zeroptzero

^ I lost an S2000 AP1 motor and I drove like a grandma for the most part, I rarely saw redline on that motor. It puked it's main bearings on a leisurely drive with a full sump of oil and a baffled oil pan. Sometimes crap just happens no matter what car you drive, anything can fail at any time and you can't always explain it. It feels like a punch to the gut when it happens, I hate it and don't wish it on any car owner.

lovegroova

I think this was aimed at me.

The first car was a combination of old age and lots of track days, it had also had the head gasket replaced, along with some cylinder head resurfacing. The report shows it was due to fatigue.

The second is due to a Honda manufacturing fault, we (in the UK forum) think related to the thrust washer bearings, and which only affects cars manufactured in 2008/9 and sold in the UK/Europe - these are AP1 engines as we never got the 2.2 AP2.

Soul Coughing

Really sorry to hear this! Hopefully you can make a plan that makes you whole, or at least, as much as possible! I've lost 2 S2000 engines over the years, and the sinking feeling you get right after the engine dies and you start coasting to a stop, is something you'll never forget and pray won't happen again. The first time I lost an engine was the impetus for me to learn how to wrench as I couldn't afford to pay someone to swap in a motor, so there's always a sliver of a silver lining to these horrible situations.

zeroptzero

I had a well known Honda race motor builder once tell me that the engine damage can often occur a long time before the engine eventually expires. The bearings can suffer damage and it can take some time before they just crap out on you unexpectedly. I don't know how accurate that is, but it made me feel better knowing that I may not have caused the destruction, lol.

rob-2

I’ve been told similar things, depends on the nature of the failure but most things “wear” into failure instead of just failing.

windhund116

What the story with the three headrests, in your signature line photo?

Thanks!

windhund116

Guess it all depends on how much "over-engineering" was put into the specific motor. A highly tuned race car engine will prolly fail due to over-stressed conditions sooner, than say a Diesel Cummins for a semi.

WolfpackS2k

After talking with Charles and a few others over on Rennlist, they've more or less convinced me that my Cayman's engine was starting to develop problems about 18 months ago. All signs lead to bore scoring. If nothing else, some of you may find this discussion interesting:

https://rennlist.com/forums/987-981-...-cayman-s.html

windhund116

Catastrophic failure, for sure. But, if early oil analysis had been showing signs of stress --- what could you have done? Early rebuild with modified oil pan? Bigger oil pump? Pure single weight racing oil?

Thanks!

Dizings2k

Very interesting indeed. Particularly the comments about the uptick in metal readings from your prior blackstone reports. Sorry to hear.

I really liked my 997.1, but I'll be honest, all of the ailments of the M97 motor scared me away after 1.5 years of owning it. Great car, just not worth the potential costs of ownership IMO, for this very reason.

With that being said, it looks like you have an extremely well sorted Cayman with your other suspension modifications.. so I'd test drive a few things, but do seriously consider putting in a bulletproof engine from one of the good shops (Flat 6/LN). The car might be worth it to have something solid and just keep it forever as you'll likely never see that money back.