I purchased an S2000 (2000 model) in May of 2004 with 22,000 miles on it. I now have 31,000, mostly highway driving.

I've noticed since about 28,000 miles, if I drive it moderately hard, I've been burning oil.

I burn about a quart and a half of oil in the last 3000 miles.

IF driven conservatively, it doesn't seem to burn oil.

Is this normal oil consumption? Do I have a problem that's common to this model?
Has Honda had a service bulletin or a call-back or secret warranty for this problem?

Solutions?? Cures?? What do you guys think?

George S.
Detroit

P.S. By the way, this is the best sports car I've ever owned. I particularly like the early models' "mechanicalness".

 

What you have experienced is not uncommon and is not considered a problem. The harder you drive your model year of car, the more oil it can consume. If it ever gets to the point of using a qt. in less than 1000 miles, you may have reason to be concerned, or if it starts to blow smoke continuously. Till then, keep checking the oil level and keep it at the proper level.

What kind of oil grade are you using. The recommended is 10W30 but some people in hotter places use 10W40. If you use a thinner oil (not recommended unless you operate the car in extreme cold climates), it can go through it more rapidly.

Oil usage has also been known to taper off after the first 15K miles or so and then mysteriously get worse again later on and then taper off again.

 

VTEC does eat oil...I believe in the owners manuel it states to check your oil level at each fill up just to be sure the oil is alright. So the harder you drive the more likely your car will eat some oil, the more conservative you drive the less likely. Enjoy your car!

 

Hi mate
No problem at all. The f20c engines drink oil especially in the vtec. I am fortunate to know a few people that tune and race DC5s and AP1s over here in the uk for a living. They suggested to me to use Castrol RS 10-60 in my s2k. This oil sticks to the engines insides more during vtec pulls. Since using this oil I have noticed the oil consumption is not as much and the engine performs better!
Oh and always remember to keep the oil level at Full at all times. And check it regularly. If the oil light comes on turn off ignition immediately!! I believe this means there is no oil pressure at all, and the engine will go bang!
Not sure if you can get that oil over there in the states but you will be able to get a good quality equivalent.
Hope this helps?!?

 

He lives in Detroit. He is most likely not tuning his car or running his car like a "race car". I would highly recommend AGAINST using a grade of oil like 10W60 or even anything near that viscous, especially to try to eliminate a situation (oil usage) that is not considered a "problem". Even with the recommended 10W30 oil, this car's lubrication system can generate in excess of 95 psi pressure. To put in something like 10W60 for a street driven car is shear folly. There is a high likelihood of diminishing the lifespan of all the seals, not to mention the greater chance of blowing one. Higher viscosity and/or lower oil consumption is not necessarily an indication of a better running S2000 engine.

 

if you say so.....
il pass the msg back to the honda team back here in the uk and suggest to then that they are wrong........
but hey, they only race hondas, they prob dont know what there on about

 

[QUOTE=B3N,Sep 11 2005, 01:39 PM] if you say so.....
il pass the msg back to the honda team back here in the uk and suggest to then that they are wrong........
but hey, they only race hondas, they prob dont know what there on about

 

Accecptable oil consuption rate is 1qt every 1k. ( for any Honda) It's also fairly common for oil consuption to increase with high RPM usage.

The engine can use oil at this rate and never have any blue smoke from the exhaust.

I wouldn't reccomend uisng a 10w60 in a street driven car, especially when 10w30 is the reccomended oil. Race cars operate is very different environments from a street car. Most pro-level road race cars have electric oil tank warmers that pre-heat the oil before the engine is even started.

If the engine does start consuming oil at a unacceptable rate, your oil change records will come under scrutiny. You wouldn't want the warranty claim denied because you where using the wrong weight oil would you?

 

what does 1qt equal on the dipstick? one tick?

 

actually i think the "LOW" mark is 1 qt low. someone confirm this (or refute it).