BLOWN Acura RSX Type S K20A2 Complete Engine Teardown! I... I Did NOT Expect This!

If this is the first teardown you are finding, there are over 20 others I've done! Lots of LS's, A viper engine, rx8 rotary, and a couple SRT8 Hemi's to name a few. Check them out here • Blown Up Engine Tear D...
My name is Eric and I own and run a full service auto salvage business called Importapart located in the Saint Louis MO area. Part of our model is dismantling and selling parts from rare and niche market engines. If you're interested in buying parts from other engines I've torn down, email us at [e-mail].
In this video I tear down a 2002-2004 Acura RSX Type S K20A2 Engine. This engine we pulled from a local self service salvage yard, sort of an atypical situation but we do get these with the intent to part out from time to time. I want to apologize for the lost audio and lack of filming showing the rods and pistons being removed. This teardown took some gnarly turns and was NOT what I expected.
As always, I appreciate all of the feedback, comments and even the criticism. This is an evolving process for me and I hope to improve as I go.
Catch you on the next one!
-Eric

[@PolkStreet44]

My milkshake brings all the rods to the yard...

[@christophertstone]

"Piston McNuggets" -- Excellent, keep them coming!

[@mrz80]

"extra inspection ports... crankcase ventilation..."

[@jokrkillah]

That's exactly what happened to mine when mine dropped a valve when I missed shift

[@MrCumstein]

It’s their new 24 piece value meal. Sounds tasty.

[@mysock351C]

@@MrCumstein You can't have the Piston McNuggets without the Miss Shift sauce. I'm pretty certain the owner actually got two packs of it with his meal, here. Either the 2-1 sauce, or maybe the 3-2 sauce. Both are quite good and always come with infinite gap plugs.

[@MultiMightyQuinn]

These videos are like brain candy. Being a different type of geek, I respect your love of the craft. I hate that the best videos result in less money for you, but watching you diagnose issues and playing the "I bet I can figure it out before I get there" game is awesome to see. Love the content, please keep sharing!

[@robertwinston2496]

Haha, Piston McNuggets!! Love it. I had a 2004 RSX-S. That engine, when well cared for, was amazing and bullet proof. Who doesn't love an 8k+ redline?

[@justsumguy2u]

When you hear old-time car guys talking about an engine that 'ate a piston', this is exactly what they mean. This has all of the signs of the classic money shift

[@Funwithhighnotes]

Definitely a money shift. That was my first thought after seeing that spark plug.

[@paul06660]

was thinking the same thing. These cars are especially prone to going into 1st instead of 3rd gear if you dont shift carefully enough.

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

@@paul06660 Yeah, sure, blame the car!

[@lagoat4]

After it ate, the burp was probably heard for several blocks!

[@dkis8730]

@@paul06660 I money shifted my a2 to about 11.5k rpms going 3-2. It took it shockingly well, all things considered. Developed a slight knock, main damage was a cam bearing that was scored. The rest of the bearings/rods/pistons/crank were perfectly fine somehow. Even had perfect compression. Still drove it to work and back for a bit. I ended up doing a k24/20 build with forged internals, cams, and valvetrain tho.

[@jfan4reva]

"Aluminum Gravel", "Piston McNuggets" Lol! Gotta love these Eric-isms. Thanks for the video. Gotta go check my oil now....

[@patrickmorrissey2271]

"This clearly happened at idle...." that one always cracks me up!!!!

[@TheIcyWizard705]

I mean clearly what happened with this engine is that the owner needed just a little bit more gravel for their driveway and decided they wanted to finish it with engine internals

[@douglasburnside]

Your camera work and editing on these videos is fantastically good.

[@I_Do_Cars]

Thank you! I try to get better each time

[@Rick_B52]

The hammered finish on that rod turned out great! 😆

[@mrz80]

How about the distressed finish on the combustion chamber? :D

[@MultipliedByZero]

While the parts probably aren't worth much in your shop, I'd live to see a VW "W8" from an early 2000's Passat. Probably the most unique engine of the last 20 years.

[@09corvettezr1]

Humble Mechanic did a tear down of a W8 if you haven’t already seen it.

[@bojned]

@@09corvettezr1 I like how we all hang around the same channels. Humble Mechanic, Deutsche auto parts, Gears and Gasoline, Rob Dahm...

[@chubbysumo2230]

or a W12 if you can find it.

[@Flies2FLL]

+1, though as said below, it has been done. Frankly, I'd like to see him tear down a Porsche M28 from a 928 some time.

[@jonathangingerich6184]

Yes! This would be great....used to own one a few years back

[@skildude]

Not only did they ride it rough, they ran it in DGAF mode for a few miles.

[@antonoudenhoven7573]

What does dgaf means

[@nakian5316]

@@antonoudenhoven7573 don't give a f***

[@peteyv]

@@antonoudenhoven7573 Direct Gasoline Acceleration Format - it’s a rare option that comes with VTEC engines of this time. Dominic Torretto and Brian Earl Spilner were the engineers behind it. They developed it in hopes of mass producing cars that run the 1/4 mile @ 10 or less seconds.

[@saltwater8915]

yeah ... never hang with the DILIGAF crowd, close contact with them will rob your brain of IQ points

[@dkis8730]

Probably a money shift that quickly caused that carnage. Engine looked well taken care of as far as oil goes. All those small metal bits from a money shift can quickly chew through those other bearings.

[@TomPauls007]

You are so very entertaining! I need to create a special dictionary for this channel. Piston McNuggets, engine gravel, special inspection port, bearing foil, cylinder delete…. Great! Do you have an excellent sense of humor.

[@MrBdavis99]

These engine autopsy videos are awesome. Keep 'em coming!

[@Ando2k10]

Yeah, it's sort of a "CSI: Importapart".

[@maxcactus7]

I REALLY appreciate your summary and explanation of exactly how you believe the patient died. It makes perfect sense and it serves as a great reminder to the rest of us to check & change our oil regularly! I hate seeing great engines destroyed like this, but the lessons we can learn are tremendously valuable. Thank you SO much!

[@glfarwell]

I guess the value of this engine was mostly entertainment for the viewer. I thank you for your work in entertaining us!!!

[@CharlesVanNoland]

These have been my favorite vids to watch while drinking beer for the last few months.

[@DaveO-te1iv]

That was an unconventional...but very effective way to knock the carbon out of a combustion chamber.

[@davidschofl3908]

In Germany it is 3 am and I am happy to watch your video right now

[@powerman1955]

Love it! This was WAY better than ANYTHING on TV on Saturday night And yes, your sped up air impact is now my favorite sound, no contest!

[@MasterMalrubius]

These videos are strangely addictive.

[@battosaijenkins946]

@I Do Cars, heheheh awesome video sir! You should be named Dr. Engine! 👏🙌👏

[@WilliamEly]

pew pew pew

[@frankgizzler5268]

It’s soothingly good. I sleep better

[@panemetcircenses510]

Look up lyre bird on here. There’s one that sounds just like the sped up impact. I swear that bird probably lives behind the shop.

[@RichEdwards]

It would be interesting to see a detailed breakdown of what’s salvageable from engine’s like this and what makes the parts that aren’t scrap.

[@jodybradshaw3988]

I know next to nothing of engines, yet your videos fascinate me. Well done sir.

[@elen5871]

absolutely nutty that it held that piston inside, that's probably the most damage I've ever seen that didn't leave a big ol' peephole to show its work.

[@7KidsSpanoMan]

I hate to see you take any financial hits but these are by far my favorite tear downs. It is always interesting to see the inside of a block where C4 may have detonated.

[@blakestone75]

Yeah, but as he said at the start, the car was at the salvage yard, but it wasnt wrecked. There's not many reasons for a K20 honda to be in that state except for... Engine be ded. He anticipated this and bought it anyway. maybe for the lulz.

[@nononsenseBennett]

Impressive bottom end on that engine.

[@kennethpowers8995]

FYI you don’t have to take the intake manifold off the Type S to do a starter, just the IM bracket. On the Base RSX with the A3 (EP3 Si style) manifold it’s a pain and may well be necessary in that instance, but for the A2 or K20Z powered RSX models removing the intake manifold is not necessary.

[@bigguy2683]

I'm much older than you but have developed considerable respect for you. My engine experience consists of rebuilding 396s. This little engine is cute and looks strong. But, you know, I see the hot shots daily in their little Hondas or whatever....very small displacement just driven to the max etc. I hear them too....someone should tell people who drive ridiculous little 4 cylinder cars that if you take the exhaust off a lawn mower it will be loud. Loud means nothing except you have identified yourself as a fool to all within earshot.

[@12345.......]

That isn't carnage, that is art

[@TheProjectHelpDesk]

"The right tool for the job, is the one you have." My channel lives by that mantra.

[@jamesparks2242]

Your tear down procedures are better than Snowman Ray's ASSEMBLY procedures. You, Hickock. 45 and Gentry Trucking are the only videos I watch anymore. You make me glad I retired 7 yrs. ago. Guess the days of doing a one day in frame overhaul on an Accord engine are gone. You and Hickock. 45 should do a teardown video together. When you reach the point of it not coming apart he could break out the Barret .50 caliber and help you. Everytime you say glitter I think of the New York Dolls. Guess that ages me. Thanks.

[@SmallMartingale]

I laughed pretty hard at this one, you're really getting good at the commentary 👍

[@daytrypper]

Epic! Love your tear downs! Keep 'em coming!

[@wheelitzr2]

I am very VERY much enjoying these teardown videos! Thank you!

[@fitfogey]

We love your engine teardowns with lots of carnage.

[@intensemojo]

One of the most educational channels I follow -- always great stuff

[@25enyce]

Really enjoy watching your engine teardown videos! Keep coming with new content. Thanks

[@Maxprofits101]

Easily my favorite channel. Keep up the good work mate!

[@MultiBluedog123]

Just found this channel, love how straight to the point u are man def got a new sub here !

[@CrazyPetez]

Your running commentary is always entertaining. You make the carnage so interesting. Keep up the good work.

[@claytonjones006]

Thanks again for another great video. I like you summary at the end to explain what probably caused the damage. I look forward to your videos every week!

[@markandkiminnewzealand2702]

I really enjoy the tear downs but the ones with essential bits missing are the best Thanks for sharing

[@kwakas4ever]

I look forward to this every week. Love ya work!

[@nothanks7285]

Cool video dude! I watched all 25 minutes and was thoroughly entertained & learned a lot. I'm in the middle of replacing everying on the serpentine belt in my K20A3. AC compressor, water pump, alternator, power steering pump AND the tensioner pulley.... I'm doing the motor mount &thermostat while I'm at it too.

[@daveayres8273]

I appreciate your efforts with this site. I 've learned a lot about the engines of the last twenty years through your teardowns. I've been away from engine building for the last 30 years. A lot has changed but now these recent engines are not a mystery to me anymore..

[@goodeggproductions]

It was cool to see this engine torn down. I owned an 03 RSX-S for 13 years and put 197,000 miles on it before I sold it. It never broke. And I was getting 31 mpg at the end. Granted, I didn't beat it up daily, but it was the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. It was on the ORIGINAL clutch when I sold it. The only things that ever needed to be replaced was a window motor, the master/slave clutch cylinder, and the A/C compressor. Oh... and I once ran it for about 500 miles 4 quarts low on oil. Honda made an amazing, bulletproof motor with the K20A2. I'd love to know the story on what the owner was doing on the regular to Thanos snap a piston.

[@45AMT]

Good tear down! Now these are the type engines i enjoy working on! Man! That thing got hammered!!! I think you're spot on Eric on how it got blown up. Awesome video!!

[@huojin01]

Glad to be able to see a disassembling video of this engine.

[@senior_ranger]

Can't judge a book by its cover!! Thanks for the best part of Saturday night!!

[@evh4evr]

Just sat down for dinner and got the notification. Perfect timing!

[@lifeflightunlimitedblu-deu1592]

Love you’r video - every tear down is journey and adventure- learning so much

[@patrickmoodabe9728]

Seriously dude - hit Milwaukee up! I suspect you’ve singlehandedly raised their sales by 1%. There’s a wonderfully morbid curiosity as to how these once functioning & probably loved engines met their demise. Your diagnosis & experience are fantastic learning moments. You shouldn’t be surprised by your popularity. Good job 🤙🤙🤙

[@roberthickoxjr]

Absolutely enjoy your teardowns

[@danielurban5500]

Thanks! Such impressive carnage! Never have I enjoyed a piston, rod reduced to small aluminum confetti and like you comically mentioned, no evacuation of parts! So impressive and for me, fun! Again, thank you very much...

[@SmallMartingale]

What a novel idea they had adding all those little satellite pistons! Now that's innovation that excites

[@trainfixer1981]

I love watching Adam Sandler tear down engines! cyber bulling jokes aside, I really enjoy your channel, keep up the great work!

[@wisidwongwudthianun2784]

I like your tear down the AcuraRSK. never see something like this before. Thank a lot.

[@ikocheratcr]

Love the style and "terminology": "piston mcnuggets", "aluminum gravel", "vomit fluid". And yes, no grocery store music or BS. Raw as it is. Keep em coming. Subscribed two videos ago :)

[@adampopour8491]

When that VTEC hit next level

[@theoldeagle22]

Thank you for videos. I have adult onset Muscular dystrophy and it’s limits me. Your videos help me during a recovery period, it took my mind off my pain. Thank you

[@31dknight]

Another great teardown video.

[@troyrosenbaugh9935]

Dude, that's insanity, 8k explosion. How is the block a survivor. Wow. Great tear down!

[@peterbennett4754]

You’re definitely the best engine take down fella, you got the good noises of bolt removal fast forward, but you know what happened to the engine 👌

[@ericecklund676]

I have a K24 in my Honda Accord, and it's always a blast watching you tear down one of the K engines. Looks like someone ignored where his redline was supposed to be. Great video!

[@jerediswatching6563]

Dude your pretty funny. I really enjoy the content. It's great to see it all come apart and see what can actually happen in these engines...but your commentary is also great! :)

[@GeoSeanKeffer]

Look at all that engine confetti! This engine was partying hard!!

[@andrewhudson3723]

Holy crap, greatest tear down!!

[@theladyjaiproject576]

That was fun!. enjoyed that tear dwon.

[@Henry-fx4yk]

Great video Eric! Imagine the sound it made at the moment it let go!

[@CoronetFan]

Nice work Eric!

[@martyketelaar5277]

Yup, definitely a metal pan and not an oil pan; close to the 5.3L but not quite. Great video Eric; keep them coming!!!

[@rayberlin]

Love a good blown engine mystery.

[@jeflarremore7170]

Moon rocks. I'm impressed it stayed in the engine. If I was an engineer, that would be my goal for catastrophic failure. Keep it contained. Engine is ruined, but hey, no flying parts. Amazing. Waiting for the day you find change from the the seat in the engine.

[@giannihuertas9910]

“Reynolds bearing foil” this one sent me 🤣

[@peterblacklin9174]

It seems you are talking to me, giving just me, a personal guided tour. These video are masterpieces. Thank you.

[@TheMadTube]

That’s a money shift there. Went to downshift from 5-4 and grabbed 2 by mistake. That poor K-series experienced jet turbine speeds for a *very* brief time.

[@spyderlogan4992]

I'm not an expert, but that sounds like a very plausible explanation of the root cause. Thanks~!

[@volvo09]

Don't think so. These are known high oil burners. I have one, and had another from brand new... the oil usage really can catch you off guard... When you BEAT THE F out of these engines they use a lot of oil. I've gone a few k miles and used much oil, but take a 1k mile trip through some fun roads, revving out lots of twists and turns, and you can find yourself suddenly low on oil. Anyone buying a car with this engine and not checking the oil while revving the piss out of it day by day, they will run it low on oil, and when it's being driven hard that only happens under load, or high rpm. Thus the heated and spun lower end bearings, i'm guessing from a few weeks of ripping through gears to the 8200 rpm redline as the engine sucked in air. The oil pump also looked new, so someone was hunting low oil pressure or a knock before it KO'd.

[@matthewmurphy8981]

Piston mcnuggets. Hilarious! Your sense of humor is a great compliment to your engine teardown expertise and commentary. That poor motor was severely hooned.

[@kardy81]

Another one, that produced "piston confetti"... Impressive!

[@Cartier_specialist]

That fluid that came out of that engine when you flipped it upside down was death fluid obviously.

[@zarkondamean]

If I were still young, I'd be temped to beg you to let me work with you! I've learned so much watching your tear downs.

[@Taylorek2011]

How does this channel not have more subscribers. SO glad I stumbled across it.

[@drawingdreams1072]

Those videos are the best fR keep up

[@zordonthevoyagesof577]

This video was very helpful. Really makes me what to pull my engine to replace water pump hoses or oil pump.

[@TestECull]

22:26 I'm thinking oil starvation lead to a spun rod bearing, which when the engine was pushed hard made it shatter a slug. That cracked the cylinder and let cooland FLOOD the case, the still running engine mixed shrapnel and coolant with oil, and voila: One K20 served medium well with a side of homemade anti-sieze!

[@ritchie9601]

Nah, that’s not anti-seize, that’s seize and shake right there!

[@robertslegers257]

I think it was that Carquest oil filter. If they had used a Fram the engine would still be running.

[@TestECull]

@@robertslegers257 nah FRAM bombs kill engines all the time. Worst filter you can buy.

[@MugenRicer]

Love your videos brother keep it up.

[@secondthought2320]

Gotta get my tear down fix. Let's go...

[@allenbeaulieu7077]

Absolutely incredible that nothing came through the block. The damage is consistent with wide open throttle rpm and it’s unbelievable that there are no big holes. Great video. Big Al.

[@keything8487]

lotta new words in this video !!.......i cant imagine the sound it made when it let loose........regardless, very therapeutic to watch, and yes we like the space laser sounds.

[@Antza]

22:45, one of us! One of us!

[@tonyarreola1456]

The “piston Mc’Nuggets” 👌🏽😂

[@panzerleader49]

I'm a 'car guy ' myself so I watch EVERY one of your youtubes without fail and from start to finish. Awesome. In this one the very APEX of hilarity was when you talked about huge pieces of piston and .... 'satellite' pieces!!! HAAAA hahahahah! That was even better for being spontaneous! Awesome; keep up the great work! I hope you make a fortune off of these videos!

[@Mike-pr8hx]

BIG BOOM! The thumbs downs are the previous owner's buddies :) Thanks for your hard work and posting the good, the bad, and the ugly.

[@Indy125]

love these videos!

[@roxanneabbott8424]

Thank you for the zip zip noise back, lol!!!

[@lewf5685]

Great video! Thanks.

[@alinepeed7167]

Like you, I'm also surprised this was not a FORD case. OH! I believe I have managed to watch almost all of your videos (some more than once) over the course of the last six weeks. This is car gore, and from it I have learned why I need to check the oil in my '03 Ford Escort ZX2 with the 2.0 L 4-cylinder. She's all I've got, and I'm going to do all I can to make sure she doesn't end up like what I've seen.

[@cb2536]

I like how you use few words when many people would use many words.

[@alanrlocklear]

Nice K20 teardown. I know you're probably tired of hearing this but I'm dying to see an LS teardown in a future video.

[@baz2084]

piston mcnuggets, I listen to your videos on a second screen while gaming, and I died I laughed so hard. ty, needed that today.

[@deepsouth5154]

Back in my salad days, I was directly behind an Andrews cammed 1050 motor Kawasaki with an open Kerker header. As I was easing around he missed the 3-4 shift. The blast of parts leaving the pipe was no less than that of a shotgun. There were pieces stuck in my visor. The motor? Number 3 plug could not be removed.

[@YUHJKT]

Excellent diagnostics doctor. I agree. This wasn't suicide. This was murder. A case of neglect, starvation and blunt force trauma. I'm sure that the previous owner will walk free from this carnage and most likely hasn't learned his lesson. What a shame.