gsr_integra99 wrote:
>
> 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
a bad head gasket will give you the same readings on the pressure as a
bad valve will