Hello, I've been a long time viewer of this site, (First time posting)and have recently purchased a 2001 S2k with 68,xxx Miles on it. I've noticed that when i shift into third and fourth gears and let off of the gas there is a Grinding noise...??? Not sure weather it is the Transmission/Clutch or what if anyone has any ideas Please feel free to fill me in. Thanks Alot.

 

First off, if you are "upshifting" into those gears, I'm uncertain as to why you would be letting off on the gas. Aren't you in the process of going faster and not slowing down?
I'm going to guess that your description of "grinding" noise is a bit off and what you have is the clutch decel buzz that cars of your vintage seem to all have.
"Grinding" tends to happen at the moment the gearbox goes into a gear and not after you have done it and then let off the gas. Or am I not getting what you are doing in the correct time frame?

 

Sorry maybe I did'nt explain myself correctly. When im upshifting yes i do excellerate, but when i let off of the gas there is a Noise like its grinding or something sounds liek the transmission not sure though.

 

Ahh, I see. Then I shall reiterate my guess that you have the decel clutch buzz. To confirm and acentuate this, take it up to 3rd gear and about 5000 rpm when noone is behind you. Then let the gas off till the rpm goes down to about 2000. Do you hear this noise? You can also really make it do it in 2nd gear. Same thing, take it to about 5K rpm, let off till about 2K rpm.
If this is what I just indicated, then you may be able to get the TSB done for this by the dealer. They may give you a new clutch disc. It may not stop the noise for long but it will give you a new clutch. This is assuming the car is still in warranty. If it is not, then it will be up to your dealer to decide whether or not they wish to do a "good will" fix.

 

Does this hurt or damage the car in anyway? Thanks alot for the help Xviper!

 

Of course, there is still the possibility that you have a different issue BUT, if it is the clutch buzz, it is only noise and will do no harm to the operation of the car. The particular back-lash inherent in the transmission of your year of car initiates a harmonic vibration which is conducted through to the springs in the clutch disc. These springs begin to vibrate audibly and it is this vibration that you hear. The clutch TSB that Honda does supposedly puts in a revised disc with stronger springs but in most of the cars that has had this fix, the noise comes back months or even weeks later. I've had this buzz in my 3.5 year old car since day one and have done nothing about it. The car runs fine as far as the clutch and tranny is concerned.