Is a 2004-2005 S2000 doomed to have tranny issues?
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Indianapolis, IN
You've taken a tiny tidbit of information posted in a thread that goes back 6 to 7 years ago and brought it back to the surface and blown it out of proportion. If you are that concerned about the "problem", then don't buy an '04 or '05. The actual numbers of those S2000's that had the pop-out were few and NOT common. A TSB is NOT a recall on all VINs designated in it. It only means that those production numbers "might" suffer from the defect. The vast majority did not. Those who had a car with those VINs had to prove it had the condition before Honda would do anything about it. Paranoid and compulsive/obsessive owners did everything they could to make the tranny pop-out so they could get the work done. (And yes, there is a way to make it happen. But you are basically damaging the tranny on purpose and committing fraud at the dealership.)
This has been discussed ad nauseum in the years since then. Honda took a sledge hammer approach to fix a problem that didn't need such an invasive solution. Many owners of S2000s with the pop-out simply used a mix of Amsoil MTF and Honda MTF on an annual basis to resolve the pop-out entirely. The rest understood why it did the pop-out and just "drove around it". I'm one of those who purchased such a transmission (brand new from the dealer) to put into my AP1. It had the pop-out right from day ONE. I use the fluid mix and it's been in my car for years. It either does it or it doesn't. It doesn't develop this pop-out over time by itself. The operator has to screw it up by not knowing how to shift or doing stupid things on purpose.
This is not much different than the mass hysteria of the day when the early AP1s had the clutch decel buzz. A few people freaked out over nothing and Honda had to come up with a TSB for it to appease the cry babies. Many owners understood what it was and they did absolutely nothing over the life of the clutch. Just a few people to freak out and all of a sudden, all AP1s should be avoided because of the potential for clutch buzz and all '04s and '05s should be avoided because the tranny will pop out of 1st and 2nd. We should probably tell everyone to avoid ALL S2000s as we know how weak the diffs are, don't we? Oh, and that horrible acceleration vibration on ALL S2000s when the CV buckets pit. And let's not forget about the Timing Chain Tensioners. We know how all of them are junk and will eventually go, right?
This has been discussed ad nauseum in the years since then. Honda took a sledge hammer approach to fix a problem that didn't need such an invasive solution. Many owners of S2000s with the pop-out simply used a mix of Amsoil MTF and Honda MTF on an annual basis to resolve the pop-out entirely. The rest understood why it did the pop-out and just "drove around it". I'm one of those who purchased such a transmission (brand new from the dealer) to put into my AP1. It had the pop-out right from day ONE. I use the fluid mix and it's been in my car for years. It either does it or it doesn't. It doesn't develop this pop-out over time by itself. The operator has to screw it up by not knowing how to shift or doing stupid things on purpose.
This is not much different than the mass hysteria of the day when the early AP1s had the clutch decel buzz. A few people freaked out over nothing and Honda had to come up with a TSB for it to appease the cry babies. Many owners understood what it was and they did absolutely nothing over the life of the clutch. Just a few people to freak out and all of a sudden, all AP1s should be avoided because of the potential for clutch buzz and all '04s and '05s should be avoided because the tranny will pop out of 1st and 2nd. We should probably tell everyone to avoid ALL S2000s as we know how weak the diffs are, don't we? Oh, and that horrible acceleration vibration on ALL S2000s when the CV buckets pit. And let's not forget about the Timing Chain Tensioners. We know how all of them are junk and will eventually go, right?
2. Having an 04 for nearly 3 yrs. that I nearly didn't buy b/c of the "notchiness" going into 2nd and 3rd, this thread was giving me "pause."
3. I can work around the issue, when I sell the car, it will be an issue, I'm sure. Perhaps I'll keep it so long that I'll just give it to one of the kids, ha!
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3.
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Billman checked my 04 nfr by keeping it in 2nd gear and getting up to redline and letting the engine brake itself. not then or ever since ive driven it has it popped out of any gear. i did replace my tranny fluid when i purchased it with 92000 miles put clutch and clutch fluid are original. ( maybe times to change, Billman where you At!! ) ^_^
Joined: Aug 2012
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To the OP, you will find like I did that S2000 owners are very passionate about their ride, and there is probably no one more passionate and knowledgable than xviper. Plus he has been around forever so he's like the Godfather.
That passion sometimes manifests itself as feeling personally insulted at the mention that there could be something wrong with these awesome cars. I see that at least in part as trying to protect the S2000's rep. We don't want rumors to turn into rep. So when you ask about a 'problem', it automatically kicks in peoples defensive responses. When you then tangle with the xviper, you then kick in everyones defense mechanisms.
I see your side as well. You really just wanted to know the answer to your question. Don't take it personally. You are like the new guy in the prison cell. xviper will beat you up today, to make sure you know your place, then once you establish yourself, he will be defending you if someone new comes along trying to mess with you.
So don't make it worse on yourself, take your beating quietly, buy an S2000, join our ranks, and you won't regret it.
That passion sometimes manifests itself as feeling personally insulted at the mention that there could be something wrong with these awesome cars. I see that at least in part as trying to protect the S2000's rep. We don't want rumors to turn into rep. So when you ask about a 'problem', it automatically kicks in peoples defensive responses. When you then tangle with the xviper, you then kick in everyones defense mechanisms.
I see your side as well. You really just wanted to know the answer to your question. Don't take it personally. You are like the new guy in the prison cell. xviper will beat you up today, to make sure you know your place, then once you establish yourself, he will be defending you if someone new comes along trying to mess with you.
So don't make it worse on yourself, take your beating quietly, buy an S2000, join our ranks, and you won't regret it.
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,655
Likes: 171
To the OP, you will find like I did that S2000 owners are very passionate about their ride, and there is probably no one more passionate and knowledgable than xviper. Plus he has been around forever so he's like the Godfather.
That passion sometimes manifests itself as feeling personally insulted at the mention that there could be something wrong with these awesome cars. I see that at least in part as trying to protect the S2000's rep. We don't want rumors to turn into rep. So when you ask about a 'problem', it automatically kicks in peoples defensive responses. When you then tangle with the xviper, you then kick in everyones defense mechanisms.
I see your side as well. You really just wanted to know the answer to your question. Don't take it personally. You are like the new guy in the prison cell. xviper will beat you up today, to make sure you know your place, then once you establish yourself, he will be defending you if someone new comes along trying to mess with you.
So don't make it worse on yourself, take your beating quietly, buy an S2000, join our ranks, and you won't regret it.
That passion sometimes manifests itself as feeling personally insulted at the mention that there could be something wrong with these awesome cars. I see that at least in part as trying to protect the S2000's rep. We don't want rumors to turn into rep. So when you ask about a 'problem', it automatically kicks in peoples defensive responses. When you then tangle with the xviper, you then kick in everyones defense mechanisms.
I see your side as well. You really just wanted to know the answer to your question. Don't take it personally. You are like the new guy in the prison cell. xviper will beat you up today, to make sure you know your place, then once you establish yourself, he will be defending you if someone new comes along trying to mess with you.
So don't make it worse on yourself, take your beating quietly, buy an S2000, join our ranks, and you won't regret it.
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Joined: May 2009
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From: Indiana
1) Change your trans fluid every 10-15k, no later.
2) In the morning or whenever you do a cold start, row through every gear twice before you move.
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Joined: May 2010
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Originally Posted by Fuman' timestamp='1361234359' post='22346311
Have a 2006 but I do find getting into 2nd gear rather hard, especially when the transmission is cold.
The remedy that I use when the transmission is cold, is to start in 2nd until the transmission warms up.
The remedy that I use when the transmission is cold, is to start in 2nd until the transmission warms up.
1) Change your trans fluid every 10-15k, no later.
2) In the morning or whenever you do a cold start, row through every gear twice before you move.
Will try #2 though! Thanks
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Fort Lauderdale
A $1k repair on a 10 year old car is hardly what I'd call expensive. Heck, a set of Michelin PSSs will run you nearly that much.
(Don't even ask what parts cost for the Porsche....a $1k tranny is positively cheap as far as I'm concerned.)
(Don't even ask what parts cost for the Porsche....a $1k tranny is positively cheap as far as I'm concerned.)
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Joined: Jul 2009
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Originally Posted by ShortShift' timestamp='1360474669' post='22326866
Point is, it's an expensive item to have to replace.
(Don't even ask what parts cost for the Porsche....a $1k tranny is positively cheap as far as I'm concerned.)
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 238
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From: Sebring Silver Spring, MD
Sorry for dumb question,
Since I got my AP2 in 04, i developed a habbit of rowing shift to the 2nd gear shortly before rowing to the 1st gear when standing.
(because it is notchy to row into the 1st gear directly)
Would this cause more wear on the 2nd gear syn? (Although the car is not moving?)
*I did get the 2nd gear-popping-out TSB fix in 04. And sometimes the shifter does not engage to the 2nd gear in first try recently*
Since I got my AP2 in 04, i developed a habbit of rowing shift to the 2nd gear shortly before rowing to the 1st gear when standing.
(because it is notchy to row into the 1st gear directly)
Would this cause more wear on the 2nd gear syn? (Although the car is not moving?)
*I did get the 2nd gear-popping-out TSB fix in 04. And sometimes the shifter does not engage to the 2nd gear in first try recently*