A couple days ago I started noticing that my TCT was starting to rattle again after being fixed about a year ago. I thought nothing of it since I knew it to be an easy fix that will more then likely last for a while. As I was taking off the TCT I decided to pull the VTEC solenoid to inspect the mesh filter for any debris as I had just rebuilt the head about 2 months prior. To my dismay I found this:



Now my situation that I'm in at the moment is quite particular as I'm in the process of moving, do not have another vehicle, and don't have any money to put to a new engine/rebuild especially after just spending quite a bit of money rebuilding the top end. I guess my question is what do you guys think my best option is here? I would rather go the route of rebuilding the engine as I see it being a bit cheaper and would be able to do it myself but the process well be extremely slow as I'm broke.

And before anyone asks no, I have not pulled the oil pan yet to inspect it but I already know what I will find. I will be starting the dis-assembly of the motor (with lots of pictures) once I finish moving.

 

Did you run low on oil or something?

 

I would just save money for a low-mileage bottom end.

 

Never went below a quart low. My guess is that under heavy cornering I had a momentary instance of oil starvation which caused the initial damage to the bearings. From there on it was down hill. My plan as of now is to rebuild the stock motor and build it to be absolutely bullet proof. Some well say it is gonna be overkill for what the car well be used for the majority of the time but to me it's piece of mind.

I've learned from much research this engine gets hot so my main objective is cooling, cooling, cooling.

 

Do you track the car? You should probably invest in a baffled oil pan next time too.

 

Pull off the filter and cut it open using a pipe cutter or purpose built filter cutter.

DO NOT USE A HACKSAW as it fills the filter with so much junk its impossible to read the entrails.

If you are stuck, you can cut the edge of the filter base away ( cut at 45 degrees till you get the lip off) with some metal shears.

 

what year? and how many miles on the motor?

 

No I do not. Just a daily driver that I drive pretty hard on occasion.

2002 with 113k.

 

Yeah guaranteed the oil pan will have metal bearing material in it. If it is the rod bearings it can be a relatively easy fix, if it's the main bearings you are best to source a new block, good luck with the project I was in the exact same shoes one year ago.