So today we learned the hard way about the cylinder 3 plug ejection problem with our 2011 Sport.

The shop regards it as unfixable and is quoting a bit over $4,000 for putting in a used engine with ~90k miles on it. (You can be we'll be having the plugs replaced and torqued if we go that route).

But - is it worth it? We are second owners, the first being the fabled sweet older woman who faithfully took it to her mechanic whenever the service notices came up and sold it only when it became difficult to climb up out to the low driver seat. Being a Sport in ustate NY with those low trim panels under the doors, there is some rust beneath those panels we have yet to address. Aside from that, it is in good shape.

So what it the collective wisdom & experience of the Forum? For questions like the success of engine swaps, relative value of investing more in this (with a loan balance still being paid off) vs. in another newer Fit, etc..

Thanks!

 

What would your shop charge you to remove the existing damaged head and replace it with a wrecking yard head?

It would be more cost effective if you found the head yourself, then took it to an automotive machine shop to have it checked out and then delivered it to them for installation.

 

I’d call another shop, it maybe possible to install a helicoil or as previous poster said source a head, if they are super conservative clean it, fresh valve stem seals and make sure the head is true or just deck it a touch.. 4k is ridiculous

 

bummer. unfortunately, my point of view is, if a shop isn't comfortable trying something, then it's not a good idea to insist they do it.

i would try and find out from them the reason why it can't be helicoiled. is it because it's been done once already (in which case i agree)? or just a vague "bla bla not something we recommend doing ever". in which case calling shops and seeing if they are willing to do it would be good, before having it towed there (well, i guess sometimes they are borderline driveable, but not far).

what a helicoil is is: kind of like an insert that is screwed carefully into a damaged plug hole. it then provides a new thread channel for a plug to sit in. the size will be very slightly different, and so one plug will need to be a different size than the others, which doesn't affect performance. for obvious reasons doing a helicoil is not ideal, but supposedly they last a long time once done.

i don't think replacing an engine is worth it or necessary in most cases of plug ejection. I'm assuming everything was working well on the drivetrain otherwise. speaking generally, aside from the plugs not too much tends to fail on these motors, tho they can get clogged egr valves and the cylinder in/exhaust valves need adjustment to run the best.

sorta depends how much you like the car. i feel like personally .. even if i were going to sell if after this .. it's worth doing a helicoil. car is worth a bunch if it runs, much less if it doesn't.

 

Ask your mechanic if they can do what this guy did.