is there an HONDA OEM differential fluid for the S2000? What do dealerships use in the US? Is there a part number for it?

It seems that dealerships here use other brands (castrol, shell, ect) ... I'm a bit confused on this.

 

No, there isn't. I don't know about Honda USA, but Honda Canada sent a notice to all dealers here to use the hypoid gear oil GL-5 from Honda Motorcycle division:

 

AFAIK All hypoid oil (any that I've come across anyway, irrespective of brand) uses sulphur compounds to cope with the high pressures. This makes the oil smell "sulphurous" (like "bad eggs"). Smell the old oil residue on the stripped out diff parts. If it doesn't smell like this its the wrong oil at fault IMO.

 

True this. ^

Unfortunately, with any fluid change, there will be enough residual old fluid left behind that can still transfer that smell. Granted, it won't be as strong, but for someone who has never smelled it, it may not be that conclusive.

 

Quick question, and I don't mean to piggy back on this thread, but it's about the same issue: how much of a whining is normal? I have been in quite a few S2000's and they all whine disregarding mileage or age of the car. I recently noticed that mine has a minor, soft whining with the windows up and the radio off (as someone previously mentioned). The whining is speed dependent and not rpm dependent, and it can only be heard under acceleration or while maintaining a constant speed while still gasing the car. If left in neutral, I can hear a different type whining as the car slows down, which I'm assumign comes from the tires or any other rotational part. In case this thread is not being reviewed very often, I think I will also create a thread of my own about my concern. Thanks

Etien

 

^ Can you provide a link to your thread, as I'm experiencing a similar problem.

Tiny high pitch whirring sound on acceleration above 4k rpm - gets higher pitched (but not louder) w/ increase acceleration to higher rpms -- almost like a supercharger whining up, but my car is NA.

Also, on deceleration between 4-5k rpm (usually in 3rd gear), I have this weird noise its like someone is shaking a jar of marbles but it only occurs at that rpm range - heat shield loose?

Maintenance history - I change my diff fluid Spring of every year since I got my car brand new, it has 42k KM (so that's 27k miles) w/ Honda's recommended diff fluid (the hypoid gear oil)

Driving history - the car sees 2 lapping days and 1 auto-x per year) and I DON'T do stuff like high rev clutch dumps or doughnuts in the parking lot.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Are you getting any vibration in the car???

 

if the above was directed at me... no, my car doesn't have any unusual vibrations.

mind you one thing I did forget to mention was that I haven't driven my car on a regular basis in the last 4 months (one spot in my condo and for practicality purposes, i park mine at a relative's house and use my wife's car as a daily beater) so I only get to drive it once or twice a week putting on 50 mi. in a weekend at most.

not sure if this would play into things.

i guess i'll do more driving tonite as well and find out more now that the weather has warmed up quite a bit.

 

hyper & 03S2kStud - Honestly, all stock s2k have diff whine.
When diff has a problem, it makes pretty loud whine which is very noticeble.


gerardog - same thing happpend to my close friend's S2k.
Mechanic put GL-4 fluid in his car.
After about 800miles, all fluid were burnt! and destoried diff.
I am VERY positive that you have the same case from judging this thread.

 

^ Thanks for the heads up. Too much reading is a bad thing. I don't think I've ever paid much attention to it until I was caught reading threads about diffs going bad.

So if the whine is not as loud as the engine, then I guess things are ok?

Btw, after driving a lot more last nite, the only time I hear any sort of whining is between 3.5k rpm to 5.5k rpm and it's most noticeable when I'm in 4th and 5th cruising and acclerating on the highway.