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At about 10K miles I noticed what looked to be a leak at the front of the head. Not knowing what to expect I cleaned it with intention to check again. Now at 20K miles it sure looks to be leaking to me.. here is a pic of the front of the head:
On a visit to Austin I looked under the hood and found the same type of leakage on another S2000 (the owner didn't feel VTEC engagement) with about 30 K miles. Later I took a closer look at my own car and found the same leakage around the gasket. I plan on having the gasket replaced and the valves adjusted soon.
Originally posted by svann I plan on having the gasket replaced and the valves adjusted soon.
Not the cover gasket.. the head gasket? That is a non-trivial operation and I sure would want someone experienced to do it.. and only if absolutely necessary.
At least I know I am not the only one.. will check the torque.
Although it looks like a lot of oil seeping it is a very small amount that is normal. I have seen several S2000's with oil accumulation in the same spot. I don't think it will affect performance but you may have your dealer take a second look and get it document it in case of problems down the road.
Sounds like a head gasket leak to me. That's what was going on with my truck (making me pull the head and replace the gasket), though I was losing oil AND coolant that way. Keep an eye on fluids... if you don't have mixing and don't lose coolant, you should be OK in terms of performance and safety.
Those allen bolts don't look like they belong on a head/block seal, at least not that small. I'll check mine and the book when I get home and see if it mentions anything.
Originally posted by cdelena
I am very concerned at only 20K miles and with a number of warranty denials for what appear to be legitimate claims. I have no discernable fluid mixing or loss at this time but this is not what I expected in my top of the line Honda.
I agree, but have come to understand that with my driving Honda's are not what they used to be (or my driving is harsher than it was).
I'm not sure what motors you have built, but I've seen a LOT that weeped oil at the head... I chalked it up to poor design or factory installation. As for the S2, I have been VERY dissappointed in the number of problems people have had with the cars, but have chalked it up to a limited production (and thereby limited testing) vehicle that is usually pushed much harder than your average passenger car.
Back to the point... with the luck you've had with John Eagle I'd approach them. I agree that this should not be a problem, though most dealers might give you guff based on the mods and your driving/racing (if they know about it). Even so, I am still surprised a Honda gasket would leak.
How long had it been (time/miles) since you cleaned that spot last? What oil do you run (weight/brand)? I'd check torque, first, but I am not sure how to do it with that 20/90/90 spec... There should be a "check" spec for inspection.
This is not a head gasket problem. What you're looking at is oil weepage from chain galley. The front cover bolts onto the block and most likely someone in the assembly process didn't use enough Hondabond gasket material.
This is akin to the cam seal leakage on B18C engines in the mid 90s. It can be messy, but it is harmless. your engine will burn more oil between changes than it will ever seep from this leak (and BTW, if you don't clean it, it seems to stop leaking when enough dirt builds up :-). It should take the dealer all of 30 minutes to pull the cover, clean it and put new sealant on.
To lose a headgasket on modern Hondas is tough. They're multilayer steel and if you lose one, the damage to the engine is likely to be catastrophic.
Head gasket leak?
