So after looking for about 2 weeks I found a great example, silver 2004 with 27,000 miles on it. It's in immaculate condition, looks almost brand new. It was owned by a doctor who hardly used it, and really cared for it. Looking in the service book though, it's only got 3 service stamps in it. The last service was done last year almost a year ago.

The car is now 10 years old, so I'm wondering if the dealer would have changed fluids properly due to the cars age, or ignored them as it has only done 27k miles. The engine oil, even though almost a year old, it still full up and yellow golden, looks brand new. Either way I want to change fluids on the car just because that's what we do. I've spent quite a few nights browsing the forum and various topics, and lots of people have lots of different opinions. Being a newbie S owner, I have some questions and would appreciate some answers (or pointing to existing threads) from existing owners. There are lots of threads relating to my questions, but I'm so busy with work at the moment and have found a lot of different opinions during the short reading I've done. Here goes:

1) There's a slight clunk when engaging 1st gear from a standstill, for example from neutral into 1st when the lights go green. This happens about 50% of the time and happened on the other S I test drove a few weeks back. Is this normal or something that needs attention. It's a very light clunk, but you can just feel it.

2) Shifting into 3rd from 2nd is very notchy, especially when cold. When the gearbox is 110% warmed up it's almost gone. Is this normal when cold, and will a transmission fluid change help?

3) Reverse isn't easy to get into, it's harder than any car I've owned. I saw a thread about lubing up the shifting mechanism, an wondering if it could help. Car has such low mileage, but is 10 years old.

4) I was hoping it would sound more willing when it revved from 6k through to 9k. I come from a Subaru STI which felt and sounded so smooth all the way to the red line. The S just feels/sounds almost like it's struggling to breath. I've read that it has a fairly unrestrictive cat. Does changing the standard induction to a CAI help her breath a little better? I would like it to sound a bit more sporty, but I really like the look of the standard exhaust.

5) Remote locking. The car doesn't flash any lights or make any noises when I lock or unlock it with the remote. Quite strange I thought, the only way to know it's locked is to try the handle and see. Normal?

6) Fluid wise, I read that Honda MTF is what is to be used in the gearbox. With regards to the diff, I've heard stories where CRV fluid was used incorrectly by dealers etc. I browsed a few diff threads and got lost in all the fluid talk. What is the correct diff fluid to purchase?

7) Fluids again, engine oil. I see it wants 10W30. I plan to track the car 2 - 3 times a year. It does not get very cold her in South Africa, the coldest it gets is 45F and on a hot day it'll get up to 100F outside. Would my best bet be some synthetic 10W40, or is some synthetic 10W30 alright even if I plan to track it occasionally?

I don't have the manual, it was forgotten at the previous owner's house when I collected the car yesterday. I'll pick it up on the weekend.

I've only had it a day and already love it.

 

Congrats and welcome!

I believe 1 and 2 are quite common. I have the transmission clunk as well, on occasion, and its usually if I am slowing down to a lower gear or even speeding up. Believe it is just the inertia of the moving parts. The transmission can be notchy or grind at times when cold. A warm transmission shouldn't give you any issues.

Can't say much about 3 as I don't have any issues. Are you pushing down on the shift lever before pushing into the reverse gate? Our reverse has a lockout so that you don't inadvertantly shift into reverse when looking for 4th or 6th gear.

As for 4, you should notice a difference when engaging VTEC. Have you replaced the air filter? That should be your first stop. From there I would do some maintenance on the intake system before changing out parts. With OEM parts, the car should still come to life when you hit VTEC. I would start doing some standard maintenance first and see if that helps. Any CELs being thrown?

5 is strange - do you know if the car has an aftermarket alarm, or did at some time? It should flash the turn signals when the car is locked or unlocked when pressing the key fob. It should also honk if you hit the lock button twice.

As for fluids, check this out: https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/358...-oil-journals/
It will give you all the information you need on what type of fluids to use.

Again, welcome!

 

Thanks for the input and warm welcome

Once properly warmed up the gearbox feels great, really notchy and roughish when smooth. My old STI was the same. Will change gearbox fluid anyway.

I'll check the airfilter, I think it was changed last year and has hardly been driven since it was replaced. That's what I was told, but will have a look when I leave work shortly. No CELs or anything like that, was just expecting it to sound and feel more willing/easy breathing.

Car has the standard alarm and there are no flashing lights when I lock or unlock. I'm going to ask my mate this evening who also has one and see what his does.

That's a great fluid thread, thank you.

 

you should probably get a valve adjustment.

as for the oil, thats a personal choice. Read Bob is the oil guy and make your own decision on what to run.

Do the axle nut re-torque.

welcome to the s2000 obsession. any and everything that is a common problem or pre flight checks for this car has been covered. S2Ki will be your most useful tool.

 

see my comments below in red

 

welcome to the forums and to owning an s...

the car is amazing and you will enjoy it...ive had some similar issues with the 2-3 shift...like you are hitting something going past the gate...mine is like that more so when its warm than when its cold..no one can exactly say if its a problem or not...gonna have it checked out by a shop anyway though...as for the clunk going into first..mine does it as well and im sure most do it also

 

I just picked up my MY00 S2K a few weeks ago with 100K on it. I noticed shifter "notchiness" between 2-3, as well. A tranny fluid change with the Honda MTF made it much better, but I think I still need to do the shifter re-grease thing, like you mentioned. I'm hoping this will also help with shifting into reverse, as I have some notchies doing that, too.

For the clunk in 1st gear, I agree with those above to try the axle nut torque fix first. Its free and relatively easy to do if you have the correct tools. This is next on my ToDo List!

Welcome!

 

Press the lock on the remote twice in quick succession, it should beep the horn and flash the lights.

 

I've got the manual now and it seems that my S will not flash any lights or honk the horn when I lock or unlock unless the car came with a factory alarm. Obviously mine didn't, so the only way to know if the doors have locked it to listen for the lock movement, or to physically check if they are locked by pulling the handle.

Went for my first 'proper' drive on Friday night. As luck would have it, on the way home on about 3 miles of beautiful twisty road, a Carrera 4S appeared in front of me and tried to disappear, but I was on his tail the whole way. Obviously the driver wasn't very skilled, but he was trying very hard and he couldn't lose me. Gave me instant respect for the S.

I removed the airbox top cover temporarily, for some fun and to hear how it sounds. I'm aware of the obvious heatsoak issues etc. The car sounds like I hoped it would now, and that VTEC changeover can be heard properly now. Time for a CAI at some point.

With the airbox top off, there's a noticeable drone now, sounds like a pump or fan type noise. It's only audible when the airbox top is off. I was trying to figure out what the noise was, and put my ear near the cone filter and that's where it comes from. What is it, definitely sounds like some sort of pump?

 

The "hum" with the airbox lid off is normal. You're now hearing induction noise that is otherwise muffled by the lid. And congrats, you'll get to love this car more in time, I assure you...