I'm a new user and apologize if this has been covered to the bitter end.

I am looking at picking up a certified pre-owned with low mileage (<2000) that was originally purchased in June 02 and put back up for sale in dec 02.

My question is: Is the engine oil jet bolt a major issue that was upgraded for 2003 and retrofitted under recall for 2002, OR was it a just a "leave it to the owner" type thing. If I go used I just want to know if it's something that had to be done to prevent engine damage or just a precaution. I don't want to be an uninformed buyer esp since it's not brand new.

Thanks for your help.

 

It is something never even mentioned by AHM except for one engineer that posts here saying it was deemed not needed in North America.

All info we have came from Europe and with a few searches you will find all the speculation you can stand.

Since Honda felt it was important enough to do a recall in Europe and supercede the old bolts in production a number of us have taken it upon ourselves to upgrade our cars.

Obviously a "leave it to the owner" type thing.

 

Find out what the engine number is. According to the "mythology" of s2ki, engines made after engine # 1025386 have the new bolts.

Here is what little we know about the issue:
(1) AHM has not said it is necessary to do a recall to change from the old style two hole bolts to the new style four hole bolts.
(2) Honda in Europe has done a recall to change from the old to the new four hole bolts for all S2000s sold in Europe.
(3) Europe is the ONLY PLACE this has been done.
(4) Engines after 1025386 MY2002 have the new bolts.
(5) The two hole bolts are no longer available. If the two hole bolts were better in some situations and the four hole bolts better in others, and if an owner wanted to convert from the newer to the older, the owner COULD NOT buy the old style bolts from AHM. They are discontinued, no longer available, replaced with the newer ones.
(6) As far as I can tell, we don't yet have enough data on this board to know which one is better for us.
(7) At least one or two of the European cars involved in the recall had catastrophic engine failures after the bolt change and this was probably due to improperly installing the new bolts.
(8) Many of us believe the old style bolts might have contributed to the rare catastrophic failure of our engines but the only word we have about this from inside Honda is that this is not true.
(9) I asked my dealer to replace mine and they did it Monday 6 January '03 for $278.28 (including oil change, filter, and getting me an extra bolt.) The dealer asked the DSM if AHM would cover this and the DSM said no. I didn't even think of this and it was nice of the dealer to ask. The DSM and the dealer did not advise me either way about whether to do the "upgrade" and did say that if AHM ever did a recall, I would get some reimbursement.
(10) I now have four of the ORIGINAL CLASSIC DESIGN two hole oil bolts for sale, one new bolt included for comparison. Asking price: $278.28 plus shipping and insurance.

 

Thanks for the info.
Will keep you posted on my purchase.

 

Barry,

Any noticeable difference in the feel of the engine (not that I expect so)?

The dealer did it for under $300??? (that's not including the parts right?)

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Chazmo
[B]Barry,

Any noticeable difference in the feel of the engine (not that I expect so)?

The dealer did it for under $300??? (that's not including the parts right?)

 

I'll have to talk with my dealer about this. I figured at least $500. This doesn't sound too bad. Thanks, Barry!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Barry WY Silver/Black '01
[B]Find out what the engine number is. According to the "mythology" of s2ki, engines made after engine # 1025386 have the new bolts.

Here is what little we know about the issue:


(4) Engines after 1025386 MY2002 have the new bolts.


Barry, how good is that engine number info. I searched some old threads and just came up with other owners saying this is supposedly the switch over number. I have a 9xxx series engine I think. I say I think because it is very hard to see the nember and the shape of the 9 looks like script. At first I thought it might even be a 4, but I kept changing my angle and I am pretty sure it isn't. I'd rather not have to drop the oil pan to do this if I don't need to, but I'm not sure how else to make sure.

Thanks for any info.

Bill

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Legal Bill
[B]I don't know how good the 1025386 number is. Here's where the "fact" originates: Prolene posted this information in the thread cited below:

"Per vapors2k: As for the Cams, valvetrain, entire cylinder head assembly, it's exactly the same between the '00-'01-'02-'03. But the bottom end is what's different. The part # for '00-'01-'02 up to engine #1025386 for '02 model years uses short block assembly part # PCX-A04. After engine #1025386 in '02 and all '03 models, the short engine block assembly's part # was superceeded and used part # PCX-A05. We looked inside the engine for part #s and with the limited time I had, the pistons were identical, rods, pretty much everything except for these pesky oil jet banjo bolts.

So, my buddy and I speculated that the banjo bolts may be the reason for the HP gain, as they may increase lubrication and lower friction which does increase power. Believe it or not, he's done a few tests on engine oil differences and one oil did net an increase in power, only a few hp, but thats where we're talking about with the '00-'01 and '02s and soon to be '03s.

Per Prolene: I want those new oil bolts!"




https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...50&pagenumber=2

What is your date of manufacture? I think sometime in May or June 2002 the change was made.

I'll write more later.

I'm on my way home.

Barry

 

In the UK it was units prior to JHMAP11302T201494 that have old bolts but this tells you little about the NA units. If we can find the production date on this car we will probably have the month of the change over.