Well, blew my ZC today. Here's the story:
Last run of the day, last turn, heading towards the timing lights I hear this faint knock that wasn't there a second ago. As I pull up to my parking spot I ask someone if I'm dragging something, he nods his head yes. Wheww I think. I get out and inspect the car, nothing being drug. Fire the car up again and blip the throttle, there's the knock. Not too pronounced but loud enough to cause me to fear for the 30 minute ride back to Greensboro. I talk to about a dozen different people, all of whom have an opinion but most center around pistons or bearings. But all agree that I should be ok for the trip home as long as I take it easy. OK, so i start to drive and the knock is still there, the more I drive the worse it gets so I decide to get off at the next exit and call AAA and get it towed, no use blowing my engine I say to myself. Well as I utter those words to myself...BOOOM! Terrible grinding sounds from under the car and smoke everywhere. I pull the car over and see a huge stream of oil being dumped onto the shoulder of the highway. ******* great.
So my ZC is no more and I think the CRX is done for too. I may keep it around and part it out or sell it as is but I will no longer drive the car. It's too much for me right now, I need reliability and this car just can't give me that at the moment. I'm really upset to have to get rid of it but I can't afford to do what needs to be done to make it reliable. I can afford car payments but not a big lump sum drop on getting her running again. I'm sure most of you can empathize with me on this, I love this car. I've had it for almost 7 years and thought I'd have it for much longer.
So who knows, there may be an ITR in the future for me if I can find one at a reasonable price. Or maybe a new Si, who knows. I have this sinking feeling that nothing I drive will make me feel like this CRX has in the past few years. Man, I can't believe I'm actually getting emotional over a possetion, but this will definately leave a hole in my life for a while.
Any suggestions on what to get next?
Here's a pic of what she looked like a year ago, I'll post recent pics as soon as I get around to it. http://maybelle.home.mindspring.com/...de%20view2.jpg
Gimme some support, I need it now.
Evan

 

I feel your pain man...I went through something similar with my ZC (b4 I got my B16). I was on the highway doing around 120km/h when all of sudden I hear this funny grinding/knocking sound....then I look in my rearview and see a ton of blue smoke comming outta my exhaust...pull over and pop the hood...oil everywhere...then the waves of nasuea slammed into my gut. Had it towed and parked for 6months, so that I could save for the B16.

have a and take it in stride.

 

Save your money and buy a B16. It took me 2 zc's to come upon this conclusion. B-series=bulletproof. Don't give up hope, my car has blown up twice, been smashed up bad, and most recently vandelized. Keep the dream alive, there is nothing beter than a second gen crx. You couldn't give me $40k for my car I love it too much, too mach history, blood sweat and tears have gone into it.

 

I blew mine up too. Sold it to a guy I know and he gave me the low down on what happened when he took it apart.

Bad valve seals
damaged head gasket
rings were gone

I guess the motor was just tired and finally a bunch of things gave out. I now have a b16 and I hope that this motor will last a bit longer.

 

Sorry for your loss, man. Everybody else remember that when you hear a knock from your engine turn it offf and pull over...these things never turn out good.

 

How many Rev's were you doing?

how long was it running at those revs?

you don't boost do you?

to here these stories scares the hell out of me!!

 

i feel yoru pain, but ive always told everyone that zc's suck. id take a sohc over oen anyday

 

at the most 7K, if that, mostly second gear stuff. The ride home was around 2800rpm going 50-55 in a 65 zone on the highway.
I wasn't near the rev limiter for more than a second or two, the course was wet so there weren't a lot of WOT sections except the end.

sorry for the edits, i've been out drinkin to forget
[Modified by xevanx, 11:47 PM 3/17/2002]


[Modified by xevanx, 11:48 PM 3/17/2002]

 

Did it start @ the autocross at LJVM?

Let me know by email integra@triad.rr.com if you are going to sell whats left of the car, and if so, how much. I need a daily driver until my car gets done and this would be a good start. Then I'm sure I could turn it into a drag car once I get some bills paid off on my new motor. I wouldn't need the wheels, interior, etc if you wanted to sell it... Thanks a lot.

 

have you actually ever owned a ZC...
ever heard the term "best bang for your buck"...
i loved my old ZC so much, i'm getting another one for my new car, i'm never gonna "move up" to a b16. **** b-series. overrated and overplayed.

 

If your not planning to turbo your ZC then I'd take the B16 over the ZC anyday. I've owned both and just love the way the B16 revs....I guess it's just a personal choice, cause a 1st gen B16 can be had for relatively cheap (Got mine for $750 Cdn with an S1 trans and PR3 ECU).

 

I hope everything works out for you! I know its hard, and disheartining, but keep you chin up if the CRX is what you really love. You can always buy a reliable beater for $600 and then save for the REX rebuild!!

-Jake

 

....i'm not trying to be like those people in large cities who look in the obituaries to find "recently" available good apartments, but are you willing to sale the valve cover off of it...think of it as an "organ" donation that can make the life of a fellow zc much longer and happy

sorry for the loss
crxagogo
....I can pick it up/real close by

 

I'll let you know what I decide to do with the parts. I'm gonna go look at it today and see if anything else is f'ed.
Evan