P500 2017 Honda pioneer engine failure

[K9DR]

My 2017 pioneer 500 had to have and engine rebuild due to bad cylinder and piston ring failure. The Honda mechanic as well as an independent mechanic both said this was due to dirty air filter. Has anyone else experienced this? Honda mechanic says common with pioneer because where air intake is located And recommended raising it with a snorkel. All this happened with only 150 hrs and 500 miles! Just doesn’t seem right! All maintenance done on time and bike never abused.

 

[trigger]

Someone else just posted the same thing a couple days ago. Bought it used and the air filter wasn't installed right. Dirt in the engine isn't good. Did you ever check that air filter in 500 miles?

 

[K9DR]

I bought it new. Honda did first service and I did second service as recommended. Confident the filter was on correctly. Neither mechanic noted otherwise!

 

[Splorin]

Always been wary of my filter reinstall after service. I OCD-ADD triple check it. On P5's, snorkels are more of a beneficial 'dust' preventer. Nice to have for those 'LLoyd Bridges' moments but the dust rollback to stock location a bigger problem....

 

[Jerryg]

Dirt ingestion will kill an engine fast and is obvious when inspected.

Unfortunately Honda will not consider that their fault, which is what warranty means.

Sometimes if the customer is nice and the unit has very few hours on it, they will do something called "Goodwill", whereas maybe Honda will give you parts and you pay the labor, or something like that. Try asking for some goodwill help.

 

[K9DR]

Thanks for the input! It's back in service but, painful in the pocket book. The snorkel for dust is a definite upgrade. Any thoughts on covering intake with panty hose? Sounds like filter installation was issue. In future will triple check!!! Honda had no goodwill!

 

[Jerryg]

Honda uses a Cyclone A/F on their General Purpose Engines, I wonder if there is any way to make it work for SXS's.

It's used for dusty conditions on certain equipment like concrete saws and such.

Here is an overview:

Honda launches an all new Cyclone Air Cleaner for its GX-series - Press releases - Honda Engines

 

[Mudder]

This thread has me picking up a new air filter tomorrow. Thanks for posting a reminder @K9DR .

 

[K9DR]

 

[trigger]

Thanks for the input! It's back in service but, painful in the pocket book. The snorkel for dust is a definite upgrade. Any thoughts on covering intake with panty hose? Sounds like filter installation was issue. In future will triple check!!! Honda had no goodwill!

I use pantyhose on the tips and also a precharger on a K&N. They catch a lot before it gets to the filter.

 

[KyGal83]

Looks like a triple check of my filter is overdue.. This makes me nervous. I ride a lot of dusty gravel roads.

 

[Bmurray]

I bought a spare air filter for mine. Changed it at the first service. this way I can rotate them at each oil change. It doesn't hurt to add a bit of filter oil or vaseline at the filter mount.

 

[Keebler]

I read your post a couple days ago and have thought about it a bit. If dirt is the problem you should find dirt on the engine side of the intake after the air filter, was the intake tube pretty dirty. From my dirtbike days the things that I have seen that killed engines was the throttle body (carb type thing) not properly in the rubber boot and tightened down, air cleaner not installed right, or tear in the air filter. In any case if it is dirt you should have signs of dirt in the throttle body, is there any? Other things that can kill compression quickly is a bad oil pump or oil filter installed backwards.

 

[K9DR]

Mechanic said yes! I'm a veterinarian , so really can not answer those questions. Can change oil and filters. He indicated air filter was dirty and not oiled. He did say there was sludge?? Thanks for input. It is repaired and running now. Honda mechanic did work after hours.

 

[MI-Trailblazer]

One thing to note on this: you should be checking the air filter before every ride, not just at the oil change interval. The trails and roads by my cabin are extremely dusty in the summer. If I take any of my machines up there to ride, I have to clean the air filter after 1 day of riding.

However, a dirty air filter will not cause engine failure like you had. A dirty filter will have the engine down on power and possibly lean-popping under acceleration. Sounds to me like you either had the filter not installed correctly, or there is a crack some where else between your filter and the throttle body. The snorkel idea would not have prevented this, just helped reduce the amount of dirt getting to the filter.

I would recommend getting a replacement air filter, like a Uni, Twin-Air or K&N. I've never had good luck with the factory stock air filters after about 2 ~ 3 services.

 

[Keebler]

Make sure you oil the filter good with the proper air filter oil. I apply a squiggle of oil all around the air filter then place the air filter in a big zip lock bag and squeeze and release the air filter repeatedly until the oil is thoroughly throughout the foam. Next inspect the filter for rips and tears, then place a bit a grease on the rubber that mounts to the air filter box lip.

 

[HBarlow]

OP you told us the story but you skipped over the only important fact.

Was the air filter dirty?

 

[DG Rider]

OP you told us the story but you skipped over the only important fact.

Was the air filter dirty?

It was a dirty whore I bet!