If you know anything about cars (Hondas!) I need your help!!

[DynamiteRave]

SO. I'm driving a 2002 Honda Accord. The base model. Not LX or EX, just the one that you get with the LEAST amount of options possible.

About Oh.. a month ago my engine started rattling.. Never thought much of it till now because I have to make another trip to Indiana in early October. I took it in to get looked at and the dude finally comes around to tell me that the engine is falling apart internally. And while its not going to break down on me now, it's only going to get worse and it needs to be replaced. This replacement costs $6200. :vomit:

Considering I don't handle the money or the business (my grandmother does) I didn't happen to ask WHY this happened so soon. My car only has almost 68,000 miles on it. It seems like after 6 years and only 68,000 miles, it seems waaaaay too soon to be needing a new engine. Or maybe I'm just not car savvy and its not too soon.

Anyone have any ideas? And any way I could prevent this from happening after I get the new engine? At this point I'm afraid to drive to Indiana anymore because I'm afraid of running the new engine into the ground.

[gibbsisgod]

Originally Posted by DynamiteRave

SO. I'm driving a 2002 Honda Accord. The base model. Not LX or EX, just the one that you get with the LEAST amount of options possible.

About Oh.. a month ago my engine started rattling.. Never thought much of it till now because I have to make another trip to Indiana in early October. I took it in to get looked at and the dude finally comes around to tell me that the engine is falling apart internally. And while its not going to break down on me now, it's only going to get worse and it needs to be replaced. This replacement costs $6200. :vomit:

Considering I don't handle the money or the business (my grandmother does) I didn't happen to ask WHY this happened so soon. My car only has almost 68,000 miles on it. It seems like after 6 years and only 68,000 miles, it seems waaaaay too soon to be needing a new engine. Or maybe I'm just not car savvy and its not too soon.

Anyone have any ideas? And any way I could prevent this from happening after I get the new engine? At this point I'm afraid to drive to Indiana anymore because I'm afraid of running the new engine into the ground.

Thats gotta be more than the car is worth right? I have never heard of an engine replacement costing near that much. Have another mechanic take a look at the car.

[firstdown]

Hondas run forever and I would get a second opinion. You did not even ask the guy what was curently wrong with the car and what might have caused the problem?

[FRPLG]

What kind of powertrain warranty do Hondas get?

6200 does sound high but work on Hondas is high. For example, on any Hondaa older than 3 years if you have an accident with deployed airbags, insurance is likely to total it because replacing the airbags costs a ridiculous amount of money.

[That Guy]

68k is WAY too early... i mean, i've had ford tauruses run up to 250k without needing a new engine...

[saden1]

Some schmuck tried to tell my dad once he needed to replace the whole headlamp unit instead of the bulb. I suspect you're getting scammed, go elsewhere preferably to a Honda dealer.

[cpayne5]

How bad is the noise? Burning any oil? Losing coolant?

Without knowing the answer to those questions, my first guess would be that the valves need to be adjusted. It's a $100 job.

That engine should not be failing at 68k miles. I have a 2001 Civic w/ 180k miles, my parents have a 97 Accord w/ 175k miles, a friend has a 97 Accord w/ 220k miles, my sister had a 97 Accord w/ 210k miles (before totaling it in 05), my cousin has a 97 Accord with 230k miles. None of those cars have had any major problems. Change the oil and go. Yours should be no different. Every automaker produces a lemon now and again, though.

There is an independent shop in Falls Church called Car Doctor. They specialize in Honda/Acura. If you're close by, I'd recommend you take the car out there for a quick diagnostic once over.

Good luck.

[mredskins]

Are you getting a lot of blue smoke (oil leak) or white smoke (coolant leak)?

To me it sounds like your timing belt needs to be adjusted. Typical you do this at 100k but considering the age of your car you may need it now. Unless you have completely abused the car, like no oil changes, that Honda engine is just warming up at 68k.

I would take it to either the Car Doctor or a Honda dealer. Actually go to the Honda Dealer first get a diagnostic then have a reliable shopr (Car Doctor) do the work.

[Hog1]

That's not a lot of miles. You should be looking at 150k+ miles before something like that is necessary. If you do have any problem for that kind of loot, that car is a DEFECT. I would think you you could have a have a replacement motor installed end to end for half of that (which would be $1000 more than I have ever paid). Get a second opinion from someone you can trust, rent a car to go on your trip.
You may want to look into an aftermarket warranty program that would cost that would cover something like that (with a short waiting period), and drill em' with it.....at the appropriate time of course.
Sorry ins guys.........

[EternalEnigma21]

Originally Posted by DynamiteRave

SO. I'm driving a 2002 Honda Accord. The base model. Not LX or EX, just the one that you get with the LEAST amount of options possible.

About Oh.. a month ago my engine started rattling.. Never thought much of it till now because I have to make another trip to Indiana in early October. I took it in to get looked at and the dude finally comes around to tell me that the engine is falling apart internally. And while its not going to break down on me now, it's only going to get worse and it needs to be replaced. This replacement costs $6200. :vomit:

Considering I don't handle the money or the business (my grandmother does) I didn't happen to ask WHY this happened so soon. My car only has almost 68,000 miles on it. It seems like after 6 years and only 68,000 miles, it seems waaaaay too soon to be needing a new engine. Or maybe I'm just not car savvy and its not too soon.

Anyone have any ideas? And any way I could prevent this from happening after I get the new engine? At this point I'm afraid to drive to Indiana anymore because I'm afraid of running the new engine into the ground.

I would immediately remove the car from his care and take it to another technician. Take it to a dealer and have them give an etimate with NO WORK authorized and then to a reputable service shop. A new motor should cost half what you were quoted, and that's with labor included. That would lead me to believe that you are getting hosed, that the guy either has no idea what's wrong, or is trying to get you to replace his gambling debts in exchange for a 11 dollar motor mount.

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted by mredskins

Are you getting a lot of blue smoke (oil leak) or white smoke (coolant leak)?

To me it sounds like your timing belt needs to be adjusted. Typical you do this at 100k but considering the age of your car you may need it now. Unless you have completely abused the car, like no oil changes, that Honda engine is just warming up at 68k.

I would take it to either the Car Doctor or a Honda dealer. Actually go to the Honda Dealer first get a diagnostic then have a reliable shopr (Car Doctor) do the work.

If a timing belt needs to be adjusted, it's too late, damage has occurred.

Honda used to recommend timing belt changes at 90k miles, but have since switched to 110k mile intervals. I don't know where a 2002 falls, but either way, it should be fine as its only 7 years old at the oldest.

Valve lash frequently needs to be adjusted, though. This is an easy job just requiring the removal of the valve cover and a few minutes with a feeler gauge. A timing belt replacement is more involved. Probably about 4 hours of labor on that car. You should get the tensioner, water pump, and any and all seals that live behind the cam cover replaced while the work is being done. A timing belt replacement will probably be atleast $500 on the car being discussed.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

If a timing belt needs to be adjusted, it's too late, damage has occurred.

Honda used to recommend timing belt changes at 90k miles, but have since switched to 110k mile intervals. I don't know where a 2002 falls, but either way, it should be fine as its only 7 years old at the oldest.

Valve lash frequently needs to be adjusted, though. This is an easy job just requiring the removal of the valve cover and a few minutes with a feeler gauge. A timing belt replacement is more involved. Probably about 4 hours of labor on that car. You should get the tensioner, water pump, and any and all seals that live behind the cam cover replaced while the work is being done. A timing belt replacement will probably be atleast $500 on the car being discussed.

You are right I was thinking replacemnet. I don't know about a Vtech valve job it maybe a little more to it.

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted by mredskins

You are right I was thinking replacemnet. I don't know about a Vtech valve job it maybe a little more to it.

Nope, same procedure, just different clearance specs.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

Nope, same procedure, just different clearance specs.

Ok. My money is on the timing belt.

[firstdown]

My money is on the lack of oil and/or oil changes.