2003 Honda engine replacement

[urrlord]

As the title suggests .........We have a 2003 Honda Accord (180k)4cyl 5 speed.We loaned it to son in law to drive while waiting on an insurance settlement after being hit by a drunk.While driving it the car lost power and he did a tune up to no effect and the car was diagnosed with a burnt valve.Upon resesarching a new head was $500 approximately , an engine with 62k from JDM in Fla was $700 .The car has no rust,good ac and good interior ,tires and weak paint.So we decided to go with the engine replacement.

The engine was a japanese market setup so it took a little more labor during the swap.The engine looked great cosmetically.While the swap was being done the clutch was done ,rear brakes were updated,water pump was done and of course new coolant and an oil change with either Cam2 or Duramax Synthetic oil.$1500 for the job.

I'm impressed with this engine.More power than the old one,I can accelerate fairly well from 30 mph in 5th gear.The old engine required a downshift to 4th at those speeds.A little too much gas and the car will break the front tires lose easily.MPG seems to up ,yet to check that as the wife is driving it to work(8 miles one way) so it takes a while to go through a tank.It seems to be taking longer now.

So for a little over 2 grand we have a newish car with 62k.At the rate that we drive we may drop dead before the car does.

ps When should I change the oil on this engine?

 

[partspro]

Some would say change it early but i see no need. Since the motor was not taken apart, should be good. Congrats on a good find.

 

[Hall]

and an oil change with either Cam2 or Duramax Synthetic oil. When should I change the oil on this engine?

Minimum 5000 miles, don't hesitate to go 7000-7500 miles.

 

[levi]

Money well spent, IMO.

 

[Duffyjr]

Money well spent, IMO.

Absolutely, the way used car prices are! My wife's Caddy just turned 220k, hoping it will last a couple more years until things straighten out if they ever do!

$1500 for all of that, did you do the work yourself, it not that's not bad at all.

 

[Oliveoil2]

I’d do a short oci and then follow Honda recommendation.

 

[urrlord]

Absolutely, the way used car prices are! My wife's Caddy just turned 220k, hoping it will last a couple more years until things straighten out if they ever do!

$1500 for all of that, did you do the work yourself, it not that's not bad at all.

the work was done by a local independant shop that I have a good relationship with.Whatever I need to get worked on I usually drop it off with them and I DO NOT Rush them.The rare instances where I need something in a hurry he can usually squeeze me in.The owners wife makes good money at her job and as he puts it "I have to make a living but I don't have to make it off one person" He has more work than he and his two asst mechanics can do from repeats and referrals.

 

[Chris142]

Years ago those engine were very popular. Back then they were sludge bombs due to never having the oil changed.

 

[UncleDave]

the work was done by a local independant shop that I have a good relationship with.Whatever I need to get worked on I usually drop it off with them and I DO NOT Rush them.The rare instances where I need something in a hurry he can usually squeeze me in.The owners wife makes good money at her job and as he puts it "I have to make a living but I don't have to make it off one person" He has more work than he and his two asst mechanics can do from repeats and referrals.

Too bad they didn't get to adjust the valve lash before it burned.

 

[vw7674]

Too bad they didn't get to adjust the valve lash before it burned.

those Hondas usually need a 17.5k check up on clearances. Even then there's not much out of line. People must just drive them & forget it's not hydraulic lifter type.

 

[UncleDave]

those Hondas usually need a 17.5k check up on clearances. Even then there's not much out of line. People must just drive them & forget it's not hydraulic lifter type.

I see it all the time in Hondas, most ignore it.

 

[urrlord]

The son in law drove the car for over a year and used a different shop for work so I cannot put any blame on my guy.
And I'm not a Honda guy so I did not know these had solid lifters so that is my fault .....but I do keep up with regular oil changes and do preventative maintenance.