So, today I checked out a sweet '97 H22A Prelude in mint condition. Everything seems perfect, except for the motor. It's got a nasty tapping noise from the valve cover area, almost sounds like a diesel. You can hear it for yourself here:
I was able to drive it around the parking lot, but couldn't take it on the road, no chance to engage VTEC, but seemed to run fine in the lot.
Dealer claimed that the noise happened suddenly as he was driving, but that the shop couldn't tell him anything without taking it apart. Price is at least $1,000 under market...
I'm a decent home mechanic (managed an engine swap on my own a few years ago), but I'm not too good with noises. Any ideas as to what this might be? Simple valve adjustment? Cam bearings? I noticed two empty bottles of oil in the trunk: not a good sign. No evidence of smoke in the exhaust, or valve cover gasket leaks. No CEL, either.
Could be the timing belt slapping around because of a failing autotensioner, or it could be knocking. Unless the car is being sold dirt cheap, just pass that one up.
Why couldn't you take it out on the road? This sounds like a bad deal all around. Can't do a proper test drive, engine noise, empty oil bottles. I'd pass.
FYI, most H22As will burn oil, some more than others. It's possible this one was driven while very low on oil causing damage to the engine. I'd be concerned about those empty oil bottles in the trunk.
I'm not sure that sound is from a failing auto tensioner. I've had 2 of them go out on me and it didn't quite sound like that. I could be wrong though, it's hard to tell from a video.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by gatewayjoe
ya the bolt got stuck and broke off he said it crossed thred and thays why they got a replacement engine so is there a why to fis it are do i need a new crank
The car was so cheap that I figured worst case, I'd just swap the motor out. Well, the dealer delivered the car to the house, and I pulled the valve cover off right away, and it looked like a chocolate milkshake in there.
The coolant reservoir and under the radiator cap looks like there's no oil in there, but based on the empty coolant bottles in the trunk, I can only assume that they refilled the coolant just prior to me checking the car out.
At this point, I'm having a hard time deciding if I should replace the head gasket, and try to track down the cause of the noise, or just swap in a good motor. I'd hate to waste time and money replacing gaskets, belts, etc, when it could be a cracked head or block. Also don't know how much the previous owner ran it in this condition, and the potential for bearings to be shot...
Does coolant in the oil help with figuring out where the noise is coming from?
I've also heard of a bad oil cooler causing coolant in the oil, but haven't really seen mention of it on Prelude forums. Anyone have any experience with it?
My feedback: Take it back to the dealer and get your money back. But since you seem so intent on keeping it, I would suggest an engine swap instead of a rebuild. I had an engine rebuilt a few years ago and it was a horrible experience.
What did you pay if you don't mind me asking? I wish I (or someone else) had suggested getting the car inspected by a mechanic before buying it.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by gatewayjoe
ya the bolt got stuck and broke off he said it crossed thred and thays why they got a replacement engine so is there a why to fis it are do i need a new crank
Well, the whole thing is complicated by the fact that I'm living in Germany.
'ludes are pretty hard to come by, and since I'd already done an H22 swap on a 4th gen a few years back, I priced a JDM H22 before going in on this car. Paid €2700 (which comes out to around $3650), and aside from the motor, the car is in pristine shape, has around 50,000 miles on it. Add another €650 for the JDM motor, and I'll have spent €3350 (plus stuff like timing belt, water pump, etc) in total.
The dealer was pretty up-front about "engine damage", but he definitely wasn't forthcoming about the coolant in the oil, which I'm pretty sure he knew. I don't really mind, though... Like I said, I was basically thinking "engine swap" at the time of purchase. Just wondered if it might be worth investing a little bit of time (and cash) to bring this motor back...
I'm actually thinking about paying another €1800 for a JDM Type R front clip, which will get me 220 hp and LSD (I think). Then I can sell all the redundant parts, and end up with a pretty nice upgrade for nearly the same price as just the motor.
I think I'll try my luck with the head gasket on the original motor first, though...
Well, I'm partway through trying to pull the head, and change the head gasket. I've ordered a new timing belt/balance belt, water pump of course, and also the manual tensioner kit. I've never done a timing belt or head gasket, so it should be interesting... I'm not looking forward to that pulley bolt!
I never did find the source of the noise, but I'm hoping that once the new head gasket is on, and the coolant-contaminated oil is replaced, and a valve adjustment done, that hopefully the noise will be gone, too...
Worst case, I can always do a motor swap, and I'll want all that stuff I'd just ordered anyway, aside from the head gasket. Sure hope it doesn't come to that, though!
'ludes are pretty hard to come by, and since I'd already done an H22 swap on a 4th gen a few years back, I priced a JDM H22 before going in on this car. Paid €2700 (which comes out to around $3650), and aside from the motor, the car is in pristine shape, has around 50,000 miles on it. Add another €650 for the JDM motor, and I'll have spent €3350 (plus stuff like timing belt, water pump, etc) in total.
What ?
$3650 for a 4th gen JDM H22 Motor ?
Or do you mean like 3650 pennies?
That sounds rediculous
I thought it was a max 2K-3K for a JDM Motor for a 5th Gen Prelude ...
I just got around to replacing the head gasket on the old motor, and it didn't help at all. While I had the head off, I saw that there was coolant in the #4 cylinder. New head gasket made no difference, so it's gotta be either a cracked head or block. JDM H22s have doubled in price since last year, I guess since they quit making 'ludes, they're harder to come by now. Bummer.
Still, planning on getting one eventually. All I need is a way to lift the old motor out, and the new one in...
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Linear Mode
