I bought and installed a 1st gen B16a in the spring of this year. It took awhile to get running properly, mostly due to the IACV. (some thanks to H-T) It ran fine for about 15000kms over the summer. When I drive it I don't redline it constantly or anything like that. It basically took all the money I saved this summer to buy this engine so I'm going to be somewhat careful with it.

Now the problem. This morning I was on the highway for about two hours just cruising at about 120km/h. All of the sudden "bam!" I pull over, pop the hood and see the spark plug wire has been forced up through the spark plug cover. I can only assume that a connecting rod has broken. It was cylinder three. Is this a common problem and what could have caused this? And also is there any chance that the head or the block are still good?

And finally do you think it would be better to break out the visa get it rebuilt or get a new b16a engine?

Thanks for your time.


Modified by Black4thgenEF at 6:24 PM 12/17/2005

 

I know someone can answer this!

 

usually a connecting rod breaking pokes a hole in the block. you need to stat taking it apart to see what went wrong rather than guessing.

 

I'm going to school here and it's about 1500kms away from home where I would be able to pull the head. I was just looking for a "what is the usual damage" and such. Thanks for the input though, any others?

 

well the thing is you cant assume anything.

 

Ok then. Has anyone had this happen and if so, what was the damage??

 

As he said, your just going to have to start pulling stuff off and see the problem. USually when you break a connecting rod...this happens

see pics below

 

My old b16, 1st gen

In a way i'm kinda happy it blew...now i'm sportin a b20/vtec (181 at the wheels) and a **** load more torque than a b16 will ever have

 

so why dont you take out or try taking out the spark plug and kinda see whats up?

 

Thanks alot for the info and pics. There are definately no holes in the block (could be because I was only at 4000rpm). I tried to get a plug socket on the spark plug but it was on too much of an angle (not enough time to put in more effort).

I ended up having to just catch a flight home for christmas although I would have preferred to work out my cars problems first. I got a good deal so I had to go($112 Westjet).

I think I'm going to have to get another motor while I'm close to Toronto and if it turns out that the other block isn't completely ruined, possibly build it up over the next summer. I was hoping to start collecting turbo parts then anyway.

Thanks for your help and if anyone else has anything to say, I'd be happy to hear it.