I drove a 2000 s2000. With the top down, everything went fine. When i put the top up with the windows up, something wierd happened. In any gear, when i'm in gear and let off the gas..it sounds like the exhaust is rattling. Or somethign back there makes a wierd rattle or some kind of weird noise. sounds like exhaust rattle though. When the top is down, i cna't hear it. I was wondering if it was taht differiential s2k owners were tlaking about. Is that it? If so, how much does it cost to fix or replace? I'm looking at a 2000 with 44,xxx miles for 18,500 already negociated.

If any of you can help me asap, please post. I hope to join this great forum soon.

 

anyone please?

 

Maybe you have an exhaust leak or something? That has pretty low miles on it. Have you done a carfax report on it? What did that tell you about the car? What has the current owner disclosed to you thus far? Any accidents? We need more information.

 

This might sound stupid, but make sure the passenger seatbelt isn't rattling against the top hardware or interior. This happens very frequently in my car and could easily be mistaken for a bizarre rattle elsewhere.

The differential while make a whine, not usually a rattle.

The clutch (if original) will rattle / buzz (on decel), but this is completely normal.

 

that both sounds just about right. I hear a whine/rattle. i really can't explain it pinpoint. I hope it's the clutch since i will be changing it out anyways. It's only when in gear and letting off the gas, then pressing the gas back in, it goes away. it just doesn't give that clean exhaust tone that i heard in another s2k. It know it's not normal. hmm. So the differntial whine..when should this occur? I don't think it should occur what i'm explaining.

carfax was clean as a whistle. Only problem was two owners.

 

Some whine from the gears / diff is normal, it's a sports car without a lot of sound deadening and you're basically getting cozy with the drivetrain when you're sitting in the car. If you can't hear it with the top down, it's no worse than mine or anyone elses i've ridden in.

Unless you can feel some serious driveline slack or the whine is really loud, I wouldn't worry about it.

You can get a new diff for $1350 (with upgraded housing and gears (add $1000 if your core isn't rebuildable)). If you're just looking for a rebuild, it'd be much less expensive. That being said, with that amount of miles, I doubt you need a new diff unless it wasn't properly maintained.

 

im about to pick mine up as well today, i noticed ALOT more noises then i get in my ep3. you hear lots of rock and stuff gettin thrown up by the tires, kinda freaked me out at first, i also noticed that the engine/trans is alot louded (but sounds good) im in love!!!

excited ^_^

 

Another thing to check is that the spare tire is properly snugged down with its wing nut in the trunk. That potentially could sound like a rattle.

Y'know, it *could* be the diff, but if you know a mechanic who's familiar with the S in your area, it might be worth having him (or someone from your regional s2ki club) drive with you and get an opinion.