When my mechanic did my valves, the retainers looked fine from above. That was why he only ordered the keepers but when the head went out to the machine shop, that was when they saw the cracks on the undersides of the retainers.

I personally would advise against driving the car with the cracked retainers as dropping a vavle into the engine is a very bad thing.

 

Does Honda have a kit part number for the retainers and keepers (either AP1 or AP2)?

I haven't come across it - and the parts guys don't seem to find part numbers on their system too easily.

 

http://www.hardtopguy.com/store/product.ph...7&cat=53&page=1
$134.95 usd

Majestic Honda
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/j...ALVE-ROCKER+ARM

Retainers are $2.09 X 16 and the keepers are $1.67 X 32 for a grand total of $86.88 plus it is recommended to replace the valve cover gasket and gromets which is $19.98.
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/j...NDER+HEAD+COVER
Part #1.

 

Should be 14765-PRB-A01 for the AP2

I need to get this done soon, always looking for a good mechanic anyone recommend a reliable place to do this and a valve adjustment?

 

Put the retainers pn#, but forgot the cotters 14781-PCX-004

 

Is there anyway to confirm that they are cracked without going through all of this? Sounds like a lot of work if your really not sure, however the downside is much worse.

 

BAsed off of what I have seen/read, this problem will eventually happen to every AP1 when they near 80,000 miles. Do yourself a favour, and get them fixed even if there is no signs of anything is wrong.

 

That's 80,000 miles not km's right? This is something i've only recently become aware of, and should probably educate myself on. Is it strictly a mileage induced problem or do driving habits contribute to the wear/cracking? I'm assuming spending more time higher in the rev range will tend to accelerate this wear?

 

Shifting to 1st when you're looking for 3rd is a prime cause. Mechanically overreving the F20C will very likely crack the retainers. This doesn't mean bringing the car up the the rev limiter normally, or driving in V-TEC. If you are trying to upshift from at or near redline and you get a lower gear by accident, your had better have your retainers replaced. Even if the problem doesn't snow up right away, it is potentially a ticking time bomb. If you buy an AP1, get them replaced (since you won't know what the previous owner did/didn't do). It is a lot cheaper than a new motor.

The more robust F22C retainers don't seem to be as much of a problem from what I've heard, but still try and avoid those missed shifts!

 

Missed shifts for sure, but on the AP1 motor's, the stock retainers are different from the AP2 ones. Most people are having issues with them giving up around 80,000 miles. My car pretty much gave up right at 80,000 miles.