Ladies and Gentlemen:
G
I am a proud owner of a 2006 Honda Element. I have maintained it according to my owners' manual, to include taking it to the dealer for service every 10, 000 miles. Recently, it had been stalling at idle (usually at a stop sign, etc) when cold, then running well once warm. It had the engine light come on, then go off: the code waas PO303 for cylinder misfire. The dealer mechanic theorized that the vehicle sitting for a long period of time (i. e. when it was shipped to Europe and back) may have contributed to this, though I do not see how this could be a factor. Though there is no antifreeze in my oil, the dealer mechanic has disgnosed a blown head gasket, and isrecommending an engine replacement. Cost including labor is $4400 (!). Any help or advice would be welcome, as would the name of a good (non-dealer) Honda-qualified mechanic in the Fort Polk/Leesville, LA area.

 

PO303 is a misfire in the #3 cylinder. Try swapping the coil pack from another cylinder and see if the problem follows that coil.

Did the mechanic find low compression in the #3 cylinder? That COULD indicate a bad headgasket, or a chipped valve, or a ring issue...... What is the basis for the "blown head gasket" diagnosis? Are there combusted gasses in the coolant? Did he do a leakdown test?

 

Many thanks for this information. At least I know what questions to ask now. Any other suggested questions to help "fault-isolate" this will be most welcome.

 

Just like what has been said before, make sure they do a full and proper check. The dealer just want to up sale and up sale, I know I used to work for Acura, and left because I was not going to rip people off.

Just make sure that the next shop you go to, that you get a full report with proof of the work they did.

 

You can get a reputable shop that knows how to work on hondas ( any shop because the engines are like lego's ) could fix your blown head gasket for prolly like 6-700$ tops.

New engine my *** hole.

 

Hopefully you can go to another dealer or a local reputable shop.

It's sad there's dealerships that are actually just stealerships. I worked at a local Honda dealership and for the most part it was quite honorable work.

 

Try to replace the coil pack, like the guy above said, and then perform a compression test on the cylinders. You can rent the tool at AutoZone for completely free - all you do is take out the spark plugs and screw the tool into the holes that the spark plugs go in. You do it one at a time, and have someone turn over the engine a few times. Get a dry and a wet reading - meaning, test them all normally, then go back and test them all again, putting a small squirt of oil down in the spark plug holes. Write down all of your numbers. The numbers should tell you whether or not you have a blown HG. I'm guessing that the Honda mechanic is either trying to throw parts at it, or just ripping you off. No bueno!