Recently just pulled my spark plugs to see if I was running rich or lean and had decided to do a compression test while the spark plugs was already out. Resulted in 175 in Cylinder 1, 220 in Cylinder 2, 185 in Cylinder 3, and 220 in Cylinder 4. Looks like I'm loosing compression in my first and third cylinder and wanted to get everyone's opinion on my next move. Although half of my cylinders tested okay, I researched that consistency is key and I want to address this issue before it gets worse. Would an engine rebuild be neccessary? It is a 2005 AP2 has 154k miles and currently has P2271 check engine light.

 

I think you should first do a leak down test to see if its a cylinder head issue.

 

checked valve lash ?

 

Could be as simple as some valves too tight/needs adj. Thing is though, if that were the case, it doesn't take long before too tight of valves get cooked and would need to replace along with possible seats. Best case and if your lucky, just a valve adjust and no damage done. The other possibility is your getting leakage from the piston rings, in which case that would constitute a bottom end rebuild or replace.

Id perform a valve clearance check first. Cross fingers.

 

Was the engine running well before? When last did you set valve gaps?

 

How much does a typical engine rebuild cost? Are parts readily available. Is the valve clearance maintenance work dependent on mileage, my car is a 2005 but has on 23,500 miles.

 

It's not the cost but the competence of the one doing the work. It's not a regular Honda engine, the only other engine that comes close is the H22 and those are a pain to rebuild for the same reason, at least the bottom end. The top end has its own reasons for being a pain. The factory included a 4 angle valve job, if you end up with a 3 angle valve job because you needed to replace a valve seat you just gave up power because it won't flow as well. If you shave the head because it's warped it throws off the timing chain geometry.

Installing new valve guides is tricky on this engine, you have to heat the block and chill the guides, and if you take too long you have to heat and chill again. However you also have to be very precise in the install height of the guides.

 

Slowcrash - am I wrong to say that successful and reliable rebuilds of the bottom end are very rare? My impression is that if your bottom end needs a rebuild the practical reality for 99% of people is that its time to find another motor.

No?

 

Given that this engine is the heart of the car, and I am thinking absolute worst case scenario here, have any folks here replaced the S2000 engine with another Honda engine given that it is a PITA to rebuild, let alone having a competent shop do the work, including dealerships!!!!! Also, given the limited run of the car, how easy/difficult is it to find used engines?

I wish they did not make it too complicated to fix this engine, and hope that with proper and frequent oil changes that needing a rebuild would be something that many of us do not have to do.

 

Its called a K swap. Swapping in a K series motor. These are unbelievably plentiful, and have become the 4 cylinder equivalent to an LS swap.

There are 2.0 & 2.4 variants.

There is no end to aftermarket support for K series.

But it costs about as much as a used F series motor all said to buy and install all the conversion stuff to get K swap installed, and the used K series motor.

But from then on, if motor pops, its cheap and easy to get and install another K series.

K series is in a way a further evolution from the F series. Mostly due to variable cam timing. These motors are also more rebuildable than F series. But since good, usedmotors so cheap, unless you have special power needs, just getting another used one is usually what someone would do.

K swaps are now the go to swap for all platforms where a 4 cyl makes sense.