my MY2000 has been idling rough, but otherwise runs OK. the "check engine" light comes on, with a misfire code, and when reset will go for a few hundred miles and then come on again. i had a compression check done: #1 = 110psi, #2, 3, 4 = 175-200psi. my mechanic performed the compression check wet and dry, and said that the upper end was causing problems. he said he would guess either valve guides or seats. honda wants a ridiculous amount of money to fix, and my mechanic says its pretty hard to get rebuilt heads and getting a local machine shop to do it right is dicey. so, two questions: (1) will driving it in this state make matters worse? that is, do i need to jump on this, or can it wait a bit? and (2) when i want to fix the problem, is there a source for rebuilt heads or a service that can rebuild a head (i have an extra vehicle so don't mind if my s2k is out of service for a while)? thx in advance for the advice.

...joe

 

I'd see if a local shop can do a blow-down test, no guessing then.

Manually check your spark plug while it is running. Mine got loose and widened the hole ever so slightly, allowing a small amount of hot gas to blow by - frying my coil pack. I fixed it using a steel spark plug insert - spark plug now screws into steel, not aluminum ~

 

If you can't find a shop to do a blow down test, look for one that can do a leak down test.

 

I spoke to my mechanic. He said they did a leak down test, and its definitely valves. (He didn't know what a blow down test is as distinct from a leak down test...can someone explain?).

so, assuming it is indeed valves and not rings, i would still like to get my two questions in my original post answered. any help?

 

just buy a used head in the for sale section, or take yours off and have it rebuilt. its not dicey if you use a reputable machine shop.