Hi there,
I have a 2003 Honda Element that the engine is pretty much just done. Either one of the timing belts snapped or a cam is spinning freely and there is no oil compression. It has 148k and the original clutch on it. I bought this car brand spankin new with 13 miles on it, I LOVE this car with everything, and this is the first thing to ever happen to it. I have had brakes and rotors done a bunch of times but nothing out of the ordinary has ever happened to it. It has never even died until today for the first time. I'm getting it towed to my mechanic's place tomorrow and I have already had two mechanic friends look at it without taking the engine apart. They both said it's probably a done engine. So, after a bunch of tears and being upset I calmed down and decided that I am NOT buying a new car. No way. I love this car and it has zero rust, it's got four brand new winter tires on it as of two days ago, and it's never had any issues. So I've decided to have my mechanic look for an engine for it. While he's in there doing that I figure I'll ask him to put in a new clutch seeing I'm still on the original one. I figure that it will save on labor costs down the road because I'll probably need one within a year or two anyways. Might as well get it done while it's out right??? My question is this: What do you think of this? I am all for replacing the engine. A few friends just buy a new car. I think that is crazy because this one has been paid off for 4 years and I just invested $500 in tires and it's rust free. Oh and I love it. What do you all think? Thanks for reading!

 

hi,
I have a 2004 ex element(130,0000) that I blew the engine out of also. I had my mechanic replace it with an accord engine.Got it off the internet with 80,000 mi on it. While the car was in the shop, I also had a new clutch and thermostat installed. Car is home now, and I am happy to say the money was well spent. Runs like BRAND new again! Love that element.Good luck with yours.

 

The element (and anything else with a K-series engine) has a timing chain. Chances are it got run low on oil and the tensioner failed. K24s are normally pretty cheap, just drop another one in it.