My PCX 150 developed a rattling/knocking noise and I took it to a Honda dealer in the area (Im in San Diego,CA). The dealer tells me it is a sound coming from the engine and it could be a lower end problem (Does that sound right? Im not technically savy). They think its not a piston issue but could be worn bearings.
My PCX has 23,000 miles on it and I use it for commuting. They told me that just labor on tearing the bike apart and putting it back together as is will cost $1250 total and is without cost of parts since they don't know which parts I need without opening it up.
I have an extended warranty from Honda and its still valid. I used it a year and a half ago when my bike started burning oil out of the exhaust. That was diagnosed as a piston failure. Part of the piston wall broke away and did a ton of damage. Honda agreed to cover the labor and I covered the parts which was only about $300.
Fast forward to today and the dealer said that they cannot be sure its covered under warranty. They have to open up the engine, inspect the damage, catalog the issue and send pictures to Honda so they can decide if the warranty will cover it. So I really need some advice here. Has anyone dealt with this kind of issue? Probably bearing failure. They checked the engine oil and it was at the correct level. But they said that they have never seen a PCX 150 with as many miles as mine and said it was most likely a case of overheating and stressing the engine. I rarely take my PCX on the freeway these days and I take mainly surface roads so I don't stress the bike that much.
I do have a shop manual and the service manager agreed to let me take the bike home in pieces for $650 if it was not covered under warranty and I decided I wanted to try to work on it on my own. But like I said I am not a mechanic and I would need major help.
My options:
1. Take the bike home after the 1 HR diagnosis for $90. Save for the repair.
If Warranty doesnt cover it
2. Let them tear the engine apart, diagnose it then take it home for $650 and try to fix it myself.
3. Let them complete the repair, I estimate it would be about $1500 total based on the cost of parts during my last major repair.
Does anyone know if Honda would cover a bearing failure due to high mileage and engine stress/overheating?
Thanks.
Covered under warranty?
Moderator: Modsquad
-
- Forum Benefactor
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Thu May 21, 2015 3:53 pm
- Year: 2013 PCX125
- Color: White
- Location: Northamptonshire UK
Re: Covered under warranty?
I don't think 23'000 miles is a lot. No way pistons should break up either. That motor sounds like a right dud.
I don't have a warranty so don't know, but surely this must be covered?
If all else fails a motor from a front ended bike would be a sure fix, buy a complete bike, swap the power unit, sell the rest as spares.
I don't have a warranty so don't know, but surely this must be covered?
If all else fails a motor from a front ended bike would be a sure fix, buy a complete bike, swap the power unit, sell the rest as spares.
- you you
- What's a wot?
- Posts: 10001
- Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 5:37 pm
- Location: Between Lulu and Chichi
Re: Covered under warranty?
Cut your losses and buy another scootericemanhg wrote:My PCX 150 developed a rattling/knocking noise and I took it to a Honda dealer in the area (Im in San Diego,CA). The dealer tells me it is a sound coming from the engine and it could be a lower end problem (Does that sound right? Im not technically savy). They think its not a piston issue but could be worn bearings.
My PCX has 23,000 miles on it and I use it for commuting. They told me that just labor on tearing the bike apart and putting it back together as is will cost $1250 total and is without cost of parts since they don't know which parts I need without opening it up.
I have an extended warranty from Honda and its still valid. I used it a year and a half ago when my bike started burning oil out of the exhaust. That was diagnosed as a piston failure. Part of the piston wall broke away and did a ton of damage. Honda agreed to cover the labor and I covered the parts which was only about $300.
Fast forward to today and the dealer said that they cannot be sure its covered under warranty. They have to open up the engine, inspect the damage, catalog the issue and send pictures to Honda so they can decide if the warranty will cover it. So I really need some advice here. Has anyone dealt with this kind of issue? Probably bearing failure. They checked the engine oil and it was at the correct level. But they said that they have never seen a PCX 150 with as many miles as mine and said it was most likely a case of overheating and stressing the engine. I rarely take my PCX on the freeway these days and I take mainly surface roads so I don't stress the bike that much.
I do have a shop manual and the service manager agreed to let me take the bike home in pieces for $650 if it was not covered under warranty and I decided I wanted to try to work on it on my own. But like I said I am not a mechanic and I would need major help.
My options:
1. Take the bike home after the 1 HR diagnosis for $90. Save for the repair.
If Warranty doesnt cover it
2. Let them tear the engine apart, diagnose it then take it home for $650 and try to fix it myself.
3. Let them complete the repair, I estimate it would be about $1500 total based on the cost of parts during my last major repair.
Does anyone know if Honda would cover a bearing failure due to high mileage and engine stress/overheating?
Thanks.
-
- Forum Benefactor
- Posts: 2860
- Joined: Sun Dec 29, 2013 11:43 pm
- Year: 2014 125 (LED)
- Color: White
- Location: London, England
Re: Covered under warranty?
Not good for Honda/dealer to get you to pay part cost for a mechanical failure that's not brought on by poor servicing when you have an extended warranty (what use is it!).

- maddiedog
- Benevolent Overlord
- Posts: 3646
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2011 7:04 pm
- Year: 2011
- Color: White
- Location: New Mexico
- Contact:
Re: Covered under warranty?
That's BS! Your wear is not absurd, and the piston failure, if not done perfectly and the engine flushed really well, could have resulted in debris in the lower end eating the bearings up.icemanhg wrote: most likely a case of overheating and stressing the engine.
That's the wrong approach. You have a Honda. It's durable. 20k miles is within its usage parameters, and since you've had warranty work already, they should cover yet another failure on their end. It's under warranty that you paid extra for ffs!icemanhg wrote: Does anyone know if Honda would cover a bearing failure due to high mileage and engine stress/overheating?
Unless you're exceeding the weight capacity, or missed maintenance windows, the high mileage or stress / overheating is invalid. I'd seek warranty replacement, and make a huge stink if they don't.
Currently ride: Nothing right now - mostly mountain biking with my boys until they're old enough to ride
Previously rides: 2011 Honda PCX 125, 2005 V-Strom DL650, 1974 Vespa Ciao, 2011 Honda PCX 170 (tons of mods - takegawa 170cc big bore kit, gears, etc), 1996 Honda Nighthawk 250, 1987 Honda Spree, 2000 KTM 125SX, 2003 Honda Silverwing, 2007 Genuine Buddy 125, 1998 Honda PC800, 2008 Buddy 125 (white), 2008 Buddy 125 (red), 2001 Honda Reflex, 1987 Honda Elite, 1988 Honda Spree, 2007 Yamaha Vino, 2007 Honda Metro, 2x 125cc pure-chinesium dirt bikes

Previously rides: 2011 Honda PCX 125, 2005 V-Strom DL650, 1974 Vespa Ciao, 2011 Honda PCX 170 (tons of mods - takegawa 170cc big bore kit, gears, etc), 1996 Honda Nighthawk 250, 1987 Honda Spree, 2000 KTM 125SX, 2003 Honda Silverwing, 2007 Genuine Buddy 125, 1998 Honda PC800, 2008 Buddy 125 (white), 2008 Buddy 125 (red), 2001 Honda Reflex, 1987 Honda Elite, 1988 Honda Spree, 2007 Yamaha Vino, 2007 Honda Metro, 2x 125cc pure-chinesium dirt bikes