Hello everyone, I am new to this website, but I do have slight Honda knowledge. Anyways, getting down to it, I am looking at buying a 2001 Honda CRV ( Automatic, 2WD ). *EDIT* I forgot to mention that the vehicle is almost bone stock. It has the original B20 motor, and transmission that came with this vehicle package. */EDIT*It has a minor *hopefully* problem. The engine will crank over and start running, but if left at an idle it will stall out. However, if the engine starts over, and the accelerator is held down and the RPMs are kept up, it will remain running. Even if the accelerator is being used to keep the engine running, it doesn't sound very healthy. He said it ran perfectly fine, then it died on him when he got to a stop sign, or when he started it up from someones house. I'm not sure how accurate that is, but that is what I was told.

I was initially thinking that there was something wrong with the timing, and a friend (who knows Hondas better than I) also said that it could be due to timing, but he couldn't say without looking at it himself.

I'm not sure if it makes a difference or not in this case, but when it initially starts, revving or not, it makes a pretty loud screeching noise from one of the belts or pulleys or something in that area. The owner said it may need a new crankshaft pulley, and new rod bearings, but I didn't get a chance to look at the pulley and a lot of other stuff with fine detail due to a tight schedule.
Anyways, Any help would be GREATLY appreciated, and I give thanks in advance to anyone who can offer some Honda Insight. (See what I did there?) =P

 

The B20 engine has a problem where if not properly maintained (most people suggest every 30,000 miles valve adjustment) the valves will tighten and burn.

A leakdown test would be nice if you can run that to get compression.

What are the miles on the engine?


I am almost certain the screeching is from the starter. Mine does it in the cold basically from what i've been told it gets a little stuck and screetches. I wouldn't be overly concerned with that as many people have this problem. Mine only does it in cold weather.

 

The Owner said it has 186,000 miles on it. I can ask my dad if I can take it to his shop and see if he can perform the leakdown test after I get the car.

The owner is selling it dirt cheap ( $600 ) because he knows nothing about cars and thinks a stalled engine is too scary to do himself, and his parents are buying him a new car anyways.

If the issue is with the valves, how hard are they to replace/repair in these engines?

Thanks again for the help!

 

For $600 who cares what's wrong with it? Especially if the body is decent that's a steal. You can get another B20 for as much as you paid for the whole car if you shop around.