Hello,

I bought a 02 Honda Accord 2.0i SE VTEC a couple of months ago, and was very pleased with it, until one day when my girlfriend told me she could hear strange noises when I was accelerating in low gear (coming from the engine).. I said I couldn't notice it, as I am partially deaf, but then 2 weeks ago I took it for a service and asked if they (honda specialists) would investigate it.

Much to my dissapointment [&:]I was told that it was probably big end/little end problems (most probably) and bearings loose (?) around the crankshaft/area of the engine. I asked what i could do and I was told that it was a serious problem, but it might be possible to drive the vehicle for another 20,000/30,000 mils before the problems worsen and the engine breaks down.

My issue is now whether to replace the engine now, or wait until it goes. I have a friend that has offered to fita new (second hand)engine for me, and he is skilled enough to do this. I have also been told that it would probably be best to fit a new engine as soon as possible?

What do people feel about this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as I feel it would be daft to fit a new engine now, when the current engine might last for another year/2 years...who knows? It drives fine now, and just sounds a little 'putt putt putt' when I rev in low gear. I have also been told there is a slight misfire, and that the actualengine is moving slightly when is is revved (only very slightly) and that it should sit totally still in idle and when revs are applied.

I suppose my worry is if I am driving at speed on the motorway and it should suddenly break down. What is the worse case scenario? Will it suddenly stop if the 'big end/little end' goes? Will the engine 'blow up' and bits/parts fly all over the place???!!! [&:]Would I get a warning if it is about to go??

Honest advice only please!! I am prepared for the worst!! Thanks, Pete

 

You wont get a warning, when it goes, it'll go. The engine will just stop running and so will your car. You're better off fixiing/replacing it now than waiting for something to catastraphically wrong.