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225 Honda short block assembly

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fishfinder7

New member
I was told my crank shaft end play is out of tolerance or the engine has excessive thrust bearing play and I need a new short block assembly. :mad:Can anyone tell me the best way to go about handling this problem. The engine is a 2002 with approx. 475 hours. According to the mechanics this usually does not happen but if it does it happens with low hours on it. What would be a approx. realistic cost to repair it? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
A short block runs about $2800 plus miscellaneous gaskets and seals.

It will probably take at least 13.5 hours minimum (times the hourly labor rate) to do the work under perfect conditions, and assuming everything comes apart correctly and the tech has done this several times before. Most of us have not.

This does not include oil, filter, spark plugs (which may come in the short block..not sure), new water pump impeller (which you should change while it is apart) and any required breakin time (since it will be internally a new motor).

This is a big job.

Mike
 
Thank you Mike for the reply back. After further investigation I dont think it would be a wise desicion to spend probably $5,000 to fix it and the price of the used engine if it was in running condition, is maybe $6,000 or $7,000. I may sell the engine for whatever it is worth as is. You have any idea what this may be worth to sell it for.
 
You might check ebay or craigslist to see what people are getting and how they are selling the parts. I would think that individual parts, alternator, gear case, ECM, wiring harness, head, etc may
be easier to sell. Shipping is certainly easier. You might be able to make a deal though on the whole thing.

Others may have some other thoughts. I generally use the rule of thumb of 1/2 new price for used parts when I sell or use them for a job.

Mike
 
Mike,
I appreciate your feedback. I have to ask you a couple of questions again if I may regarding my BF225A engine. Does it seem normal for the engine to idle with no problems, it does not make any strange noise when it is running at slow speed, and it goes into guardian mode only when the motor is running over 2000 rpms. I had a computer scan done and it showed the oil pressure alarm was triggered 5 times which I know it was more, this info is incorrect. Have any of these motors had a problem with crank shaft end play maybe a recall or bulletin? Could this be a legitimate diagnosis? Thank you again for the feedback. Anyone else who cares to respond to this issue I'm open for your imput.
Thanks fishfinder7
 
There are no Service Bulletins or recalls that cover that kind of problem.

It sounds like you are losing oil pressure. Is it leaking oil into the flywheel cavity? Is it safe to assume, that when you go into guardian mode, that the green oil light goes out?

They must have pulled your powerhead to be able to check the crankshaft end play. I presume when they removed the lower section of the engine, that they checked the oil pickup screen to assure it was not blocked with debris. I have run into this when the paper covers of quarts of oil came off when a customer was changing their oil. It all ended up clogging the screen in the oil pickup. It would be ok at low speeds, but when oil pressure was expected to increase, it did not.

I have not heard of this issue...keep in mind, I do not service a lot of 225's and have had very few problems with any of them that I do.

Checking your serial number...there is only three times recorded where there was warranty work done. This engine was built the first year that they were introduced. There were several Service Bulletins for various issues. These were probably performed, but may not have been posted to your engine's current record.

If you question the diagnosis, you could take it to another dealer for a second opinion or call Honda Customer Services. They may be able to check into how reasonable it is. I have no way to tell. Customer Service number is 770-497-6400. They act as an Ombudsman to check into your concerns.

I wish I could be of more help.

Perhaps someone else on the Forum have run into this trouble.

Mike
 
Mike you are correct about the lights. No lights go on when the guardian mode starts. A constant alarm sounds and it backs down. They used a large screwdriver or crowbar to lift up the crankshaft and determined there was to much end play. they did not remove anything to determine this. They said its probably the bottom thrust bearing, which shot out and is in the bottom of the motor. I had two dealers determine this problem. Another said it was the sensor board.
 
I am not sure what a sensor board is...a sensors communicate to the ECU, then the ECU determines what is going to happen.

I do seem to remember, our Honda rep asking me to do this "lift up the crankshaft" test when I had the one with the oil pressure problem. Sorry, I totally forgot about it until you described the test. The one I did was fine, so I never had to pursue any next steps.

I would not expect that Honda would do anything for you since it is several years out of warranty. I am sure if it were still under warranty, the repair would have been covered.

I still recommend calling Customer Services to explore their thoughts. They may be able to put you in touch directly with one of the Techs at Honda to give you a better explanation. It may not change anything, but at least it may provide a better understanding as to what happened.

You may also want to ask them which dealer (if they know) has had the most experience at dealing with this problem. Again more information for you to decide what to do and whom to have do it.

Mike
 
Mike,
Do you know the exact specs. for the crank shaft end play for my engine? I appreciate all your help and insight regarding my engine problem. Thank you.
 
Crankshaft Axial Clearance....Standard .10 - .35mm Service Limit .45mm

Runout...Standard .020 mm max Service Limit .030mm

Hope this helps.

About all I could do is look it up. I have never had one of these apart this far.

I have reached "the level of my incompetence."

Mike
 

Mike,

Your level of incompetence is greatly appreciated!!! You have answered all of my questions which helped me greatly. I thank you again for your time and knowledge.
 
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