Picked up a clean 2013 CRV LX FWD super cheap,with 38,000 miles with a bad engine. Starts but runs on 3 cylinders and puts out enough blue smoke to kill all the mosquitos in my neighborhood. There is no compression on cylinder #1 but the other 3 are around 170 psi. Differential pressure test has air escaping from the intake and exhaust when those valves are open but when the valves are closed, air is escaping from the oil filler from the crankcase. The piston also does not move when cranking. Basically I suspect a broken rod. Vehicle has no warranty by the way.

So so before I replace the engine with a salvage yard unit, I wondered if it would be worth it to pull the head and see if the cylinder walls are damaged. If not, pull the oil pan and see if anything is damaged other than the rod and piston. My question is has anyone successfully replaced a piston in a newer CRV without removing the engine? If so, any tips and things to watch out for would be greatly appreciated.

 

Take the injector out and use a bore scope to check cylinder walls, you can then make decision on whether to remove head and oil pan to rectify the engine.

Kev

 

That was my thought as well. I'll see if I can borrow a bore scope. Although I found a shop at will swap the motor for $650 if I provide the engine. Lots on eBay from LKQ for $880 delivered. Might be worth starting with a newer low mile motor instead of messing with this one. I assume by your comment it is possible to replace a piston in car with the head and oil pan off the motor?