This is my first post here and I am looking to gather some info as I am trying not to get ripped off by my dealer.

I just got my car (03 CL-S 6MT) back from the dealer after a check engine light came on and they said that its most likely a bent valve from high rev. I believe them based on what happened when I noticed the check engine light on; I was pulling out of a parking lot and a car changed lanes and was right behind me so I put on the throttle to gain some distance and probably took it up to 5K rpm in 1 and then quickly shifted and coasted down to a much more normal and comfortable speed.

My question is, how much does something like this cost, I was quoted 3500-4000 grand. I know very little about cars and even less about major repairs like these. I change my filters and oil and thats about as far as my mechanical skills go. I live in STL so if anybody knows where a cheaper and trustworthy shop is please let me know

 

Bent valves happen after missing gears, like instead of 4 th u hit 2nd and ur rpms sky rocket while car is going at a high speed that will cause the valves to bend, also how's the car running? any pinging?

 

i got all my valves replaced with gaskets and seals the whole shabang! it costed close to 2500cdn on my lude. Bent valves occurs when you downshift as there is no rev limiter for downshifting,so i doubt it occured with a hard launch . You probably downshifted when you were revving high and put it into a lower gear and boom! Shop around

 

Dang, happened to my honda motorcycle years ago and had to part it out. Sucks, sorry to hear that. Maybe look into swapping the motor out for a used one? I see them time to time on ebay for a lot cheaper than $3-4k. How many miles on your CL?

 

If there was a check engine light & the code read was an "engine overspeed condition" Then your screwed.

This is caused like others have said when you miss a gear on downshift. IN NO WAY can it happen while up shifting. That's what the rev limiter is for.

How's it run? Does it shake or seem to miss at idle? If not then it's likely ok. Several members have done this & were ok if it wasn't a drastic over rev.

 

Everything seems to run fine, I didn't here any knocking during the drive home from the dealer nor did the car shake at all during any breaking. In fact around 6:00 after the engine sat cold for a while I started it back up and had to drop off a movie and the engine light turned itself off. I know not to live or die by the lights on your dash but does that mean anything??

I am by no means a perfect manual driver and have missed gears before, but at the time the light came on, i know for a fact i didn't miss one. thanks for all the tips thus far. Tomorrow I'll try to take it to a local shop to get a second opinion.

EDIT: I didn't ask for the code from the manufacturer, this is my first instance with something of this magnitude and didn't know exactly what to ask for. If I call the dealership would they be able to give that to me so I can do my own "research?"

 

You need the code. That will tell you what it was. It could have been as simple as a misfire code due to broken traction.
You should invest in a code scanner. They are cheaper in the long run then heading to a shop or dealer to see what's wrong. Combine that with a service manual from www.helminc.com & you can find out yourself what's wrong. Or at least know about it so a shop or dealer doesn't BS you about repairs.

 

God I hope that was a misfire code, where would I go about investing in a code scanner, Autozone, Advance?? Will this scanner work on other cars or is it tuned to my specific vehicle? Also what manual do I need? I have no idea where to begin with this kind of stuff. Thanks a lot

 

Or you can just go to Autozone or Advance Auto and let them scan it, Autozone does it for free

 

The link I posted above is for a factory Acura service manual. Just type in your year & get the correct book.
You can use any OBDII(OBD2) code scanner. They all work the same & for all cars after 1996.
You can get a simple one that will read the code & then clear the code for around $60. The service manual will set you back around $80.

 

Thanks for the tip turbo, I'll head there tomorrow. Can I just google whatever code they give me and find what I need that way?

 

Yes you can.

 

If this was the case, I bent all of my valves on the tests drive then :P