!

 

I dont think that downshifting into the wrong gear is just a problem with our cars. I was considering purchasing the current model of the Toyota Celica. None of the dealerships here were stocking the six speed - only the auto. When I asked why this was, I was told that they had been having problems with people blowing the manual because of downshifting into the wrong gear. I guess they were pushing the auto because of this.

I personally dont think this car takes any more effort or concentration to downshift correctly. I have driven manual sports cars of some type or another for the last 18 years and have never downshifted into the wrong gear. I can feel the stick in my hand and know exactly which gear Im in. I make sure that I dont skip gears on the downshift process, unless Im going from 4th to 2nd, which is rare - I love shifting through EVERY gear on this car - the transmission is fantastic. Thats just my humble opinion, nor am I suggesting that Im a better driver than anyone else here. I just wanted to add my observations after reading so many threads on this same subject. I guess I get a little ticked off at the suggestion that this engine is inferior and that I drive this car on a daily basis and am completely happy with this car in all aspects. The car and its engine performs better than any sports car I have ever driven or owned. I just make sure that I do everything in my power to make sure that it continues to do just that.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by eleki-SD-Calif.
[B]Gernby, Ralper - You are right there two sides to every story.

 

Ralper,

Thanks for understanding. I'll admit I don't know anything about engines, that's why all these messages and links that Barry has sent me has been a great learning experience. But I can tell you I do know how to drive a stick and have very careful about how I shift, especially in this car, as Skreemn said in her post. I'm just trying to make sure that I'm not being taken advantage of and understanding the full problem, but since all I've been given is "this is the damage, and this is the only thing that can cause it" answer, end of story, I have a real problem with that. With them being so firm about not wanting to discuss it further or delve in deeper just makes me suspicious that there could potentially be another problem or they are hiding something else and figure I'll @#$% for a while and then go away. Nope, this just wants me to pursue further.

Eleki

 

eleki-SD-Calif. , your car broke and you didn't abuse it. You have a valid warranty claim. Read your warranty. Nowhere does it say, "You're guilty until proven innocent."

Just make it clear to AHM, or better yet, have your attorney make it clear that you expect warranty coverage since you operated the car as intended without mistake or abuse and it broke. Tell them it will cost them much more to meet you in court than to just settle.

Contact some of the automotive experts on this board to see if my advise is any good.

Barry

 

hey guys, forget about the ferrari mechanic and the bent pistons, that is what the service mgr said at the dealer, and no, I am a professional, I treat everyone with respect and give them the benefot of the doubt.....yes there are two stories or two sides to every coin.....however, what I have stated is the truth, even the passenger agrees that there was no secondary noise to alert that the piston was on the verge of breaking...not that it matters, but he was there.... For the better part, most of you have been paying attention to my updates, however some of the newer replies haven't..... to reiterate diagnosis is piston head broke due to mis-shifting - that is what the DSM is saying, of course they cannot prove that I did it, he even admitted that.....he said from previous experience that is what the situation is resembling, but since the computer on board does not record the rpms it is hard for them to concretely state that....that is why he approved 1/2 the damages to be paid by AHC, in my opinion, there is more on that engine that none of us know.....the problem has been popping up in several states and on other forums as I read...therefore if AHC reconizes that a problem exists and that they cannot prove that it is the owner misshifting....then they should cover the first repair under warranty having the owner sign a waiver that if it occurs again it is not covered....that is the fair thing to do.....

Spa, thanks for the support......as well to everyone else....

I think that if this happens to anyone, what we all expect is for the problem to be fixed so that we all can be cruising again in our S2. Should know today what the dealer was able to do for me....go to go back to work..

fast-miami

 

fast-miami,

I totally agree with you. Although, my DSM says he can't overturn Honda's decision even though they don't think it's my fault, so guess my attorney will have to see what he can do. Didn't want it to get this far, but it just makes me furious that they want me to jump through hoops to try to prove I didn't abuse the car (telling me to go to different mechanics at my expense, etc.), but yet won't delve further themselves. I hate to say as much as I love this car, it's going to be traded in as soon I get it back. Bye bye Hondal

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by fast-miami
[B]SanMarino, I wonder if you say that bc you work or do business with HONDA.....hope this never happens to you.

 

actually you can correct for a misshift... put the clutch back in. This method only works for people who are paying attention to what happens to the car after they shift.

 

don't do the shift lock... can you say Sequential 6 speed. Can't misshift because you have to go through 5th,4th and 3rd to get to second. with the current engine management tech. the computer can manage the speed of the engine.