Hi,

2007 S2000, just under 80k miles. Had flashing CEL and misfires.

Told that the spark plug broke apart with debris damaging both the head and the engine block. Requiring new engine. Honda (as told to me by dealer) is willing to pay 75% of the bill. The extended warranty expired last December, unfortunately.

Recently had valve adjustment performed at this same dealer a few months ago. Is there something they aren't telling me about potential liability? Could there have been something about the valve adjustment that could have caused this to happen?

#4 cylinder, if that matters.

Thanks!

 

Sounds like they failed to properly torque the plugs during the valve adjustment and one came loose causing the damage. They are actually the party that caused the damage but without proof you may be doing well to get the settlement offered. Unfortunately if they are incapable of a valve adjustment they are not qualified to do the engine repair. Good luck.

 

Did you have a torched coil pack?

If so, then an improperly tightened plug is the cause plain and simple.

 

As part of this saga I took it to the dealer, another mechanic, then back to the dealer when they told me they could do it for 75% off. Just spoke to the mechanic who I took it to between the two dealer visits, who put in a timesert and then replaced the plug. He said that its possible that it was caused during the valve adjustment, but he had no way that he could tell.

 

Oh? Why yes it did have a torched coil pack.

 

It sounds like a loose spark plug more than anything if the coil is burnt.

If the dealer is willing to cover 75% of the cost when the car is out of warranty and for no apparent reason, then yes they are guilty of something. No dealer gives money away like that unless they have something to hide/cover. They must know something that they haven't told you.

 

Well, they have told me that it's Honda that is paying this, not the dealer, but I haven't seen anything that would prove that it's coming from Honda and not the dealer.

 

Yep, they caused the damage, they should be paying 100%! Do yourself a favor and buy a torque wrench and when you get the car back tighten the plugs to 24lbs or it could happen again.

 

Considering that most of the stories on here involve "no lube" when it comes to dealerships, I'd take the 75% before they change their mind.

 

A torched coil pack is a DIRECT result of an improperly tightened spark plug. This is a fact.

2007 plugs came tight enough from the factory without question.

Plugs do not need to be touched during the VA, do you know who replaced or checked them? Trying to follow.