Hello all, u have probably had this topic before. I have an 04 s2k with about 80k miles on it. When it's cold or cold outside it will grind going into second gear. It's been doing it since about 55k. Because my car was a warm weather driver only, I never had it enough to really think it to be anything other than a grumpy ole sports car. Now I am driving it daily and I notice it a lot more. It seemed to go away when I had the trans fluid changed at about 65 k, but now it does it almost every morning, usually going away after a few miles of driving. I just did a clutch fluid change but it did it again just as I pulled out. Has anyone else had this? If the gear synchros were going out, wouldn't it do it all the time when going into second and not just on occasion and when it's cold? I have had it to 3 different shops and they all have suggested something different...but all costing$$$$. Thanks for helping out this newbie.

 

You're at 80000 and the gear lube was changed at 65000? Start there....

 

That's only 15k miles, how often should trans fluid be changed??

 

Change the tranny fluid, change the clutch fluid (very easy to do), check and adjust the clutch rod free play. There is a good chance these simple inexpensive items will solve your issue or make it improved at the very least. The tranny fluid tends to shear down around 7k-8k miles +, give or take, I change mine once a year but I don't put very many miles on it in a year. I would change the clutch fluid every 6 months, if you haven't done it for a while you should a couple short changes over the next couple months until it remains clean for a decent amount time.

 

I will do the tranny fluid is weekend and let you know. thanks everyone for your help. I must really be bad then because I have ab 01 civic with 200k that I have NEVER touched the tranny fluid on...just oil, tires, brakes and timing belt.

 

This tranny is more performance oriented than other Honda trannies, it is a bit sensitive to fluid viscosity and it shears down down fluid over time as the mileage increases. FWD cable shifted trannies don't seem as sensitive as the S2K tranny, you can shift them with your elbow and still hit the gate easily, lol.

The tranny fluid change is a great start but try to do the clutch fluid change and clutch rod freeplay adjustment in conjunction with the fluid change. A shifter lube maintenance would also be a great choice at that mileage as would be a slave cylinder piston lube. These are all items that can incrementally improve the shifting characteristic of the the tranny. My last recommendation is a nice weighted shift knob - ala Moddiction.

 

Trans fluid will 100% not help your problem.

Clutch fluid and adj is the way to go.

 

Ok, so I bled the clutch til it was clear and changed the trans fluid. No second gear grind. This is the most tempermental car I have ever owned.... . this may be resolved, thanks for the help! Now I'm going to post a new problem....

 

I don't think the s2000 is temperamental compared to other sports cars.

 

Oh, mine is a little persnickety at times. BUT I am not saying I don't love it. It's the only car I haven't fallen out of love with. I usually trade every 2 years, but after 6 + our affair still going strong. I wish I could say the same about my cbr..... LOL