Nice job. All things considered on parts and labor, that isn't a bad price. Definitely worth it. I will add that you must have a great dealership, I would venture to say that would have cost a lot more at other dealerships.
Our 261K mile old Honda Element had its first serious failure
- Thread starter slo town
- Start date
Very nice indeed. New doesn’t always mean it would be better. I would like Honda to bring back the Element, less than a zero chance.
The real mystery is how the darn bolt broke?
The real mystery is how the darn bolt broke?
K24 engines are very reliable. Because of that, uses ones are low cost because there's low demand.
I'm wondering if you could have found a low mileage used one and had that put in.
I'm wondering if you could have found a low mileage used one and had that put in.
My DIL's '99 CRV burned an exhaust valve. Being as she was putting #1 son through law school at the time. I loaned them my car and proceeded to R+R the head and to replace the bad valves in #4 cyl only. It was a PITA, noob experience, I should have left the manifolds on. Once I had it apart, I was impressed by the DOHC/ 4valve innards.
Wow, I think that's a pretty good price considering everything that was done. Very wise to get everything else done while they were in there. Certainly cheaper than a new car.
I didn't read thru every thread if it's been asked but at 261k did you not consider a remanufactured long block? At $5500 your probably only talking $1000-2000 difference if that as head removal, machining and assembling is quite expensive these days (most shops won't even do it unless they work with a trusted machine shop). My concern with investing that much money is still having 261k mile rings and main bearings. That being said I do realize it's a Honda block.
The job is done now but don't they sell JDM low milage engines for ~1k, that + install at an indy would likely have been half the price.
slo town
$200 Site Donor 2026
I'm not throwing stones at your guys, but putting a used or rebuilt engine in would be a step down.
Although high mileage, our Element has been meticulously maintained and never abused. It's lived its entire life in a mild California climate, devoid of bone chilling, sub zero cold starts.
Prior to the repair (at 261K) it used less than 1/4 quart per 5K mile OCI. Between the Valvoline Restore and Protect (which I started at 250K, just for grins because of all the hype) and the replacement valve stems seals during the head gasket repair it now loses ZERO oil per 5K OCI. In fact I just checked the oil yesterday. 3,800 miles on the oil. The oil level had not dropped AT ALL since I changed it - and I mean that literally. Zero. Nada. Zilch.
I suspect the rod and main bearings look and measure virtually brand new, plus the internals are spotlessly clean.
When you consider the last Element rolled off the assembly line 15 years ago it's amazing how many I still see on the road on a daily basis - and 99% of them are in very good condition. There is a reason why people love their Elements. They are as reliable and trustworthy as your favorite dog.
Scott
Was the head bolt broken, or broke on removal? It looks like it could have had some threads still holding in the block after the break.
Ur knots
I was curious as well on how a bolt can be broken mid way in the thread that should have been screwed in.
slo town
$200 Site Donor 2026
We'll never know for sure but the broken bolt was in the area of the oil leak. When they sent the picture I nearly croaked thinking it was frozen in the block. I was glad they were able to get it out.
Scott
It's been about a year now
Still flawless?
slo town
$200 Site Donor 2026
Still flawless, both mechanically and visually. 274K on it now, 13K after the head gasket repair.
Scott
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/16-year-old-273-000-miles-honda-paint.405229/
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$5500 would've been a big sigh but I would've done it, too. Better deal than a used one because you've owned it for so long and probably know it's other issues and how you've treated it (which sounds like you've treated it well).
For the rest of us, I wish you'd have swapped an LS motor or turbo'd V6 into it and then posted videos of the drag strip times
For the rest of us, I wish you'd have swapped an LS motor or turbo'd V6 into it and then posted videos of the drag strip times
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