I have a 2005 Honda Element with a 5-Speed standard transmission and 220,000 kms on the odometer (136,700 mi). The thrust washer packed it in a while ago and I have not driven the car since due to the occasional knocking noise and clutch takeup issues. I dropped the oil pan last week and found the peices of the thrust washer in the bottom plus grooves in the main bearing area. We have here the remains of a thrust washer and aluminum silt from the crankshaft wearing away at the bedplate and block. Measured the endplay at 50 thou (should be 5-13). Otherwise the engine runs perfectly and the compression in all 4 cylinders is 182-186 psi.
So, the question is: Can the engine be saved by installing new thrust washers and main bearings or is the engine done? These Honda engines have integrated bearing caps in an aluminum "lower block" configuration so popping off a cap and checking things out is not possible within the car; engine has to be pulled.
And in case you were wondering about the cause of this damage, I bought this car two years ago on a small budget and it ran great - for a while. I think the previous owner hammered the clutch with years of slow, stop-and-go city commuting through the Greater Toronto Area. I noticed that it was on its second clutch.