I have a 1999 Integra GSR which recently started having problems when
pushing the accelerator. It was happening in gear or in neutral. As long
as acceleration was gradual, no problem, but pushing the gas too fast
made the engine falter, as if not receiving enough gas or cylinders
misfiring. I did what I could at home, inspected spark plugs, wires,
distributor cap and rotor. Nothing unusual, so I drove it to Acura
service.

After a few days, they tell me they needed to change the distributor.
They said they turned the car on again and still noticed a problem. So
they do at least two more tests: check the compression on the cylinders
and a leak down test.

3 cylinders are ok (230 psi), number 2 only reads 190psi. 40 psi less
than normal. Their conclusion with these two tests is that I have a bent
valve.

I purchased the car with an extended acura warranty to 62,000 miles. I
bought it at 19,000 and it currently has 51,000. It also has a 100,000
mile powertrain warranty. But all these are useless because they told me
a bent valve is not covered by the warranty.

Final estimate to have bent valve repaired/replaced: $1200.

I have been on the phone with Acura Care (the warranty dept) various
times, but it is leading nowhere. The dealer refuses to open the engine
since he says he won't get paid. They told me I must have over-reved the
engine (for example dropping from 5th to 2nd) for a valve to get bent.
That hasn't happened. I love my car. I don't drive it that way. I put
10,000 miles a year on it. I try to take very good care of her. She even
has a name.

So, where do I go from here. I don't want spend $1200 on the assumption
that I have a bent valve without further inspection, which unfortunately
Acura is not willing to perform under warranty. I am taking it to a
mechanic/friend to repeat the tests Acura says they did and try to gather
more information (free of charge since it is a friend, it can't hurt).

From what I've read in the newsgroup, valves go in numbers and usually
due to some catastrophic event (i.e. timing belt breaking)... none of
which have occured in my car.

Is the Acura mechanic doing everything he can? Are those two tests enough
for him to determine I have a bent valve? Can I lose compression in a
cylinder due to other reasons (bad/dirty seals? injectors? etc)

Finally, if after getting a second opinion, or even a third evaluation, I
do have a bent valve no covered by warranty... do I go with Acura at
$1200? or is it something any decent mechanic (my friend) can handle?
(which he would do at very little cost to me) If it's not something that
can be tackled by anyone (i.e. I need a valve specialist?), can I at
least save on labor by having the engine disassembly done by my friend
and possibly save the valve 'job' for someone who specializes in that?

I was really looking forward to another 250,000 miles out of this car,
but I barely made it over 50,000. Any suggestions are welcome...

99 GSR