Read woodworks post. If you overreved the engine just a little there will be tell tail signs on the valve stems. Over rev alot and you look at the pistons and valves to make contact.

So it would stand to reason that if just one valve made contact with the piston there would be damage to the valve spring retainers also.

Funny that the DSM at honda didn't take the time to point out how I manage to up my engine--if it is so obvious. I would have loved to see the valve spring retainer damage to the 3 other cylinders that would go along with the 4 valves that took a beating when the rod gave out on #4...

 

City Hunter - even if you have to pay to get the car back, don't give in!! If you really did not over rev the engine, then keep at them. Work your way to supervisors, managers, etc and keep going higher to explain the situation.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Send letters to them, return receipt requested to document everything. It will appear to them that you are building a case against them and they just might back down and pay you.

If that doesn't work, try the TV news in your area. Honda doesn't want adverse publicity, so it might work as a last resort.

But, keep at them and don't give up. It might take months, but your persistence might pay off.

Also, go talk to some independant mechanics and get their opinions. You might even show them the pictures and get their comments. If they side with you, mention that in your letters to Honda and even state that they are willing to testify that the damage wasn't caused by over reving the engine.

You want to build your case against them piece by piece and keep meticulous documentation. Dates, times, who you talked to (if on the phone), etc. The more the better.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

i had a similar problem out here in fl. the dealer replaced my cylinder head after being unable to find the source of my cel. they also claimed i had over-revved the engine which i denied. they did replace it under warranty. however, after they were finished with their repair, the cel was still on and they were still confused. i took it to another dealer recommended by the south fl s2k owners. the new dealer fixed it in 1 day by replacing the fuel injectors. no more cel. i have read similar stories about the fuel injectors from other owners.

 

I got my car back last Thursday, drove for about 900mi during the weekend, everything seems okay so far.

I am so glad that Honda did cover everything under warranty. I didn't have to pay for a cent, excpet for about $200 for more than a week's car rental.

When I picked up the car, I still didn't get an answer on what caused the problem. The dealer sent all the heads in the shop for refurb, not just the one that was bent. I'm never comfortable about refurb stuff, I just hope they don't break again.

As for why they offered to cover it under warranty, I am not sure. Could it be an internal known problem for Honda? The only question DSM asked was if my family is a Honda family, and that would help him to make a decision. I said we also have an Accord and an Oddesey (whose transmission just started to fail at 60,000mi). Maybe this is the reason why I was covered, but then that would be ridiculus. So they will not offer warranty for people who only have one Honda?

I want to thank everyone here for your suggestions and support. You guys are awesome, and so is s2ki.com

 

Fear of losing future business is a powerful motivator. I can't believe he had to ask you, I would have mentioned it early on to build my case.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by CityHunter
I said we also have an Accord and an Oddesey (whose transmission just started to fail at 60,000mi).

 

According to Honda dealer, only the MY99-01 Odyssey's have extended transmission warranty (100k mi). We have the 02 model. Honda supposedly fixed the transmission problem from MY02, but I guess not. So we traded the Odyssey in for a new Nissan Armada.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bret

 

Glad everything worked out for you CityHunter and no $$ out of your pocket. If you don't mind me asking, which dealer ended up fixing your car?

 

I took it to the Diamond Bar Honda. Originally I was thinking to take it to one of the dealers recommended in the thread, but Diamond Bar Honda is the most convenient for me.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2KenC

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by CityHunter
According to Honda dealer, only the MY99-01 Odyssey's have extended transmission warranty (100k mi).