Hmmmm. Do you know if by "engine replacement" they meant a "short block" replacement? Do you know if the symptom was an engine noise? Do you know anything about what they found?

Barry

 

I was concerned about the longevity of an engine that redlines at nine grand when I purchased the S2K. I called the midwest Honda Regional office when I heard of these engine failures, naturally they pleaded ignorance. However, it appears through these posts that many of out members drive these cars to the LIMIT (BIG TIME). Could this contribute to these failures? How many of the members who suffered engine failures were living on the red line, popping clutches at 6 grand etc. Better yet, how many members live on the red line with no problems? What bothers me about this failure, I don't see any way of predicting this, or a cause other than a factory defect. It's time for Honda to spill the beans! Still Love the car!


MY 2001 Silver/Black S2K
MY 1986 Red 911 Cab (18,854 Miles)

 

While stressing the engine up to its design envelope's edges will definitely affect the engine's longevity, many of the engines in the group I'm tracking (developed a tap tap tap that sounded like valve train noise and ended up needing a replacement short block) were not stressed.

My engine failed at 650 miles. It had seen red line a couple times, but never rev limiter. It had not been raced or stressed. It spent most of its 650 miles in the 3,000 to 5,000 rpm area with only occasional visits above 6,000 rpm during the 590 mile to 650 mile period. I got the car with 18 miles on the clock and drove it like I wanted to keep it forever, which I do.

Barry

 

Spill the beans???

That will never happen.

 

So we have 7 engine failures from apporximatly 1,000 random S2k owners. That is less than 1% failure rate. I expected there to be a few problems/quarks with this engine.

I think Honda needs to take a closer look at the manufacturing process of their short block. We have seen this scoring and porus block problems.

Im not saying go for Six Sigma or anything but still.
Or is it that we just are seeing way more than we ever used to see. Think about it. If you didnt have the net how many blown engines would you know about?! 0 im guessing!(unless you were the one who it blew on)

 

Barry, I have been reading and rereading this post thinking about my engine failure. Firstly, after recalling the events that led up to my problem, I DO recall a tap tap sound prior to the clanking noise I heard. I recall you driving straight to the car dealership upon hearing the noise, however, I was several miles away from home and had to drive home before it got towed. I would almost guarantee that I suffered the number 4 cylinder problem, but a more extreme case of it. The consequences of driving a few more miles with the tap tap sound probably didn't help the situation either, which caused me to inform you guys that I heard the noisy clanking/rattling sound from the cylinder walls second after the initial tapping sound. But I can say that the #4 cylinder failure has NOTHING to do with the way the car was driven. I had babied my car for the first 1000 miles before going WOT and the car has never suffered 6K rpm clutch launches or any extreme abuse related to racing it. For all those worried out there, IMHO, I would attribute the problems to some faulty tolerances to a few of the engines from Honda rather than driver error.

 

wtromb,

My car was properly broken in and although I certainly experienced the joys of VTEC I didn't drive my car "to the LIMIT (BIG TIME)." The car was not modified or autocrossed.

I am guilty of not checking my oil at each fill up.

 

Just read your post,I am new member.
Damn, this is creepy!!
My 2000 s2k had engine failure @ 3,200 miles in Nov., 2000.
It was the wrist pin on the #4 cylinder and Honda did replace the short block. I was never happy w/ that resolution and fought and fought for a new car. My vin's don't match and that's not ok!
After Mid Atlantic zone mgr. denied my request, I went to Pres. Amemiya in CA then to Pres. Yoshino in Japan, THEN to 9 top Honda Execs. in Japan, Mr. Uehara (design engineer),NC Dept. of Justice, my state senator,BBB Auto Line mediation AND the top 10 institutional shareholders of Honda stock. Today, Doug Hellmer, Nat'l. Consumer Affairs Manager of American Honda called to inform me Honda is going to replace my car. Unfortunately, a siverstone/black 2000 cannot be found so they are going to get me a 2001.I really wanted the first year but decided that this is the best it's going to get. Has anybody else fought the same fight? If so, were you successful?
My concern after reading your post is the number of times this has happened to other owners and that most were 2001 model year. I don't know if I have the stomach to possibly deal w/ this another time. Anybody have any pearls of wisdom on the subject??
Anybody need names, numbers, stats., to fight w/ Honda...I have and will be happy to share.
lisa
charlotte, nc
2000 s2k (for now) silverstone metallic/black

 

Daaaaaaamn.... you go Lisa!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by s2klisa
[B]Just read your post,I am new member.
My vin's don't match and that's not ok!

...Today, Doug Hellmer, Nat'l. Consumer Affairs Manager of American Honda called to inform me Honda is going to replace my car.