"gsr_integra99" <gsr_integra99@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:93kqb.45231$un.19760@bignews6.bellsouth.net.. .
> 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

For starters the tech should be doing a pressurized leak down test and not a
compression test to check for cylinder leakage as compression tests dont
tend to tell you near enough. This will give you an amount of leakage such a
20%. It will also tell where the applied air is leaking out such as an
intake, exhaust or ring issue.

If you had a burnt valve I would expect your check engine light to be on
indicating a miss-fire condition (also telling you which cylinder). A scan
tool in the hands of a qualified tech will tell a lot more about what's
wrong with it when the problem occurs. In your case they just threw a
distributor at it..rookie move.

The dealer will require you to authorize tear-down of the engine due to the
fact that Honda/Acura Care will not agree to cover any repair until they
have the opportunity for an adjuster to come out and look at it
disassembled. If the shop is wrong about the valve or expresses their
opinion about over-revving...you will be out of luck.

My recommendation is to get a second opinion from a qualified Acura/Honda
tech as you likely will find that you have an ignition or fuel injection
issue.

PS. they might be right about the valve though..you never know. But that is
a big chunk of change.....