I wouldn't worry about it too much on the car.

In motorcycles, where break in is more crucial due to tighter tolerances and 600cc cycles are putting out 120+ hp (that would be 400 hp for the S2000 if it had the same power/size ratio), there is considerable debate about best break in procedure. However, almost everyone agrees that multiple heat and cool down cycles are best. Just driving down the highway for 8 hours at a time is not as good as taking it out for multiple trips, first short then getting longer. Occasional quick runs up into the RPM is fine as long as you give the engine plenty of time to cool. Otherwise the excesive heat cuased by the friction of new parts whcih haven't been "smoothed" by use can cause piston ring warpage, or other bad things.

If you are really worried about it and have to pick it up that far away, I'd plan mulitple stops and open the hood to allow the engine to cool faster. Otherwise, just follow Hondas Recs on RPM's.

 

Thanks! I meant to say that the trip would only be 260 miles, seeing as how I am driving my trade-in up to the dealership. I must have been too tired to think! I am going to pamper my new car as much as possible. I appreciate the info/perspective.

 

Barry, sorry to hear it man, I have an 01' and it has run flawlessly. I took it to 9K a few times before the 600 mile mark and I run it relentlessly now. I feel as some of the others do that it was a flaw waiting to be uncovered. Lets be serious here for a second as well, not all stook owners are on this board, there are many that just buy the car for the way it looks and drive the sh*t out of it from moment one thinkin its the dealers problem if it breaks. I hate to say it, but that happens more than we realize. If there were a real problem with the "break-in" or the 01' engine, these jerks would have found it by now. Hope everything goes well for you. Oh, and one more thing... Try to get the dealer to have a NEW engine installed instead of rebuilding it. More than probably part of the reason you originally bought this car is because of the 9K redline, you don't want to be sweating every time you take her there do you? Insist on a NEW one.

Andrew

 

Well, I think the first thing is to get the problem diagnosed. If it is a bent valve, then I don't see where I have a right to insist on a new engine. If it is something more catastrophic like Jason Saini's scored #4 cylinder, then I'm sure Honda will supply a half block.

I think if I were AHM, I might just want the dealer to remove the engine and ship it back AS IS for their dissection, but that was not their call.

I'd be interested in the board's concensus on whether I should ask for a new engine, but my feeling is I want a GREAT RUNNING engine and then I want to buy the extended warranty to get a bit more protection.

If the car is out of service for an extended period of time, rather than "cash reimbursement" for loss use of the car, I'd rather see a longer warranty.

 

In the electronics world it is known as "infant mortality". Pending diagnosis....a fix may be better then a new engine. A new engine will result in mismatched serial numbers and a reduction in collector value (unless you fully document why the numbers vary). If it's major push for a new car not a new engine (if mileage isn't too high).

 

I hadn't thought of that. Thanks!


Mileage is 660 (now) and 650 when problem began. After the noise started, I just drove it to the dealer (eight miles) and home (two miles).

That's something to think about. This is our seventh Honda since 1986 so AHM might go the extra mile for us.

Anyway, I'm hoping it is something very fixable. I should know in a couple days.

 

Sorry to hear about the car Barry. Good luck with it all.

 

Sorry Barry, I was under the impression that it was a major problem. I certainly wouldn't expect AH to replace it over a small problem, but on a larger problem...yes. I do not want ANY Honda dealer mechanic rebuilding my engine! Sorry, but I have little faith in Honda dealership mechanics. Now if were talking BMW the story would be different. I was also under the impression, since you take great care with your car, that you were going to keep it, therefore making the numbers thing not such a big deal. At any rate, I really hope it works out well for you...this is everyones nightmare. Did I make you feel better? Sorry.

 

We went up and down this road with our car... We wanted a new engine. We thought it would be easier on the dealer to replace the long block. But it's just not possible. Honda replacement parts only offers a head assembly and a block assembly. I spent HOURS on the phone with Honda of America trying to understand why they couldn't just get a long-block off the production lines and redirect it to our dealer. The rep was extremely nice to me and stayed after-hours while he explained that warranty work must be completed using the standard Honda replacement parts channels. Because they only have a part number for the block, that's all they can do.

He assured me that Honda techs would never 'rebuild' an engine (meaning re-hone cylinder bores.) If something is wrong with a piston or bore they replace the whole bottom end. I had concerns with them re-torquing the head and re-setting the timing chain. But we have almost 200 miles on the car and everything seems OK. It will go to the dyno once properly broken-in to verify that we didn't lose any power in the process.

As a side note on getting an entirely new car, it ain't gonna happen. The third person with the engine trouble is not on the board here. I found her on another board, and she is determined to get a new car due to the mis-matched serial number issue. Her car had 1200 miles on it when the problem surfaced. They aren't budging with her... And I can assure you there are no legal battles with HONDA that can be won. They are fulfilling the terms of the warranty by replacing the bottom end. The only explanation they have for the mis-matching VINS is that you will have documentation in the future as to *why* the numbers don't match. That's the best you'll get from them.

In the end I was very happy with the customer service. They stood their ground, but did a very dilligent job of making me feel comfortable that they were doing the best possible job they could. Is the repair exactly what I would have wanted? No. Am I happy with how the whole situation was handled? Yes. Bottom line is there is still a warranty, so if something more goes wrong they will be liable. Once again, Barry... good luck with your car. Keep us all posted.

 

I appreciate all the shared experience and support on the board. I am confident the dealer will make it right. If I come out of the deal with my S2000 working fine, that's all that matters.

About July we had a rumor circulating on www.honda-acura.net that the MSRP was going to be $38,000 for MY2001. At that time I had a $500 deposit for a MY2001 at MSRP. I worried and almost called the dealer to whine about it and in the end I did nothing and forgot about it and when the MSRP was essentially unchanged in MY2001 I laughed at myself for worrying over nothing.

I think this is a similar situation. It's a thing that broke and we'll get it fixed and it will cost someone something but hey, that's life. The second law of thermodynamics rules. There's no escape, only acceptance.

I'll post news as soon as I get it.