3rd Cylinder misfire - expensive repair advice

[Commander2874]

Hi PH

I own a civic type r (Fn2 2007) and noticed the eml flashing which also triggered the VSA light.

The eml went off after 3 days and has stayed off but i got it checked out when i had the car serviced and been told (not doubting the garage tgm sport) that it's not the sparks, coilpack or valve clearances and that the valve is damaged and pressure shows 78 when it should read 180.
Basically it's an engine out job and I'm looking at roughly £1200.

Was told i can't cause anymore damage so don't need it repaired asap. Woukd like some advice if driving the car with 3 cylinders could damage the other 3? I don't drive it hard and only do 500 miles a month.
Has anyone else had a similar problem?

Thanks in advance.

[Commander2874]

Thank you. Surprisingly enough i had the mot done same time and it passed the emissions test. Reason for engine out job is due to the location and how close fitted it is making a job in situ extremely difficult and more time consuming.
I'm planning to get it fixed early next year so woukd you advise sooner?

[Commander2874]

Thanks everyone. I thought he said the valve but will call him again and write it down, needless to say i was in shock so didn't make a note of what was said. I'll call the garage tomorrow and update

Yes the light has not come back on and emmisions was a pass. I plan to keep this car for many years so will be getting the problem fixed but haven't got the funds to do it right away and concerned about further damage if i carry on driving

[Commander2874]

In regards to other symptoms, i have noticed the occasional vibrations within the cabin and slight loss of power in the lower gear range.

[Commander2874]

Thanks guys

Def don't doubt tgm as used them for 2 years now and been good as. I'll get more info and update. Will also get quotes from other garages but doubt it will be much cheaper!

[Commander2874]

WaferThinHam said:

Does it sound or feel like it's misfiring? If you have low compression on cylinder 3 I'd expect you to feel something (and it to be down on power).

Sorry but what would i be hearing for a misfire? In terms of sound car starts fine and not noticed any difference in noise but noticed a slight loss in power but then again that could be me looking into it now that it's been mentioned.

[Commander2874]

bearman68 said:

As them to put a new coil and plug in first - it's 40 quid, and well worth a try. Even I have been known to make a mistake, and I have a brain the size of a planet, and know nearly everything. ()

They def tested the sparks and was misfiring

[Commander2874]

M_A_S said:

If you've got a compression of 78 on one cylinder I very much doubt it would pass an MOT, the HC will be way too high.

A very lenient mot tester no doubt! Will be sorted by the time it comes for it's next one.

[Commander2874]

bearman68 said:

OP is casrefully ignoring everything said to him.


1) Garage says you can't damage it by driving it - internet says you can.
2) Garage says head can't be removed without taking the engine out - Internet says you can.
3) Garage says they've tested sparks - internet says worth changing anyway.

<shrug> Not my car, so why should I care?, but if you're asking for advice seems sensible to at least consider it.

Appreciate all the responses and pardon me for my lack of knowledge on the matter. Being is shock lead me to not properly listening to what was being said! Anyway i called again and Spoke with Tom at tgm today and he said that the issue could be a damaged valve and there is a compression leak within the valve but can't tell for sure unless the engine is taken apart. Spoke with Grinspeed too who confirmed the same and said it's easier to determine with the engine out. Grinspeed also mentioned that worst case scenario would be a damaged piston which would mean a new engine! ...ouch

[Commander2874]

Would there be any other symptoms if it was a damaged piston? Car has done 35k miles and drives fine but slight loss on power and slight shake in the cabin when idle now and again.

[Commander2874]

GreenV8S said:

A leaky or sticking valve or damaged piston or bore could be identified using a leakdown test and potentially confirmed using a borescope.

Thank you mate. .interesting. I'll ask if they could do that as i dont want to be told it's a new engone job after paying £750 labour

[Commander2874]

Thanks for your help guys and yes i still don't fully understand it myself! I assume the compression test was done showing a leak an and compression being down to half in the 3rd cylinder but full diagnosis would require a further investigation hence checking the engine.
I will further update when i get the job done or should i get another opinion from my local Honda garage? Saying that, it will end up costing me a lot more!

So advise taken and i will not drive my car until this problem is fixed

[Commander2874]

Justin S said:

Sounds like a bit of info has been lost in translation as the Op says he's not 100% of the car lingo.
Head can come off without removal and piston can also be changed with sump off and block still in the car. Mileage is low and the K is a tough engine to throw a component so early. Not saying it doesn't happen, but plenty of big HP versions around, so as standard can take abuse.
I wouldn't drive it anymore , in case of a piston issue and damaging bores, then you are stuffed. A borescope would give a better vision on whats happening before you start stripping out.
I would see a Honda specialist (not main dealer !) close to you to sort this out , just because of odd answers from the places who have looked at the car . Worse case is a replacement used engine and the K series is a lot cheaper and easier to source than an F20 !!

Thank you mate. Been enquiring whether to just part exchange and get another car as this has made me lose confidence in my fn2. Downside is I be spending a few k more getting another car so either way in out of pocket!

[Commander2874]

Car has been booked into a specialist garage for next month so will update with full diagnosis and costs.

[Commander2874]

Update time!

The problem was a bent valve which has now been replaced and head skimmed at the machine shop. Car was given new oil and valve clearances done again. Driving like new and cabin vibrations are gone. I feel i inherited this problem when i bought the car which gradually got worse as time wore on.

Glad it is all sorted!

[Commander2874]

Sardonicus said:

Thanks for the update more likely a burnt ex valve they are prone to this

You're welcome, i was shown the valve and the mechanic spun it on a electric drill and could see slight warping when spinning. Cost me £960 in total inc a new battery.

[Commander2874]

stevieturbo said:

All things considered a good result, and sounds like a decent and honest garage too.

Certainly a far cry from the utter morons who said it needed a complete new engine or whatever.

Maybe a little pricey for one valve ? Or did they replace them all ?

Although such a job is quite labour intensive

Hi mate

Yes tgm sport in fleet are superb and came highly recommended. 2 valves were replaced and more or less a new service carried out inc oil, spark plugs and valve clearances.

Been going there 2 years now and Tom has always been spot on. Knows hondas inside out.

Labour came to £700 so yes was a labour intensive job.

Edited by Commander2874 on Wednesday 21st November 19:41

[Commander2874]

stevieturbo said:

The above could be taken out of context re-cash, and perhaps not something you want to mention online.

All noted and amended. Cheers

[Commander2874]

So glad i got this fixed and unfortunately i inherited this problem when i bought my car as i never got over 300 miles (motorway driving under 70mph) from a tank and now on my first tank since the fix i nearly got 335! This included over 60 miles of v tec b road driving!
Car def feels quicker and more responsive too.

[Commander2874]

Justin S said:

Glad it went ok in the end. Nice to have a final analysis too. Not a massive amount of money compared to what some places charge for servicing and repairs as I find out and go somewhere else though.

Thanks Justin, it's annoying when someone asks for advice and then fsils to update haha! Thought this would be a good reference point if anyone experienced a similar issue.