Hey guys, new to the forums here.

I just purchased my 99 Prelude SH about a month ago. I got a great deal on it, the problem is the engine isnt running so well. I'm getting misfiring codes on all cylinders after replacing ignition wires, dizzy cap and rotor and plugs. After that I took it to the local Honda dealership, Val Strough Honda in Monterey and had them run a diagnostic. They told me I needed the valves adjusted and my timing belt needed to be changed. So I told them to go ahead and do it.

Then they called me back later that day and told me that while they were taking the crank pulley off they found out the crank pulley bolt had been helicoiled. I dont know that much about cars but from what I understand a helicoil is something you put in when you have stripped the threads so I guess the previous owner torqued the bolt too much or something. Anyways the shop is telling me that they cant change the timing system if theres a helicoil in there and that removing it and repairing the damage would cost more than a brand new short block from Honda, they quoted me at $3000. That seemed ridiculously high when you can get used turn keys for around 2000, right? Granted, this is for a brand new OEM short block. So are these guys screwing with me? Is this engine really as screwed as they say? What would you guys do?

I have to apoligize for my lack of knowledge, I bought this car because I'm really interested in them and want to learn but this is just way over my head at this point. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hirousuke &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Then they called me back later that day and told me that while they were taking the crank pulley off they found out the crank pulley bolt had been helicoiled. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Wow. How the F*** do you strip it? I don't even own a tool strong enough to do that!

So, err, why were they removing the crank pulley?

-Chris

 

Well, they were replacing the whole timing system and the water pump. The engine is at 98k miles so they said I should have that done. I talked to their tech but I didnt understand most of what he said. He said they were trying to remove the bolt and something broke off and fell into the engine. So thats why I'm kinda stuck right now. Otherwise I would have just had them replace the belt and leave the pulley alone. Those pulleys do get worn down and fall apart after a while though right? I guess mine was worn down.

 

Make them fix it at no charge, they should have notified you of any issues before they started working on it. The fact that they were trying to remove the bolt and "something" fell into the engine was apparently their fault, true it may have been messed up before, but they are the ones who were working on it when that something broke. Talk to a manager or owner (if you absolutely have to) of the dealership if you have to. Don't let em rip you off.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by joinerneal &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Make them fix it at no charge, they should have notified you of any issues before they started working on it. The fact that they were trying to remove the bolt and "something" fell into the engine was apparently their fault, true it may have been messed up before, but they are the ones who were working on it when that something broke. Talk to a manager or owner (if you absolutely have to) of the dealership if you have to. Don't let em rip you off.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Where did you get that some thing fell into the engine? The heli coil is from the crank pulley bolt not from something else. They would not have known about the crank pulley bolt until they tried taking it off.

If you can, try to acquire a Sh block and then have them replace it with that, instead of them getting you one. That seems really extreme though. Hopefully someone has a better alternative.

 

I'm not sure, I'm just repeating what the tech told me. I can try calling him again tomorrow and have him explain more clearly. He made it sound like the helicoil broke off. Does that even happen?

 

Wait maybe im missing something, why would u need a new block if the crank pulley bolt was stripped ??? Doesnt it screw into the crank .....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kornerk12 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wait maybe im missing something, why would u need a new block if the crank pulley bolt was stripped ??? Doesnt it screw into the crank .....</TD></TR></TABLE>

because Honda will replace with a factory short block before the will rebuild a block.

 

k, my bad

 

sounds like they may have tried to take it off and messed it up. then they tried to fix it. and could not do so. now they r trying to put the cost on you. if there is a helly coil in there tell them to just do the job. if it came out and was in there good enough to hold it in the 1st place tell them to put it the way it was.