I have 155K miles on my 2001 S2000 and it recently threw a CEL. I got it checked out and showed misfiring in all cylinders. Since then the CEL has disappeared (its been 3 weeks) but I took my car in anyways to perform leakdown test. They told me cylinders 3 & 4 were leaking (~30%) and that I needed new head which would cost me $5,000.

At this point I'm trying to weigh my options. Should I replace the head or get a new motor? I still enjoy this car but I'm thinking more repairs may have to be done in the future as car gets older. New car sounds good right about now but what can I get back for my car? What do you guys think? Any advice? Thanks!

Jae

 

Sorry to hear about your car troubles,

I am curious how "they" know the head needs to be replaced. A leak down will indicate a problem evident but is not the best way to determine your exact problem. (Bad rings, blown hg, valves, guides, or a crack.) If it is the head, you can rebuild it or maybe you can pick up a good used head off s2ki, ebay, etc... Depending on the problem and the cost to fix, getting a used engine would not be a bad Idea considering you have 155k. Or you could try to part the car out. Good luck with what you choose to do, I hope it works out for you.

BTW if you choose to part out and have a spa lip let me know...

 

Sounds like you are being taken....First off 5k is alsmost a new engine (really new minus install)....second where are the cylinders leaking?? Intake, exhaust, rings, coolant, each other???

Tell them to give you some real answers before you decide to scrap your baby.

 

Any decent mechanic will perform an initial leakdown (dry), and if any results show a loss of 10% or more they will then perform a wet leadown. By adding just a few cc's of low viscosity oil to the cylinder and retesting, they can then determine if the problem is in the head or the rings.

 

if they are saying you need a new head they probably heard a leak in the exhaust or intake manifold. why dont you tell them to look at the valve clearances. if they are too tight the valves will stay open and cause such symptoms.

 

Your mechanic appears to be trying to exact a too much cash from you. 5k to replace a head is way overboard. Take it somewhere else. It could be the head, but probably isn't. A used head and install will cost you $1,200 all in. But it sounds like rings could be the problem. Take your time fixing this issue and you will save some money.

 

go to another mechanic. i went to our local tuning shop here in tulsa oklahoma (humble performace) when i started having cooling issues. thought it was a head gasket. we did a leak down and had 20 percent on 2 cyl. and like 7 on the others. i took it to my fathers mechaic that also does all my big repairs i dont tackle myself and he did a leak down and couldnt come up with anything. this guy does them say in and day out for almost 40 years. i trust him. my point is that this guy sounds like a "parts changer" and isnt really finding the problem. not to say he is wrong, but he is insanely outrageous on his price!!! i read another post by someone else on here that threw a rod or something and his motor was crap and he had found new motors and stroker motors that at most cost him 6k. thats still slot but if you can buy a full stroker motor brand new for only $1000 more than what you guy is asking for for a new head he is stupid. do some more research around your area and get several more opinions

 

Thanks for the help! I will take it to another mechanic and get a second opinion. I'm not ready to give up on this car just yet...

 

Post up in your local S2ki forum and ask for a recommendation of a reputable shop. I agree with others that it sounds like this shop is taking you for a ride.

BTW...did you replace the plugs before doing the leak down test? This thread may help you with the diagnosis steps:

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=659930

 

I have already posted in local forum! thanks again and I will keeps you guys updated!