TheDeliSauce's SI Build (So Far)

[TheDeliSauce]

Woah. Sorry to hear about this. Do you have any idea for the reason behind the failure?

I believe it was just a bad PCV valve in combination with driving hard. Blew out all my oil before I had a chance to notice. My maintenance records indicate PCV was stuck open since roughly 53k miles (Last oil change before any issues). High k.con & audible knocking started around 55k miles, then spun a rod bearing around 57k miles. Replaced short lock with fully built custom MAP "Stage 2" L15B7 short block. Issues started up again around 61k mikes (Within 2700 miles), then I spun a thrust bearing (Didn't know til after next event) at 63k miles. Dropped trans & oil pan, thought I fixed it, drove it not even a mile & threw the thrust bearing. Checked the oil pan again & there it was, what was left of it rather. Sent OG block to CSS & got it back, & just waiting for a 73.5mm head gasket to transfer parts over & put it back together. (My records on all this are exact to the day & mile, I just abbreviated & summarized most of it for simplicity's sake)

I of course replaced the PCV valve. I also replaced the turbo with something bigger & funner, & I've been inspecting everything as I've been digging into the engine. Only bearings have been effected so far, cams & everything in the head is just fine. Got a full round of new bearings, fluids, & anything else needing replaced. Contemplating Skunk2 Stage 2 Cams while she's out, but I don't know if I want (/ afford) to mess with tuning right now or shattering third or fourth gear.

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[TheDeliSauce]

Some progress being made. Slowly but surely.

The now-old block with the toasted thrust bearing otherwise looks great.

Valvetrain looks good to me. I have to check cylinder 1's intake valves though, cause they were open when I rotated the crankshaft with the timing chain off. Finger's crossed.

Pulled everything off/out/apart.

Putting everything together again. Cleaned everything off, put the new 73.5mm JE pistons together with the rods, put the crankshaft in & did the FSM song & dance to spec. Rear main seal plate is also on now with a bit more Hondabond than was necessary (I need the little nozzle so bad).

Muscled the old block off the stand & the new one with crank onto it. I recommend a hoist or another set of hands.

Awaiting piston ring install tool & head gasket which should both be here today or tomorrow. Praying the reassembly continues to go "smoothly".

 

[Gandalf]

Any updates on your build?

 

[TheDeliSauce]

Any updates on your build?

You asked mere minutes before I upload the whole story to GTMan's reliability thread. Good timing!

 

[Gandalf]

You asked mere minutes before I upload the whole story to GTMan's reliability thread. Good timing!

Haha, I'll have a look there soon then. Thanks!

 

[TheDeliSauce]

Quoting my reliability thread update:

"Good afternoon, gentlemen.

I know it's been an awful long time since I've updated. The issues with the SI have been hell for the past couple years (2 years, 4 months, 7 days since big issues started to be exact). I hope my experiences & findings help others avoid or diagnose any potential issues. My issues have all been oil related to some degree. Please check/change your oil & PCV valve often!

Godspeed, & happy modding!

• Issue 4 (63439 miles): Oil pump housing scored & worn. Debris from the oil strainer pickup tube made its way into the oil pump, getting forced between the oil pump gear & oil pump housing. Symptoms are subtle squeaking early on with subtle audible knocking later on from 63,016 miles to now at 63,439 miles. K.Con spikes haven’t manifested during these issues & symptoms can easily be missed if you aren’t experienced in what to listen for. Knocking sound volume increases <140F, seemingly not throttle dependent, & <3,000 RPM.
  

The oil pumps' scoring (Top assembly is "current", bottom assembly is from the MAP block).

The metallic debris from deep inside the oil strainer pickup tube that I was able to blast out with brake clean & compressed air.

"