Chazmo

I realize this is an old thread, but since it's been revived I will throw in my $0.02 from memory...

I agree that the problem is well-documented (please see https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8051, among others). However, I don't think it was ever completely diagnosed.

I've followed this problem since I learned about it (before I bought my car in '02), and I never heard resolution on this. There was a mid-year (02) substitution of the oil spray bolts which a number of US owners retrofitted to their cars.

IMO, Honda never gave us a truly legitimate reason for that substitution, but at one point Woodwork (AHM) told us that it wasn't for #4 cylinder damage. Also, I think there are some posters in Barry's thread that had engine damage even with the 4-hole bolt.

On the whole, Honda has done right by people who've had the problem. Quite a few short blocks were packed up and sent to Japan. Of course, our cars are getting older now. Rusty's story from November is I think the most recent (Rusty you should post in Barry's thread)...

Best wishes for the holidays... And, if I may, despite the occasional failure, most people have had pretty good luck with their engines around here. Unfortunately, I watched three people wreck their engines at the track in October (Fall Colors), but all three took it pretty well. One owner was simply low on oil, and two owners had their oil filters back off on them. Keep your filters tight kids.

Chazmo

By the way, Rusty, what is your serial number from your VIN? As I recall, the 4-bolt subsitution started somewhere around 5000 for the year 02 (I can double-check)

dlq04

My notes on the subject.....

#4 Cylinder Failures: A small number of owners, approximately three dozen are known, report major engine failure due to the #4 Cylinder Scoring. One of the frustrating things about this major failure is how some customer

dlq04

My notes on that subject......

..... So, under certain driving circumstances there can be insufficient lubrication and cooling that can result in damage to the engine. To correct the problem, Honda changed the bolt design. It was widely reportedly, and Honda began installing the new design bolts after engine F20C 1102 5386; however, a Florida owner inspected his engine F20C 1102 5376 only to learn he had the updated bolts installed already. So when they started is unclear. These changes are now contained in the September 2002 dealer

Fobolous

Sup peeps.

Has there been any report of the same problem on the 04 block? If there was, was it owner's fault or poor engine quality?

S2KANDRE

RACER

I havn't heard of any.

kstokell

Here is picture of what CYL#4 scoring looks like for those who have been lucky enough not to have seen it on their own engine.

Mine when at about 30,000 Miles, but it was supercharged and I was doing 170MPH.



Kevin

Fobolous

I want to ask you if you've repeatedly start the car up and run it right away or did you start it up, wait for it to warm up and drive it? Because doesn't it take a while for the car to heat up so the piston ring can expand to seal up the cylinder? Ever since I got my 04, I've always let it warm up before I drive it. Please let me know.

Gernby

Extended idling isn't very good for the engine either. A cold engine at idle will contaminate the oil. The best practice is to just drive conservatively until it warms up.