Hi Guys,
I need some help. I have a 2002 TL Type S, with 60,400 miles. The engine seized on me last week. Had to have it towed to the Acura dealership in Auburn, MA. They are claiming engine is dead & needs to be replaced. The cost is supposed to be US$8000 to be split 50/50. My question is this car has been regularly maintained & serviced at the dealer. Should the engine on a TL with only 60K seize and die on you. This is my 3rd Acura & I am beginning to wonder what happened here?? Any advice & suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Should I contact Acura/Honda of America & make some noise??? Thanks Charles

 

Did they provide any more detail as to what was the cause of the engine seizing? Seems a little strange.

 

Isn't the powertrain warranty good for 75k or 100k?

 

Maybe I should give you a little history. This vehicle is my back up vehicle, don't usually drive it. If I do usually in town. Last week I had to go see a friend in New York. On the way at 70 mph, there was a bang [like gunshot], puff of smoke in the rear, engine vibrated & then I lost total power. Won't start. So I had it towed. What the service tech is saying is: somehow, or the other, antifreeze got into the engine, causing a spark plug to blow out, & I guess the cylinder that the spark plus is in, also caused the piston to be smashed to smithereens or something along those lines. thx Charlie

 

damn man thats messed up.....isnt the engine and tranny covered until 100k ?

 

I am not certain if the power train warranty on a 2002 is good for 75k to 100k. Any one on here have a bulletin or link that says so?? That would be helpful.
Thx Charlie

 

Wow. 8k for an engine from Acura.... Sounds like you'd be better off with a used one.

No - the warranty on powertrain is 4/50k. The tranny was extended - not the engine.

 

According to the powertrain warranty, the engine should be covered up 75k. So, hopefullly you will be fully covered. Double check your powertrain warranty information, and hopefully speaking to acura customer service will help you to get that engine covered. 8k is steep for a rebuilt engine.

 

Bumper to Bumper is 4/50k. Powertrain should be like 6-7 year 70k. And since it was maintained by the dealer, should be no questions asked and you shouldn't have to pay a dime.

 

Dealer is claiming Acura will split the 8k 50/50 with me..but if it is covered to 75K and you have any bulletin from Acura that says so...please point me in that direction, or URL. If not, if you have the Customer Care number for Acura/Honda of America, pleae can I have it? Once again..Thx Charlie

 

is this the first 2G TL motor to blow?

 

I would go to Acura Owners Link , and enter your VIN. You should be able to get all the information you need on your A-Ride

Yes Siiir!

 

wonder if the timing belt broke?

 

The Service tech does not say & at 60k.....why would the timing belt break?? I mean I hardly drive this car. Sorry to sound clueless. Thx

 

Warranties Do Not Cover:
• Replacement of maintenance items such as, but not limited to, spark plugs, filters, hoses, belts, coolant or lubricants beyond their first required maintenance point.

Seems like the dealership is using this clause against you. BS IMO

 

Yup & I just called cutomer care & they are saying that engine on the '02 has only a 4yr/50k warranty.....so I guess I am SOL [Shyte Out of Luck].

 

Where are you guys finding these extended engine warranty claims?

 

By the way I did take a peak at my vehicle on the Acura Owners Link page & it does not say anything about warranty of engine over 50k miles. Any suggestions after I get this back, trade her in for a 2004 TL? Get a 3.5 RL instead or jump ship...G35x???? Thanks Charlie

 

It's listed (Owner Link) under warranty/contracts - PDF file

 

I think they are referring to new vehicles. They raised the warranty on the powertrain as Ford and GM did because of competition from the Korean cars.

These enhanced warranties are NOT retroactive. They are for new cars only.

 

Sorry I do not have anything but generic, warranty & contracts info..etc etc. NO pdf. If you do not mind I can give you my e-mail addy if you can mail me this pdf. Thx Charlie

 

Because shit happens? (soprry to be so blunt) Its a rare thing that our engine dies (one of the first ive seen) but nothing is perfect. Id look into a used low mileage engine before i paid that much for a new one.

I bought a used Type-s motor with 32k on it for my conversion for 800 bucks. Something to think about

 

Did you ever have the engine overheat? Sounds like a blown head gasket which is rare for our cars.

 

Get a used motor. 8k is a rip off even if they split is 50/50. I'm having a motor built and its no where near 8k..and thats with buying another shortblock/heads and everything else.

 

That is what the dealer said...and they have the vehicle. So do I stop them & where can I source a used engine??? thx Charlie

 

can you use a lemon law on it?my brother throw a lemon law on his ITR when it broke down the 3rd time on our way to florida.so now he driving a S4!

 

It's in your owners manual.

 

online is a good place to start.

 

Depends on the state, but it's doubtful. It generally has to be a reaccuring problem where they have tried to fix it repeatedly, but failed. In FL I think the lemon law only goes for 2 years from date of purchase.

 

Dude, find out exactly what's wrong. If it's engine block, belt fawking up the heads, etc.
The new block from factory is just under $1400 at acuraautomotiveparts.org

 

Guess I am SOL..the Dealer is going to do a block & piston replacement, plus replace the water pump as it somehow leaked fluid into the engine, plus something to do with the bearings or Crank etc etc etc. Should be done by Monday or Tuesday. Question?? Dealer claims car is going to be as good as 0000000 miles on the odometer. Should I keep this car? Trade her in for an 04 TL or RL or get away from Acura & do an Infiniti G35X??? Your advice & counsel will be greatly appreciated. Thx Charlie

 

For that price i WOULDNT let them rebuild it!!!

And yes the motor will be as good as new. It would be new. What happened to you isnt normal and rare.

 

Unusual things do happen, and in your case it is not something you have to trade in after repair. chances are it will not happen again. You trade the car in or sell it because it has too many problems, or repeated problems, not because something broke unusually.

Believe it or not, I had the car in the shop and rented a KIA Optima. I was shocked that the car was amazingly smooth and quiet, transmission is sooo smooth, SS is nice, you can hold on any speed. no hickup, no jerk shifting on cold morning start and drive. Performance is unbelievable. It is comparable to Honda and Toyota products. with its 100k warranty, Honda and Toyota will have hard time to compete. As older people will be more attracted to the price and warranty. KIA does have problems like any other cars, but we all know no car is perfect. At first I thought its best is more likely comparable to prizm or so.

 

They quoted you for a new engine replacement, and said they will split 50/50. then do the rebuilt on the engine; meaning your paying 100%, not 50/50. If they rebuilt the engine, 50/50 should be 2k. They jacked up the price, then said theyll do 50/50 for you to feel good about it.

 

Actually he is getting a new engine. They replace the engine with a new small block. Which comes with all new pistons, cams, etc. But it still requires you to reinstall other items from the old engine on to the new one.