blew engine...need help - Honda Prelude Forum

GoneLudey · 05-25-2002, 11:57 AM

1992 Si w/ 165k miles
Well, yesterday was the last day of school, and my car decides to die! I was gettin ready to pull out and revved at my friend in his prelude, and it starts to whine really loud. It sounded like a belt rubbin against some metal, and its pitch rose with the rpm's. So I try to hobble it home, and on the way at a red light it quit whining and started making a REALLY loud knocking noise. I was really close, so I got it home and parked it. I think it sounded like a valve hittin the piston really hard or a slung rod, but I'm not sure. I'm a REALLY broke high school kid who needs this fixed cheaply. I heard it might end up takin a new engine, so another question might be: should I replace the H23, build it for turbo, or do a H22 swap? I was gonna go for speed after I got rubber for my 18's, but looks like I might be sellin them now to pay for the engine. ANY HELP APPRECIATED!

sporttheimport · 05-25-2002, 12:41 PM

If I were in your shoes, I would immediatly call JDMhondaparts.com and see if they have any H23 long blocks in stock. this is your cheapest solution next to finding a used engine here in the US from somebody. the new H23 replacement wont be extensive and expensive (hey that rhymed!

) like the H22 swap would be. u could easily get your new H23 up and running in 2.5 weeks (2 weeks for shipping and a day to install). Anywho, thats what I would do If i were you (I rhymed again!). hope this helped.

take care,
tim

GoneLudey · 05-26-2002, 12:29 PM

If it was just a broken rod, is that anything close to a do-it-yourselfer? I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but if a rod is expensive, or it's a pretty hard procedure, I'll just say screw it and pay someone to do it quick.

red92si · 05-26-2002, 12:35 PM

I dont think that replacing a rod is a do-it-yourself kind of job. Also, if you are a broke high school student, then why are you thinking of building the engine for Turbo, or putting in a H22A? Turbo = $$$, and I think your problem could be more cheaply fixed by just using stock H23A parts. Good Luck.

chance031977 · 05-27-2002, 11:22 AM

you can replace the rod yourself just takes some patience and a helms manual. i would be more worried about damage to the crank or block. just take the head and oil pan off and inspect the the cylinder and crank and if no scarring replace the rod. you could also replace the piston rings while you're at it.