Hi folks,

Your friendly moderator here with a cautionary tale and a vent of frustration...

I've just read up on another owner who probably damaged his engine from low oil (see https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=404554).

Owners of pre MY04 cars (original AP1), pay attention!!!! Your engines burn oil. This is normal. If you don't check your oil level between oil change intervals, you will likely cause damage.

So, please, for heaven's sake... CHECK YOUR OIL at every fillup or so. If you don't, don't say I didn't warn you!

While you're at it, read your owner's manual (again).

 

And check your tire pressures every month or so too.

 

then hopefully we wont get anymore threads of my car is pulling to the left really bad. resulting in low tire pressure

 

. . . and relax your grip and slow your shifts.

 

Simple question: why does our car burn oil?

I've always been told that burning oil is bad.

 

Time was, you always checked your oil at a fill up. Make it a habit and you'll never be sorry!

The engine burns oil as part of the lubrication of the engine, but it shouldn't be excessive.

 

The oil consumption was common on AP1 (2000-2003 model years).

You won't hear of too many oil consumption cases on AP2 (2004+ model years).

Regardless, you should make a habit of checking the oil after every fuel fill-up just in case. Its even stated in the owner's manual



But to answer your question, excessive oil burning is a problem. However, I'm not convinced that the s2000 has an oil burning problem. It has an "oil consumption" problem that was addressed by the later model years. I think that the probelm is caused by oil blow-by rather than it burning off. Some people have installed an oil catch can with success to collect the excess oil.

 

I was also surprised by the S2000's appetite for oil. Most modern Japanese cars I've owned burn no oil between oil changes.

A lot has to do with the way we folks drive the S2000... Making the engine scream to redline multiple times a week (or even day)... It's a different beast from the other Japanese 4-bangers I've owned.

That said, the point I wanted to make is that by reading about my car on this forum, and by studying the owner's manual, I knew I had to keep an eye on the oil. After a few fuel stops during break in, I knew it required careful attention.

It's not a problem, really. It's the way the AP1 engines are. You just have to pay attention to it.

 

No oil burn here whatsoever on AP1, but check it regularly just in case so you'll be safe. You don't want to run on a low oil level and VTEC is also operated by oil pressure!

 

Lionheart, very important point ... Let me clarify my use of AP1 to simply say pre-MY04 motors:

It's my understanding that after 2003, while Europe and Far East continued to get 2.0L engines, the new manufacturing technique for boring the cylinder walls was employed on *both* 2.2 and 2.0L versions of the engine. I don't exactly know when this new technique cut in, but it was around then.

So.... Yes, you have an AP1 motor, but it was manufactured after MY 2003. That is why you don't have much / any oil burn.

Darn right, though, it's always good to keep an eye on it -- and it's CRITICAL for pre MY04 engines.