txst, THANK YOU! I didn't have AutoxEx's VIN# on the list until you noticed it. After your post, I went back and edited my post.

Barry

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by wtromb
[B]As for this break in oil nonsense. Get off of it. I was a Porsche/Volkswagen mechanic for ten years, and had numerous factory classes. I have a BS in Industry and Technology with a major in Automotive Engineering Technology, and I've never heard of

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by wtromb
As for this break in oil nonsense. Get off of it... I have a BS in Industry and Technology with a major in Automotive Engineering Technology, and I've never heard of

 

I think we also need to do the math. There are 1500 members here (the available pool) and probably 500 really active. The failure number increases greatly when you increase the pool to the actual number of S2K's (10,000 in the US alone.)

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by LATEOTT
[B] I know there has been continuing discussion about the "legend" of break in oil in the S2K.

 

I think I like you man

 

Keep me posted too, Wtromb. I agree that the main advantage of synthetic is improved performance at temps outside of the "standards" used to determine viscosity, and prolonged maintenance of the designated viscosity. I'm planning right now to change the oil at 1000 km (600 miles) but I was planning to stick with mineral oil until the engine has 5,000 miles on it.

Here's the updated summary of F20C piston/cylinder failures. The list stands at 8 confirmed failures with s2kfatty's problem still not definitely a problem.

This list excludes those members who have had short block replacements for other reasons such as "porous block" problems.

Barry...

SUMMARY OF F20C piston/cylinder failure information.
updated 2/22/01 0540 pst

(1) Zoinks, VIN#7115 MY2000. Failed 10/00, odometer 7450. tapping sound led to short block replacement. "bearing failed" as diagnosis.
(2) s2klisa. VIN# JHMAP1147YT008953. Built 06/00 Delivered 09/00 Failed 11/00 two days before Thanksgiving. 3,200 miles at failure. Confirmed #4 cylinder failure. had tapping sound from very beginning. #4 cylinder wrist pin failed, Honda told Lisa.
(3) Jason Saini, VIN#? MY2001 Delivered? Failed 12/00 at 2,200 miles. confirmed #4 cylinder failure. had tapping sound.
(4) Barry Wohl, VIN#JHMAP11491T000052.MY2001. Delivered 11/4/00. Failed 1/4/01 650 miles at failure. never low on oil. confirmed #4 piston/cylinder failure. had tapping sound.
(5) AutoxEx, 2,800 miles at failure MY2001. Had tapping sound and then made a loud noise and then failed. Failed 2/01. Diagnosis vague but likely piston/cylinder failure.
(6) kizneda, MY2001.JHMAP114X1T000044 Delivered 11/00
Failed 2/01. 2,900 miles at failure. #4 cylinder not confirmed. made tapping sound like #4 cylinder failures did.
(7) Rowland in New Hampshire MY2000 #8275 6,651 miles at failure. Manufactured 6/00. Delivered .. Failed 2/01. confirmed #4 cylinder. was not low on oil. had tapping sound.
(8) Elund, VIN#? MY2001. Delivered? Failed 2/01. 2,000 miles at failure. getting new short block. NOT confirmed #4 cylinder failure. had tapping sound.
(9) s2kfatty, VIN#5714 MY2000. Delivered? Failed 12/00 7231 miles. has tapping sound but may be normal. diagnosis pending.

Barry in Wyoming '01 #52

 

Re: "Break-in Oil"

This is just an FYI, I'm not trying to rankle any automobile professionals out there, just telling you what I was told:

I attended a "New owners seminar" recently at my Honda dealership, thinking I would become privy to interesting inside knowledge about the S2K, straight from the technician's mouths. I was wrong. It was simply a chance for the service department of the dealership to introduce themselves to new Honda owners, and in doing so, answer any owner questions about their new Hondas, regardless of which model they owned. I was the only S2K owner present.

They SPECIFICALLY made a point of discussing break-in oil, saying ALL new Hondas are equipped with it from the factory, and that this oil should be kept in the engine until the first scheduled oil change at 3750. This, they said, was a departure from the older practice of changing an engines' first oil at 600 miles or so. Tolerances are so much closer now than they have been in the past (they claim) that there's no longer a need to replace the oil because of excess metal fragments polluting it, as once was thought.

For what it's worth-

 

Duncan, that's consistant with what Honda's been saying at variouis levels (engineers, tech advisors, etc.).

 

guys...i'm posting for a friend...we lost his f20c engine a month ago and honda blamed it on oil starvation wich is a load of crap cause we check the level daily with no problems...so that's # 10 ( or so )lost motor! so after many deliberations and phone calls we got a new bottom end in the car...when it did go though it just sounded like a broken valve spring but they gave us a new bottom end. anyway we got it back and it's turbo charged now...but smokes betweeen shifts? please help us out i'ts killing us! we've thought of anything and everything...please HELP! mail me directly at Pete@hotmail.com