Honda S2000 with a 500 mile engine (Deep Knocking Sound)

[Extra 300 Driver]

My poor mate got this car this morning and he came straight over to see me. Within a few minutes I noticed a deep knocking sound from within the engine, and over a short while it got worse and worse. At idle its fine, but anything over 2,500rpm it makes a sound like a big end, pinking or piston slap.

The engine was replaced by a reputable Honda independent specialist near Crewe only 500 miles ago, but the ca has sat for a couple of months as the previous owner needed a car which did better mpg.

Of course all this happens at the worst time, 4pm on a Saturday, so there is no answer from the specialist and I cannot find out about any warranty until Monday morning. We have the invoice for the replacement engine with mileage and cost.

Realisticly what is the best course of action? I know the best thing would be for the specialist to say ‘We’ll replace it FOC’ but what are the chances? I mean its only done 500miles!

[Squating Neville]

Need more info Age mileage repair done compleat engine or just crank and rods. before all the idiots get on here and say mine had that, but a different year car from 08 onwards

[Extra 300 Driver]

It's a 1999 car with 105k. The engine dropped an inlet valve so a new engine needed, a reconditioned unit was fitted and it's only done 500 miles

[Squating Neville]

that explains it. could be anything with a second hand engine, If its knocking from the bottom end as you say the crank is bent by now and the rod or rods now out of oval, will need a full strip down and inspection if it is a bottom end knock, it could be something else

[Squating Neville]

This is the problem you have with second hand engines no history on them.

[Extra 300 Driver]

Yes thanks for that. It's reconditioned by a reputable Independant specialist

[jq3104]

Not a Jap import with S200 **A as the plate by chance ?

[Extra 300 Driver]

jq3104 said:

Not a Jap import with S200 **A as the plate by chance ?

YHM

[Extra 300 Driver]

jq3104 said:

Not a Jap import with S200 **A as the plate by chance ?

Just checked S200 **P, so not the same car

[jq3104]

Extra 300 Driver said:

jq3104 said:

Not a Jap import with S200 **A as the plate by chance ?

Just checked S200 **P, so not the same car

Cheers.
It was nothing sinister.
Honest Guv

[Squating Neville]

Extra 300 Driver said:

Yes thanks for that. It's reconditioned by a reputable Independant specialist

Obviously not reconditioned that well

[Mastodon2]

Squating Neville said:

Obviously not reconditioned that well

Reminds me of something I saw on Watchdog recently about an "engine replacement and rebuild specialist" who were charging for new engines and then just rebuilding or reconditioning them, but doing it to the absolute cheapest standard possible. As a result, there were many a bent valve or snapped rod and a lot of people out of pocket. Probably not the same company, these guys were just some cowboys working on cheap commuter cars, but it does show you how a company can really the ignorant public off when they hold all the cards. It's not like any of their customers would ever be stripping their engines down to check the work. IIRC, someone paid for a full rebuild on a seized Golf engine, they stripped it, polished the bores and pistons (badly), put it back together and charged them for a full rebuild, all new parts etc. The engine made it several miles before it seized again, which is a tribute to VW engineering more than their polishing technique I think!

Anyway, this does sound rather sinister. There is a "well known" engine rebuilder who specialises in Honda engines who does quite a lot of business but has built some real time bombs. Due to PH Name and Shame rules, I cannot name him or his business, suffice to say he trades in a company name that consists of 3 letters, for example "PMT Engine building" or something similar. I can't post threads from Honda owner forums detailing the frankly appalling practices this engine builder has been undertaking publically. OP, if the company name you have sounds anything like that then send me a PM and I will send you some more info. If your engine has been worked on by the same guy, your friend is probably about to find himself out of luck and facing a near impossible struggle to get his money back.

[Extra 300 Driver]

Just checked the invoice, they're not in Crewe, they are in Ferrybridge