Common S2000 Problems/Solutions (1999-2009)
03-18-2009, 11:51 AM
#1
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Common S2000 Problems/Solutions (1999-2009)
AP1 (1999-2003)
Problem: Why is my carpet always moving around? (MY00 only)
Solution: Technical Service Bulletin
Problem: Oil consumption
Solution: Some owners have said that a catch can has solved the issue.
Fact: Several S2000 owners have reported a oil consumption issue with Mobile 1.
Fact: Early AP1's (1999-2003) have a reputation of burning oil while in Vtec.
Problem: Buzzing from the transmission while decelerating. (MY00-02)
Solution: Technical Service Bulletin
Fact: Leaving the car as is won't cause any damages. AKA clutch buzz.
Problem: Rear window is creased, clouded or scratched. (MY00-01)
Solution 1: Cleaning - Technical Service Bulletin
Solution 2: Rear Window Replacement - Technical Service Bulletin
Solution 3: Upgrade to glass window / Topsonline
Problem: Grinding when shifting into 2nd gear.
Solution: Technical Service Bulletin
Problem: While doing a valve adjustment I've noticed cracked retainers.
Solution: Upgrade to AP2 retainers (better).
Note: Over-revs, miss shifts and oil starvation are the main reasons of engine damage.
AP2 (2004-2009)
Problem: Gear lever pops out of 2nd, 4th or 6th gear.
Solution: Technical Service Bulletin
Problem: CEL P1172 and/or P2A00. (MY06+)
Solution: Technical Service Bulletin
Problem: Convertible top is torn at the lock handle and/or the right rear. (MY05+)
Solution: Technical Service Bulletin
Problem: Dash begins to bubble, blister or wrinkle. (MY06+)
Solution: Dash replacement. Problem description
ALL (1999-2009)
Problem: When accelerating, my car pulls on the left or right side.
Solution: The S2000 is very sensitive to tire pressure. Check tire pressure while respecting the OEM tire pressure specs.
Problem: Clicking noise from rear when moving in first gear or reverse. Sounds like two metal marbles.
Solution: Honda use to torque the axle nuts to 180 lbs. The correct torque is now 200 ft-lbs + 60 degrees lbs. Torque your axle nuts.
Problem: Vibration during acceleration
Solution: Pitted cv boot are a common S2000 problem. You can Swap them from left to right.
Link: How to swap cv boot
Problem: Ride height is not the same everywhere / Weird handling
Note: You may still have the spring spacers. They were used during shipment and many have been forgotten.
Link: What spring spacers look like
Problem: Intermittent hesitation during hard acceleration. (MY00-05)
Solution: Technical Service Bulletin
Problem: I'm having trouble starting the car after a spin out at the track.
Solution: Several S2000 owners have reported this.
Problem: Grinding when shifting gear.
Solution: When was the last time you changed your transmission fluid? Honda has updated their MTF formula for better shifting.
Problem: Transmission is hard to shift when cold.
Solution: All S2000 owners have reported this. Give it time to warm up.
Problem: CEL P1399, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 (Random Misfire)
Solution: Member Negcamber's checklist
Problem: Whistling sound coming from engine bay.
Solution: Have you recently removed your air box cover?
Problem: My top has a tear in it, how can I fix it?
Solution: Member Dlg04's how-to repair
Problem: Engine noise coming from engine bay. It sounds like cards in a spoke.
Solution: How to replace timing chain tensioner (TCT)
Problem: Wind noise / Soft top noise.
Solution: Technical Service Bulletin
Solution 2: Replace strikers with hard top strikers
Problem: After sitting for a long time, my car doesn't start on the first try.
Fact: Several S2000 owners have reported this.
Problem: Where is my fuel cap release button?
Solution: Look on the driver side door jam, pull on the little black button
Problem: Rattle when in neutral / Rattle stops when clutch is pressed.
Note: Several S2000 owners have reported this.
Maintenance
Engine Oil: 10W30 or 5W40 (Dyno or Syntec)
Transmission Oil: Honda MTF
Differential Oil: 75W90 GL-5 (Dyno or Syntec)
Clutch/Brake Fluid: Dot 3/Dot 4
Fluids
How to change engine oil
How to change transmission fluid
How to change differential fluid
Good general S2000 threads
S2000 Probem info (Thanks to dlg04)
Technical FAQ 2.1
OEM Filter Summary
Service Bulletin List
CEL List
How to install speakers
Problem: Why is my carpet always moving around? (MY00 only)
Solution: Technical Service Bulletin
Problem: Oil consumption
Solution: Some owners have said that a catch can has solved the issue.
Fact: Several S2000 owners have reported a oil consumption issue with Mobile 1.
Fact: Early AP1's (1999-2003) have a reputation of burning oil while in Vtec.
Problem: Buzzing from the transmission while decelerating. (MY00-02)
Solution: Technical Service Bulletin
Fact: Leaving the car as is won't cause any damages. AKA clutch buzz.
Problem: Rear window is creased, clouded or scratched. (MY00-01)
Solution 1: Cleaning - Technical Service Bulletin
Solution 2: Rear Window Replacement - Technical Service Bulletin
Solution 3: Upgrade to glass window / Topsonline
Problem: Grinding when shifting into 2nd gear.
Solution: Technical Service Bulletin
Problem: While doing a valve adjustment I've noticed cracked retainers.
Solution: Upgrade to AP2 retainers (better).
Note: Over-revs, miss shifts and oil starvation are the main reasons of engine damage.
AP2 (2004-2009)
Problem: Gear lever pops out of 2nd, 4th or 6th gear.
Solution: Technical Service Bulletin
Problem: CEL P1172 and/or P2A00. (MY06+)
Solution: Technical Service Bulletin
Problem: Convertible top is torn at the lock handle and/or the right rear. (MY05+)
Solution: Technical Service Bulletin
Problem: Dash begins to bubble, blister or wrinkle. (MY06+)
Solution: Dash replacement. Problem description
ALL (1999-2009)
Problem: When accelerating, my car pulls on the left or right side.
Solution: The S2000 is very sensitive to tire pressure. Check tire pressure while respecting the OEM tire pressure specs.
Problem: Clicking noise from rear when moving in first gear or reverse. Sounds like two metal marbles.
Solution: Honda use to torque the axle nuts to 180 lbs. The correct torque is now 200 ft-lbs + 60 degrees lbs. Torque your axle nuts.
Problem: Vibration during acceleration
Solution: Pitted cv boot are a common S2000 problem. You can Swap them from left to right.
Link: How to swap cv boot
Problem: Ride height is not the same everywhere / Weird handling
Note: You may still have the spring spacers. They were used during shipment and many have been forgotten.
Link: What spring spacers look like
Problem: Intermittent hesitation during hard acceleration. (MY00-05)
Solution: Technical Service Bulletin
Problem: I'm having trouble starting the car after a spin out at the track.
Solution: Several S2000 owners have reported this.
Problem: Grinding when shifting gear.
Solution: When was the last time you changed your transmission fluid? Honda has updated their MTF formula for better shifting.
Problem: Transmission is hard to shift when cold.
Solution: All S2000 owners have reported this. Give it time to warm up.
Problem: CEL P1399, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 (Random Misfire)
Solution: Member Negcamber's checklist
Problem: Whistling sound coming from engine bay.
Solution: Have you recently removed your air box cover?
Problem: My top has a tear in it, how can I fix it?
Solution: Member Dlg04's how-to repair
Problem: Engine noise coming from engine bay. It sounds like cards in a spoke.
Solution: How to replace timing chain tensioner (TCT)
Problem: Wind noise / Soft top noise.
Solution: Technical Service Bulletin
Solution 2: Replace strikers with hard top strikers
Problem: After sitting for a long time, my car doesn't start on the first try.
Fact: Several S2000 owners have reported this.
Problem: Where is my fuel cap release button?
Solution: Look on the driver side door jam, pull on the little black button
Problem: Rattle when in neutral / Rattle stops when clutch is pressed.
Note: Several S2000 owners have reported this.
Maintenance
Engine Oil: 10W30 or 5W40 (Dyno or Syntec)
Transmission Oil: Honda MTF
Differential Oil: 75W90 GL-5 (Dyno or Syntec)
Clutch/Brake Fluid: Dot 3/Dot 4
Fluids
How to change engine oil
How to change transmission fluid
How to change differential fluid
Good general S2000 threads
S2000 Probem info (Thanks to dlg04)
Technical FAQ 2.1
OEM Filter Summary
Service Bulletin List
CEL List
How to install speakers
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03-19-2009, 09:35 AM
#6
well, when my top tore, i use fabric glue to put it together and made it water proof. i did think about sewing it together but then i thought i would be putting little holes in my top because of the needle. and then i put a low friction material on the top to prevent the bar from making more wear holes. the material i used was a nylon fabric, that i got fron hankook, and it was a "stick-on" not the "iron on."
that or you could just replace a new top.
that or you could just replace a new top.
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03-19-2009, 05:48 PM
#10
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Great idea and great post. Final product should be stickied.
Oil consumption isn't really a problem on most Ap2 cars, just Ap1. Common fix was krank vents, but I believe they are no longer available.
Also, many Ap1 owners choose to replace their oil jet bolts if they have the older design.
Ap2 cars don't really have any problems that I know of aside from the tearing top.
Oil consumption isn't really a problem on most Ap2 cars, just Ap1. Common fix was krank vents, but I believe they are no longer available.
Also, many Ap1 owners choose to replace their oil jet bolts if they have the older design.
Ap2 cars don't really have any problems that I know of aside from the tearing top.
