Hey All,

I wanna introduce myself and want to thank everyone on this board for welcoming newbies like myself. I hope I will be able to contribute and share my knowledge when possible.


I Just got my s2k a couple of weeks ago and I think there's a problem. When the engine is below idle ((below 1000 rpm) an example would be not giving it enough gas in 1st gear) the engine compartment makes a weird loud cranking sound. This happens everytime the rpm gets below 1000. I'm wondering if this is a normal thing since s2k's make lots of weird noises or there's something terribly wrong with mine. Btw, it's an 00' with roughly 36k miles.

 

You're lugging the engine (not a good thing). If you're going to go that slow, push in the clutch and don't drive it at that low an rpm. Learn to engage and disengage the clutch to keep the car moving as needed at those speeds.

 

Thanks for your feedback. I understand that keeping the rpm above idle is ideal. What I'm worried about is that weird cranking noise. Is that normal? Does it happen to your s2k when it's below idle? Sorry if I'm being redundant, I'm just worried that the noise can be potentially bad in the near future.

 

The clanking sound is normal if you don't give it enough gas when hooking up the clutch in 1st gear. Don't worry. It's not just your car that does it. Just try to give it enough gas next time.

 

I take it you don't know what "lugging the engine" means. You are trying to make it move the weight of the car when it can't produce enough power at that rpm to do it. You are putting way more load on the engine than it can handle given the amount of power it can produce at any given rpm. It can't decide whether it should die or keep going. Lugging can destroy an engine in time, so don't do it anymore.
No, it's not normal. You can lug an engine at rpms other than below idle but below idle is when it is most easily done. I don't "drive" the car when the rpms are that low. Noone should.

You may find this helpful:
http://www.standardshift.com/faq.html

 

Thanks guys, I feel a lot better knowing that the cranking sound doesn't just happen to me. I think I'm going to take it to the dealer just to be safe.

xviper: thanks for the faq, I was real helpful.