Continued from: https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...?threadid=49224

The little stamped steel pickup that can be changed quite easily:



The fluid levels at rest, remember this is before the system is filled (main and countershafts with pressure)and of course not cornering . . .
Top line is the fill level, at the bottom of the filler bolt. Bottom line is the pickup opening.


This is where I mounted my pressure sensor



Another angle from inside for the sensor mount

 

Here is my fix for the oil pump





The green arrow points to where air would first become a problem
Blue lines are levels compared to the photo above
Red lines would be approximate safe levels when cornering(to the left)
approximate because I dont know the volume of the reserve at speed

 

As a prospective owner, I'm very interested in the research you're doing. I don't understand all the details but I'm reading the following conclusions into what you've presented so far:

1. Unless the S2000 is driven in a straight line at speeds under 50 mph, the transmission can experience a chronic shortage of lubrication.
2. As the average speed increases or is sustained for longer periods of time, this shortage becomes more acute and critical.
3. As the road takes on more bends or more changes in elevation, also then the shortage is more pronounced.
4. The result can be sudden catastrophic failure of the transmission or slow deterioration with a need for replacement arising no later than around 100,000 miles. This again will depend on each owner's individual circumstances.

Here are my questions:

1. Have I overstated the conclusions?
2. Will your findings be presented to Honda in some official way? After all the hard work you've done, you deserve the courtesy of an official reply that takes your research seriously.
3. What can current owners do? You describe a fix. Will owners have to tear down their transmissions to implement the fix?
4. Should prospective owners still be considering the S2000?

Thanks again for the effort you've put into this investigation.

 

I just spent 30 min replying only to have my comp lockup!

I will reply in more detail tomorrow, but to answer your questions:
#1 I would just say slightly mis-stated (I dont want misunderstandings)
#2 My findings will eventually be officially presented, maybe in the form of a lawsuit(I hope it doesnt come to that)
#3 The fix is simple for this oil problem, It does require a teardown of the transmission. While doing that the owner may consider a few other modifications, as I feel the original transmission is not refined enough.
#4 I cant advise prospective buyers, I can only present what I know. I dont know about newer models.

I cant believe Honda does not know about this situation, I can only think that Honda believes this is not a critical problem. My goal is to prove it is, I am disappointed in this car and dont feel I can trust it. However, I have had a lot of fun with it, and met lots of great people related to it.

You are right though, my findings need a short and sweet overview

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dierk
[B]As a prospective owner, I'm very interested in the research you're doing.

 

bump

 

For those following these tranny threads, I came up with a better fix than pictured above.

It basically sumps from the drain bolt through a filter and cooling system and back into the pump pickup.

Im still running on the OEM replacement tranny, overfilled by lifting the rear 1" at the diff. NO problems so far.
I believe the new tranny is the same as my first and second, it's just . . . well . . . how often do you get to run over 100mph for a day?

But anyway, as far as I can tell ALL S2000 tranny's have the intermittent problem. I still have no clue what they did in Europe.