I took my 2005 TL 6 speed manual to my Acura Service to get the service completed. My check engine lights has been going on and off for the last 1 1/2 year. I have complained about it and each time they could not find anything. They just informed me that they had find out my valves have been damaged by the pistons. They said it is caused by down shifting and causing the engine to red line???? And it may not be covered by Acura Care. $3500 - $4000 is the estimate. I have never abuse this car. I don't go at high speed and I would never down shift to cause the engine to red line. Thoughts?

 

You've given them plenty of time to find the problem and because they didn't, the damage happened.

There's no reason why you should have to pay for it. The dealership is responsible.

 

^^^ THIS

did you every shift from 4th to 3rd instead of 5th ???

 

huh?you're blaming the dealer without knowing the full story.

to the OP: did you buy the car brand new or used?
you said the the CEL's have been going on for about a year and a half. all it takes is one bad shift.

I've done it before.
went from 5 to 2nd. FUCKKKKKK!

assuming from the join date, he bought brand new.

 

If the owner has repeatedly brought in a car for a problem that the dealership failed to diagnose, they cleared the code and sent him on his way, why would the owner be responsible for the damage?

 

^what if they diagnosed it correctly the first time?
bent valves would still fall on the owner, because it is an over rev condition.

to the OP: I would get a second opinion on your bent valves.

 

Yes I had bought this car brand new. The check engine light would go and off at times a year ago. Each time I took the car in they could never get an error code ?? So they would just tell me to monitor it. Recently the check engine light would come on and stay on for awhile and disappear. I don't think I have ever down shifted from 4th to 3rd instead of 5th gear.

The dealer is stated the cause of the damage was due to me down shifted and having it red line. I am almost positive I have never done this before. But if I think I would have notice it.

Any suggestion or help with be great. I really do not want to shell out 3500 - 4000 for something I don't think is my fault? How would I get a second opinion on my bent valves?

Thank you

 

What type of inspection did the dealership do to diagnose the valve damage?
I assume that the dealership did not remove the heads, but let us know if that is the case.

How long did the dealership have the car for the inspection-- an hour, half an hour, the entire day? Did you get anything in writing noting differences in compression between cylinders?

A good independent mechanic or independent shop, or a trustworthy dealership shop.
Where are you located geographically?

 

Yes they took the head off. They had the car for 2 weeks now.

Again I think if I down shifted I would have notice?? If I did , wouldn't this be recorded?

Also I gave them approval for the tear down thinking all of this would be cover by Acura Care. BUT they are stating this probably would need to come out of my pocket.

 

^^^ yes a 4th to 3rd instead of 5th or a 5th to 2nd instead of 4, you would have notice it big time.....you would have redlined/revved like a mother....

 

^i noticed mine.
but luckily i didnt damage anything, I caught it in time.

the RPMs SHOT WAY PAST 7.
I didnt release the clutch all the way tho.



OP: since the car is already torn down, they need to show you the bent valves.
take pictures. have them point out what is wrong.

then post here.

 

^^^

 

Picture from dealer and explanation.

http://imgur.com/AGDRZ

http://imgur.com/K2wP8

http://imgur.com/7SQFr


here are pictures of the top of the pistons where they physically have collided with the exhaust valves. The tip of the screwdriver is there to point out the half moon shape in the top of the piston.

 

Wow. So what are you going to do?

 

lemme help you:

 

OMG this really happens? So let me get this straight, over time the plugs actually back out of the head? What causes that? Just simple compression? Is this actually normal?

 

there was a thread somewhere which mentioned check ur plug every 60K miles.....as they tend to back out....