Blown Type R Engine

[SamPet]

Hello All

My best mate seems to have blown the engine in his 2002 Type R.

I was under the impression that this might be a world first?!

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what his options are in regards to repairing, and possible costs?

Thanks in advance

Sam

[ALawson]

What car? I am guessing your mate didn't check the fluid levels regularly enough.

New engine from Honda will be ££££

Edit: Oh and it isn't a first.

Edited by ALawson on Tuesday 10th June 10:02

[SamPet]

It's a Civic Type R

I think he wants to change the engine through Honda, but I told him it would be prohibitively expensive.

I think it was a combination of low fluid levels, and lots of cold start VTECing!

Any ideas what the damage will be $$$

Sam

[Alex]

What's the actual damage? Blown headgasket? Conrod through the block?

[ALawson]

I don't know but call Tom Gannon on 07831377254, he will break the bad news to you friend!

He will either source you a new one or repair if it can be.

Checking the oil is the only thing that religiously needs doing on a Type-R

Lesson learn't the hard way.

[Alex]

Another recommendation for Tom Gannon (of TGMSport) here. To give you an idea, Tom recently quoted around £1,500 for rebuilding a B18C for a friend of mine.

[Bibbs]

TGM were good for me once I went to get my alignment sorted, and they'll get general servicing of my S2000 soon.

I blew the engine in the S, and that was ~£2000 for a 2nd hand engine.

The F20 is rarer than the K20, but the K20 is sort after by the elise lot.

[giger]

Well if you're friend want to go the Honda route, he is likely to be looking at 5-7k + fitting for a replacment.

Best bet is a specialist as chances are it is salvageable.

[Marf]

SamPet said:

and lots of cold start VTECing!

If the new K series engines are anything like the B series of old, then the ECU won't allow VTEC unless the engines up to temp.

[Dracoro]

Marf said:

SamPet said:

and lots of cold start VTECing!

If the new K series engines are anything like the B series of old, then the ECU won't allow VTEC unless the engines up to temp.

The s2000 prevents revving over 6/7k and the CTR engine postdates that I think so would expect it to do the same. Irrespective, to rev even to 4/5k when cold all the time is stupid (and now costly for the OPs mate!)

Get engine from scrappy and get a good indy to fit. Still won't be cheap tho.

[10 Pence Short]

The main causes of failure in the EP3 would be oil starvation and accidental over revving by changing into 2nd instead of 4th.

[Carfiend]

As others have said TGM are a good place to start. I remember talking to Tom about a Accord Type R engine he had in for a rebuild about a year ago and that was around £4000. Be cheaper to put a second hand engine in but then there is no guarantee it won't be a dog.

VTEC engines are reliable but just like every other engine they need fluids and to be allowed to warm before giving it a thrashing.

[jonnydiscopants]

every honda ive owned has always used around a litre of oil every 1500-2000 miles which is 'normal' im told??? So if hes never checked the oil on it then hes learnt a hard lesson

[NORTS]

Marf said:

SamPet said:

and lots of cold start VTECing!

If the new K series engines are anything like the B series of old, then the ECU won't allow VTEC unless the engines up to temp.

Yeah you don't get the VTEC kick until it's warmed up in the EP3, most modern Honda engines are like that. S2000 included.

what a tool though for even trying to VTEC from cold.

[MB 1]

10 Pence Short said:

The main causes of failure in the EP3 would be oil starvation and accidental over revving by changing into 2nd instead of 4th.

Agreed.

[RobCrezz]

jonnydiscopants said:

every honda ive owned has always used around a litre of oil every 1500-2000 miles which is 'normal' im told??? So if hes never checked the oil on it then hes learnt a hard lesson

My prelude vtec used a similar amount of oil.

Im guessing he let the oil run too low.

[Alex]

My 129k miles Integra uses hardly any oil at all.

[pbirkett]

I'm guessing that he tried to change down into too low a gear (i.e. into 2nd at 70 or 80 mph). Most common way to blow these engines up.

[vz-r_dave]

When the car is cold it will not engage due to the oil pressure not being high enough. Has nothing to do with the engine being new or old. B series or K etc

[MB 1]

That's not quite correct.

You can't engage VTEC on a cold engine as the ECU electronically limits it. This is to protect the engine until the oil is upto temperature and the cylinders are hot etc.

Once the coolant is upto a pre set temperature, you can then VTEC.

The oil pressure is related to engine speed so in theory it is possible to VTEC the car from cold, if you override the protection.