Last Friday my 2014 puked all over my driveway what turned out to be a mixture of engine oil and coolant. Had to tow it into Honda as over the phone it sounded like it was a blown head gasket. Just heard back today the rear cylinder head is cracked, from what they suspect was a bad casting. Apparently extensive contamination issues Honda wants to replace the head, radiator, and every rubber hose in the car. It appears to all be covered under the warranty and the local dealer/service manager has been great and very helpful. They noted there is one more flush test that has to happen that could result in them asking Honda to replace the entire motor. I only drove from work to home which is 2 miles so no serious overheating or anything like that. Guess caught it before anything worse than a messed up driveway happened but I just can't escape the thought on just how much I will trust this one when I get it back in a week or two. Anybody have had a similar issue?
frosendo
I had the engine replaced in my A6 at about 75k mi. There were some gremlins for awhile. I would ask that they replace all the relevant components in the engine completely. In my case, there were a few things they didn't replace because it wasn't necessary. If you don't have an extended warranty, I might ask Honda if they can offer you Honda Care for free or dramatically reduced. Their PR folks won't want to suggest this type of issue is common.
Interesting... I know the Civic engine blocks from a few years ago also had a casting flaw and some of them would leak/crack. I suspect you have a manufacturing defect and not much more. If this were pervasive we would have heard many more problems. I would insist that the entire engine be replaced but that is me!
I, too, would try for a complete engine replacement. Whenever the factory "seal" is broken, there are so many things which can go wrong with the repair, and such flaws nmay not show up for many miles down the road, when there will be no recourse for the owner. Factory assembly will, ideally, torque everything correctly, but techs doing a major job are unlikely to be that accurate.
Jerry O.
Jerry O.
Still waiting to hear back on what the final determination is to either replace the motor or the defective head+al rubber hoses.
If they want to replace the motor I will have way more questions. Do they replace with a NEW motor or with factory reconditioned / refurbished motors? Not sure I want to exchange for something with unknown miles. I don't know that's how its done, just not sure is all.
Already have the mind set to trade in the car ASAP if there is something I don't like.
If they want to replace the motor I will have way more questions. Do they replace with a NEW motor or with factory reconditioned / refurbished motors? Not sure I want to exchange for something with unknown miles. I don't know that's how its done, just not sure is all.
Already have the mind set to trade in the car ASAP if there is something I don't like.
In all likelyhood, you'll get a re-manufactured engine, Honda will most certainly never give you a "new" engine. In most cases, the re-maned engine is probably in better condition than a new one.
Because they are hand-built using seasoned blocks. Where do you think they would get a 2012 engine anyway - they have been out of production for some time - it has to be a remanufactured 2012 engine. I agree the engine should be replaced. The clue is 'puked all over my driveway what turned out to be a mixture of engine oil and coolant'.
The engine ran for an indeterminate period with coolant mixing with the oil. Typically this is cause for a replacement. And for those who don't like the idea of a remanufactured engine or transmission, how would you like a used engine or trans with equal miles on it to the one you had? That's not going to happen but legally it could be the minimum requirement.
The engine ran for an indeterminate period with coolant mixing with the oil. Typically this is cause for a replacement. And for those who don't like the idea of a remanufactured engine or transmission, how would you like a used engine or trans with equal miles on it to the one you had? That's not going to happen but legally it could be the minimum requirement.
Thermostat and water pump should be replaced too - AFTER they thoroughly cleanse the cooling system with a detergent flush and plain water rinse (to get the detergent all out). The oil will attack the rubber portions of the thermostat and water pump over time that are not designed to be in an oil-bathed environment.
If they balk, point out that this is what Saturn did for you when you had a cracked cylinder head (OK, it was me, not you). They did all that voluntarily because it was what was right. Is Honda going to do less?
If they balk, point out that this is what Saturn did for you when you had a cracked cylinder head (OK, it was me, not you). They did all that voluntarily because it was what was right. Is Honda going to do less?
Mine was not so severe as a cracked cylinder head. Had an oil leak issue with my 2014 at less than 12,000km with the head gasket not being installed correctly from the factory which led to issues to the cylinder head and gasket being replaced under warranty. I complained to Honda Canada directly and they contacted the dealership to verify and provided the van with the Honda extended warranty for an additional 2 years. I ended up trading the van back to the dealership for a 2015 since other issues occurred when they did the repair due to an error by the mechanic that required the engine block and a new cylinder having to be installed. Basically a new engine on the 2014. Dealership was really good about trying to accommodate me to get into a new 2015 and taking my 2014 on a trade-in without hosing me on the value. Basically I just paid to use it for 8 months before getting a new 2015 model. So far so good on the new one.
Guess I would reach out to Honda directly to see what they can do about extending the warranty on your van since it is basically still new.
Guess I would reach out to Honda directly to see what they can do about extending the warranty on your van since it is basically still new.
I hear you on the warranty but I purchased the extended Honda Care when I got the van. Found out there was some other damage to the other cylinder head so now they are looking to replace both. They haven't flushed the block yet so don't know if a engine replacement is needed. Service manager wants to change motor but Honda looking to replace the heads, radiator, and all rubber hoses and some seals too.
thought about just trading it in now with the dealer but thinking to just give the van a go. It's all still under warranty so why trade in for a "financial bath" now. I don't know, as long as it's reliable when all is done is what I want/need.
thought about just trading it in now with the dealer but thinking to just give the van a go. It's all still under warranty so why trade in for a "financial bath" now. I don't know, as long as it's reliable when all is done is what I want/need.
The other head probably warped from overheating. It doesn't take much with an aluminum engine. I can see why the dealer was pushing for an engine replacement.
IMHO it's too soon to think about trading the van because of this, unfortunate as it is. Get it back on the road, drive it for a few months. If no problems surface, it's likely good for the long haul. Also you do have Honda Care as added insurance.
Dave
IMHO it's too soon to think about trading the van because of this, unfortunate as it is. Get it back on the road, drive it for a few months. If no problems surface, it's likely good for the long haul. Also you do have Honda Care as added insurance.
Dave
Said the block flushed clean and they took measurements to make sure it was fine so no engine replacement, but something was not right on other cylinder head so they will replace both.
Also going to replace both heater cores and all the hoses for those too. Gave me a rental as it's going to be another week or two. Will be a month down, just hoping we won't have in car rattles as I changed a heater core on my 93 mustang and that was no small job pulling the dash out, and here they have to do this plus all they way down the car for the rear one too.
Forgot what a pita it is to haul 3 kids, their stuff, and the wife in something that is not a van, lol
Also going to replace both heater cores and all the hoses for those too. Gave me a rental as it's going to be another week or two. Will be a month down, just hoping we won't have in car rattles as I changed a heater core on my 93 mustang and that was no small job pulling the dash out, and here they have to do this plus all they way down the car for the rear one too.
Forgot what a pita it is to haul 3 kids, their stuff, and the wife in something that is not a van, lol
Quick follow up.
yesterday got a surprise call the car was done and ready for pickup earlier than expected. Took it on a few small runs and it all seems fine for the most part. One startup the engine shook and another time the car shifted really rough out of park but so far these things only happened once.
So so glad to have a van back that can haul a ton of junk and people all at the same time
yesterday got a surprise call the car was done and ready for pickup earlier than expected. Took it on a few small runs and it all seems fine for the most part. One startup the engine shook and another time the car shifted really rough out of park but so far these things only happened once.
So so glad to have a van back that can haul a ton of junk and people all at the same time
Hello,
Needing some thoughts on mostly the same issue. I thank you for your time and replies.
We have a 2014 EXL with 62,924 miles, that was taken to the purchasing dealership for routine fluid changes (oil/transmission/power steering/brake) on 2/16/19. This dealership has done all the maintenance on it and on time We have always been pleased with their work.
On 2/18/19 an oil drip spot was noticed on our driveway, that afternoon the vehicle was taken back to the dealership to stop the leak. The service advisor told me that the technician had just been messy with their work and that there was some spilled oil on a cross member and that they cleaned it up. Everything was fine.
On 2/21/19 my wife delivered our third child, so I admit that I was not as on top of this as I now see I should have...
On 2/25/19 evening, I noticed “oil” on the driveway again and contacted the dealership to bring it in again.
On 2/26/19 morning, while preparing to drive it to the dealership (about 25 miles away), I noticed green colored coolant and oil mixture now on the driveway. Confirmed mixture was present on the oil dipstick, in the radiator, and in the oil crankcase. On 2/27/19, dealership sent a tow truck to bring it to their shop. Total miles driven since fluid changes was 350. No high temperature was observed nor any check engine light appeared.
On 2/28/19, I meet with the Service Director/Service Manager/Service Technician. They felt that since when the engine turned over the oil/coolant mixture came out of the radiator, that it was an failed head gasket. Since I was outside of the Power Train warranty period, but only slightly, they were going to petition Honda Corp for at least partial coverage (unknown % split). To fully determine problem they needed to open the engine up at a cost of $913.88. Based on expectations that Honda Corp will assist some and the level of expertise needed, permission was granted to begin work.
Late 3/1/19 the dealership called to inform me that they found a cracked rear head; more investigation and information to come Monday after the weekend.
So, before I face a several thousand $ bill uninformed, I wanted to reach out to you, who may have some better insight than I currently do on my situation.
Could the dealership have caused this?
Is this just another failed head casting?
What needs to be replaced or just replace the whole motor, or bail on the vehicle and get another?
What might Honda Corp do?
What should the dealership do?
What should I do?
Again, thank you for your time and thoughts/experiences.
Dave
Needing some thoughts on mostly the same issue. I thank you for your time and replies.
We have a 2014 EXL with 62,924 miles, that was taken to the purchasing dealership for routine fluid changes (oil/transmission/power steering/brake) on 2/16/19. This dealership has done all the maintenance on it and on time We have always been pleased with their work.
On 2/18/19 an oil drip spot was noticed on our driveway, that afternoon the vehicle was taken back to the dealership to stop the leak. The service advisor told me that the technician had just been messy with their work and that there was some spilled oil on a cross member and that they cleaned it up. Everything was fine.
On 2/21/19 my wife delivered our third child, so I admit that I was not as on top of this as I now see I should have...
On 2/25/19 evening, I noticed “oil” on the driveway again and contacted the dealership to bring it in again.
On 2/26/19 morning, while preparing to drive it to the dealership (about 25 miles away), I noticed green colored coolant and oil mixture now on the driveway. Confirmed mixture was present on the oil dipstick, in the radiator, and in the oil crankcase. On 2/27/19, dealership sent a tow truck to bring it to their shop. Total miles driven since fluid changes was 350. No high temperature was observed nor any check engine light appeared.
On 2/28/19, I meet with the Service Director/Service Manager/Service Technician. They felt that since when the engine turned over the oil/coolant mixture came out of the radiator, that it was an failed head gasket. Since I was outside of the Power Train warranty period, but only slightly, they were going to petition Honda Corp for at least partial coverage (unknown % split). To fully determine problem they needed to open the engine up at a cost of $913.88. Based on expectations that Honda Corp will assist some and the level of expertise needed, permission was granted to begin work.
Late 3/1/19 the dealership called to inform me that they found a cracked rear head; more investigation and information to come Monday after the weekend.
So, before I face a several thousand $ bill uninformed, I wanted to reach out to you, who may have some better insight than I currently do on my situation.
Could the dealership have caused this?
Is this just another failed head casting?
What needs to be replaced or just replace the whole motor, or bail on the vehicle and get another?
What might Honda Corp do?
What should the dealership do?
What should I do?
Again, thank you for your time and thoughts/experiences.
Dave
None of the fluid servicing should have had anything to do with the rear head failing. But that's not to say they did not break it. I'd be highly suspicious based on the timing.
One thing you may be able to argue for and get is that based on the timing and errors (at the very least, they misdiagnosed the first leak you discovered, and maybe screwed things up from the very beginning) the dealer would take the full risk on the $900 teardown inspection, including putting it all back together if you choose. You don't want to get in a situation where they've torn your engine apart, give you a $900 bill, and then at that point you start asking for kindness from Honda. And who knows, maybe that's their business model.
EDIT - rereading now, I see you're already at this point. Oh well.
The one thing about the story that sounds not right (and my 2011 LX is the closest I've got to one like yours, so this is just a thought / question): should you have green coolant in there? I thought it was supposed to be blue. I know my 2011 takes the ~100k mile blue stuff, and when I drained mine recently while doing the timing belt service, it was definitely blue stuff that came out (at 105k miles). BTW, I replaced with green, but that's a different story.
Sorry to hear about the trouble. Congrats on the baby. And good luck.
One thing you may be able to argue for and get is that based on the timing and errors (at the very least, they misdiagnosed the first leak you discovered, and maybe screwed things up from the very beginning) the dealer would take the full risk on the $900 teardown inspection, including putting it all back together if you choose. You don't want to get in a situation where they've torn your engine apart, give you a $900 bill, and then at that point you start asking for kindness from Honda. And who knows, maybe that's their business model.
EDIT - rereading now, I see you're already at this point. Oh well.
The one thing about the story that sounds not right (and my 2011 LX is the closest I've got to one like yours, so this is just a thought / question): should you have green coolant in there? I thought it was supposed to be blue. I know my 2011 takes the ~100k mile blue stuff, and when I drained mine recently while doing the timing belt service, it was definitely blue stuff that came out (at 105k miles). BTW, I replaced with green, but that's a different story.
Sorry to hear about the trouble. Congrats on the baby. And good luck.
Sounds like really unfortunate coincidence on the timing to me. Maybe there is something I'm not thinking of, but I can't imagine anyway possible for the dealer to cause a cracked head or blown head gasket performing the services you listed. In my experience the most likely scenario with Honda helping is to cover 50% of the repair including the tear down. Then hopefully the dealer feels generous enough to discount the parts and labor some as well so your 50% is less than the "retail" repair cost. In any case I would ask the dealer for a firm quote on the head replacement cost so you know what your worst case is.
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