I have had an intermittent oil light since I bought the car last February. The dealer had determined that it was a faulty oil pump last summer, and it was replaced. Problem solved, or so we thought....

The elusive oil light came back on two weeks ago randomly, and I took the car in to the dealer on Thursday morning. I got a call from my service rep, and he said they had dropped the oil pan and found metal shavings in the bottom...

Not good.

He also said that the mechanic thought he heard "rod knock" and we could possibly have to replace the engine due to potential bearing seizure.

Yup, you read correctly: replace the engine.

So, we are waiting for a regional Acura rep to confirm the diagnosis and ok the repair. I have 8k or so left on my CPO, and have only owned the car a year. Every maintenance interval has been strictly met with a trip to the dealer, so I know I'm fine with the warranty.

I just can't believe that my car is potentially in this bad of shape.

For now I'm driving a brand new TL loaner, which is a nice car. It's just not the same as the RL.

Wish me luck, and I'd love to hear if anyone else has experienced anything like this.

TIA,

 

Keep us updated - sorry for your headache. Acura will take care of you.

 

Definitely keep us posted.

And +1 on Acura taking care of you.

 

Well, we have an update. My service rep confirmed yesterday that they are going to completly replace the short block, and are going to take a hard look at the heads. The mechanic surmised that the engine had a tolerance issue early on, and was fated to seizure. Apparantly there were several slivers of metal found in the bottom of the oil pan, which had been shorn from God knows where.

Evidently, the insurance rep for Acura tried to vascilate about whether the car was being correctly maintained, etc. My service rep shut that down immediately, though, so I am happy he kept them in line. They will be covering everything.

In any event, it's been stressful and I am concerned about how the car will be effected on value at resale. I am looking forward to having a brand new engine; it should certainly perform better than it did.

Anyway, when I get the car back, I will update everyone as to how it performs, what they do on the warranty going forward, etc.

Wish me luck--

 

Awesome! Glad Acura, and your dealer in particular, is taking good care of you.

 

This story pisses me off.. luckily you are getting taken care of through Acura, and your local dealer.

 

Hats off to your dealer and Acura.

 

Which dealer? Did you go north or south Austin?
good luck, sounds like mostly good news esp if you are gonna keep it long term. if you wanna sell sooner, it may be effected.
glad the dealer is supporting you, they don't always. I assume you bought it at the same dealer, that probably helped a lot.

 

"For sale: 2005 TL, *very* low miles on engine..."