Expected Engine Life
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: unknown
i am in the minority but i think the ap1 engine isn't so reliable, specifically the high revs & head, not to mention oil lubrications issues of the bottom end. Search the forums and draw your own conclusion.
I'm on my second engine, honda covered it (whew, warranty) so hopefully it was just an isolated problem, i've had over 40K on the new motor without problems.
I'm on my second engine, honda covered it (whew, warranty) so hopefully it was just an isolated problem, i've had over 40K on the new motor without problems.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 131
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From: Chantilly, VA
It is very difficult to determine the expected engine life of any vehicle; so many factors can contribute to a long or a short life.
That said, maintenance really is the key to longevity. My beater is a '93 Accord with almost 203K on it; it burns/leaks no oil, runs very strong and the previous owners neglected it for years. I had it checked by a mechanic who said I could EASILY get another 5 years plus out of it. It also gets 35 mpg and buzzes along at 75 all day with no issues.
Just because the F20C/F22Cs are higher revving beasts doesn't mean Honda didn't engineer that aspect into the design of the engines. They are built to spin at higher rpms reliably - they wouldn't have it any other way. Honda builds the finest engines in the world, specifically 4-cylinders and they would never sacrifice reliability or efficiency for performance. In fact I heard that Honda builds all of its engines to achieve a minimum of 200k, therefore they don't consider that to be a special landmark or measure of success for their products.
My S2000 only has 44k on it, but the inside of the valve cover looks brand new. Mobil 1 since 10K and oil has been changed at or below 3k miles since new. If I were buying a used S2K, I'd get one that's been maintained (records with it if possible). I wouldnt necessarily shy away from a higher mileage car if it was well maintained.
Get a leak down and compression test done. See if the car smokes at start up, check inside the oil filler cap and look for sludge and see if the valvetrain looks amber or copper colored - that's usually a sign the oil wasn't changed very often. Look to see if there is an accumulation of black soot above the tailpipes on the bumper. I'd also get a trusted mechanic to give it a once over and listen/look for things that might not be noticable in a casual inspection. Have them check the axles, seals, differential, engine, tranny and look for signs the car sustained significant damages in its past.
That said, maintenance really is the key to longevity. My beater is a '93 Accord with almost 203K on it; it burns/leaks no oil, runs very strong and the previous owners neglected it for years. I had it checked by a mechanic who said I could EASILY get another 5 years plus out of it. It also gets 35 mpg and buzzes along at 75 all day with no issues.
Just because the F20C/F22Cs are higher revving beasts doesn't mean Honda didn't engineer that aspect into the design of the engines. They are built to spin at higher rpms reliably - they wouldn't have it any other way. Honda builds the finest engines in the world, specifically 4-cylinders and they would never sacrifice reliability or efficiency for performance. In fact I heard that Honda builds all of its engines to achieve a minimum of 200k, therefore they don't consider that to be a special landmark or measure of success for their products.
My S2000 only has 44k on it, but the inside of the valve cover looks brand new. Mobil 1 since 10K and oil has been changed at or below 3k miles since new. If I were buying a used S2K, I'd get one that's been maintained (records with it if possible). I wouldnt necessarily shy away from a higher mileage car if it was well maintained.
Get a leak down and compression test done. See if the car smokes at start up, check inside the oil filler cap and look for sludge and see if the valvetrain looks amber or copper colored - that's usually a sign the oil wasn't changed very often. Look to see if there is an accumulation of black soot above the tailpipes on the bumper. I'd also get a trusted mechanic to give it a once over and listen/look for things that might not be noticable in a casual inspection. Have them check the axles, seals, differential, engine, tranny and look for signs the car sustained significant damages in its past.
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Temple City
Originally Posted by cdelena,Oct 19 2008, 07:11 AM
I've posted this comment before and took alot of grief for it but I will post it again...
The S2000 engine revs 30% more than the average Honda powerplant just to get down the road. It also takes high loads more often because it is used more often at the high end of the rpm range.
For these reasons we see some, but higher incidence of spun bearings, thrown roads, scored cylinders, etc. than with your run of the mill Honda engines.
So I would conclude that on the average the S2000 power plant will drive 30% fewer miles than the average Honda engine. If the average Honda engine life is 180k, you might expect 130K.
Not to say there won't be exceptions... there will be some that go 200 but we have also seen a number give up the ghost before 90.
The S2000 engine revs 30% more than the average Honda powerplant just to get down the road. It also takes high loads more often because it is used more often at the high end of the rpm range.
For these reasons we see some, but higher incidence of spun bearings, thrown roads, scored cylinders, etc. than with your run of the mill Honda engines.
So I would conclude that on the average the S2000 power plant will drive 30% fewer miles than the average Honda engine. If the average Honda engine life is 180k, you might expect 130K.
Not to say there won't be exceptions... there will be some that go 200 but we have also seen a number give up the ghost before 90.
however, an s2000 engine is not built like a run of the mill honda engine.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 8,595
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From: Temple City
Originally Posted by Eluded,Oct 19 2008, 10:29 AM
i am in the minority but i think the ap1 engine isn't so reliable, specifically the high revs & head, not to mention oil lubrications issues of the bottom end. Search the forums and draw your own conclusion.
I'm on my second engine, honda covered it (whew, warranty) so hopefully it was just an isolated problem, i've had over 40K on the new motor without problems.
I'm on my second engine, honda covered it (whew, warranty) so hopefully it was just an isolated problem, i've had over 40K on the new motor without problems.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,060
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From: Los angeles
200,000 miles and this guy only had a small problem. nothing engine related, click to find out 
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=633143
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=633143
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Joined: Apr 2008
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my brother has one that has 98k of hard driving , i have an 02 w/60k of really hard driving. running great both of them, before i bought my s i had a integra w/ 314,000 miles of hard driving, i did very little maintenance and i beat it to death and i still drove it 4 hours to pick up my s. confidence in honda is really high
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,781
Likes: 1
From: So Cal
my s has about 40k and not one problem, just do the maint and she'll take care of you...
my lude... way to many miles and still running great, basic maint plus changing seals and gaskets, but that was more thinking ahead than an actual problem... and fine i'll say 94 lude vtec... lets just say... it has... eight times as many miles... no really it does
my lude... way to many miles and still running great, basic maint plus changing seals and gaskets, but that was more thinking ahead than an actual problem... and fine i'll say 94 lude vtec... lets just say... it has... eight times as many miles... no really it does