my car had to be taken away on a flatbed yesterday after shutting down on me on the interstate. originally the dealer called back and said that it was due to a cracked spark plug. then i was called back and told that the spark plug was shattered. just got another call and said that there was 0 compression in the #4 cylinder and the valve was stuck down an inch (??something like that). they are talking labor charges alone of $500+. my car has 44k on it and is no longer covered by warranty, i'm concerned that the cost of repairing my beloved s2k is going to break me in half

i know that there have been problems with the #4 cylinder, but none even close to the mileage that i currently have on my car. is there any possible way that this repair could be covered by Honda, or should i start looking for that second job?

 

call American Honda and talk to them personally

 

Have you had all your scheduled service and is it documented? If so and it was done by a Honda dealer, I would point to the spark plug TSB/recall and put up a stink.

 

i bought the car with 38k from carmax, and don't have any documentation from before that time. i have had 2 oil changes done at Honda dealerships, and had them check for any TSBs that had not been performed on my car. The computer said everything was fixed to date.

 

I seriously doubt the Spark Plug TSB was done. Since it is relatively new (within the last month). Mention this to the dealer. Did the carmax purchase come with any extended warranties?

 

Yes take it up with American Honda, With my old 99 Civic SI went through a series of probs, (could type a 10page forum on it I will spare yall ) but it still took some convincing, don't get discouraged, call AH and make sure you are matriculate, take down the names of who you talked to, time/date you talked to them, when they said they would call you back VS. when they did and so on. And talking to a manager/shift supervisor at AH never hurts, sometimes you just got to cut out the middle man. Long story short after doing this (over 50days of phone tag/debating) I got damn near every sensor replaced, ECU replaced, OBD II replaced, and got my warranty extend to a 5yr 60k with no cost to me Just to your best not to lose your head, it can/will be frustrating, they are willing to help you just have to convince them of it. Oh and AH 800 number is : 1-800-542-6632, and they are closed on the weekends. G-Luck!!!!

V8-What?

 

Extended warranty? could have picked up another year for $1000 from Carmax, but i was thinking "warranty? it's a honda, i don't need no stinkin' warranty " DOH!

The damage is still being assessed. All that they have said so far, is that if it was caused from over-revving, that it would not be covered under any circumstances. that sounds fair to me. i did have it revved up pretty good at the time (~8500) in 3rd, but there is no way i over-revved. i'm a novice when it comes to the inner-workings of cars, is it even feasible that over-revving would cause a sparkplug to explode?

 

Just about everytime I read about some poor SOB suffering engine damage these service writers always go to the "over reving" card.I'd call AH on this as fast as my fingers could punch up the numbers.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice so far. Seems like the common theme here is to get on the horn with AH as soon as possible. I am a terrible negotiator... any tips on how to get the best results from my conversation(s) with them?

should i just call them up and say that i had a spark plug shatter causing yet undetermained damage and then ask them if they will cover the damages if it is linked to the TSB that came out last month?

 

<<if it is linked to the TSB that came out last month>>



I don't think it's even in question that it's related. If you overrevved the engine, the valves would have floated and came in contact with the pistons........on ALL four cylinders. It would not have been isolated to one cylinder. If you get any push back from AHM, I would seriously consider getting an attorney. I realize that people say that in these chat boards a lot, but you have a stronger case than most. Honda has a documented problem with sparks plugs coming unseated. From the evidence you have posted, it appears this is exactly what happened. The fact that you have a valve stuck open one inch is probably because a piece of the spark plug is wedged in there. The only thing that Honda has in your case is whether or not proper regular maintenance was performed on the car. I would try and find any history on the car.



Good luck.



Jimbo