I made notes of everything you previously suggested checking/doing. We decided to go with a used identical displacement Honda Accord engine with 78K miles. We are getting this engine through our locall Honda dealer and unfortunately all they can tell me is it is coming out of a salvage yard called LKG in GA. I did an internet search and see that LKGs are all over. It will cost us around $4,000 out the door, but that is including all the tear down cost of our original engine plus the cylinder head testing. I admit I am somewhat leery of doing this since it is most likely coming out of a wrecked Accord. If the car was hit in the front end, especially, who knows what internal damage could have occurred inside the engine that may not show up for a long time. Also, I know nothing about the service history on the engine. There will be some sorting out of the engine before the car is ever released to us and I have been assured that if the engine has any funny sound, noises or other issues, we will not be required to take it. Once the car is released to us, the engine will have a 12 month/12,000K mile parts and labor guarantee. Since that is average annual driving miles for my wife, I am hoping anything major that could go wrong with the engine will manifest itself during that period.
I weighed all the options and with our Accord running having a KBB of $8,400.00 to $9,000.00, it made no sense to spend 8K putting in a new short block and cylinder head. Then of course the car was only worth pittance not running. Just an unfortunate occurrence all the way around. Since my wife loves the car and wants to keep it forever I have no problem with Car Fax or other reporting companies showing the engine was changed.
So now I know that basically we are getting a used short block and they will use our cylinder head, etc. As I said I made notes about everything you previously suggested doing or checking, but wondered if I should request anything be done such as replacing cylinder head bolts and changing transmission fluid. I have never had to do anything like this before and feel quite lost and inadequate in knowing what should be done.

 

I find it strange as to why they are using your cyl head?

Most of the time when you pull and engine from a bone yard you get the whole thing - Long Block.

If you have not changed the trans fluid before....then yes it should be done. Check your service records....I think this is part of the 60K service?

 

Yeah I do too and am seriously going to question that. It seems to me putting a 90K mile cylinder head on a 78K mile engine which would necessitate new head bolts just seems like it would be opening up a myriad of potential issues. I will gladly pay the $100.00 core fee (no core really due to the cracked block) and keep our original cylinder head should we ever need one. I have always changed the automatic transmission fluid in half the recommended mileage interval due to their potential for failure, but thanks for reminding me.

 

I also find it odd the dealer is reusing your head yet charging you for a whole motor. Also the vin of the donor car should be on that motor to do research on. I know mine has a vin plate on the firewall side of the motor.

 

A look at car-part.com will show similar mileage engines for < $1K. You might want to get some additional quotes on replacement. I would 2nd to get a whole engine and not a short block. This increases labor content and reduces reliability, IMO.

good luck

 

Yes, thank you for pointing that out. I have seen what you are talking about and have some very specific questions written out for my Honda Service Manager to provide me some details on before proceeding with this.