When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I haven't replaced the spark plugs as recently as I thought I had
Some scratching seen in cylinder 4, but hard to tell how severe with the resolution and glare
@Slowcrash_101 I had been interpreting the comment from Trackspec as adding oil to a leak-down test and seeing some improvement, hence a severe issue with the piston ring seal? I also added some more info the the background on the first post; misfire engine code and same diagnosis from 2 shops.
In other news, InlinePro confirmed if there is an issue they cant hone they'll just do a core exchange. Unless theres some relatively easy diagnosis I can do, I'm leaning towards sending the long-block to InlinePro. I've had two shops tell me I've got an issue with the piston rings seals, I guess I can get a third opinion when I find a shop to do the engine removal and install (I'm not up for it myself).
Your spark plugs are worn, but I don't see anything troubling.
I'm guessing those are pics of the cylinder in question.
Im starting to think the problem is a top end one, not bottom end.
I know what you mean. But, OP reports that the leak down shows that the bottom end is source of compression loss. It would be nice to see the actual leak down test results. If it were my car and I diagnosed bottom end damage causing loss of compression - 95% chance I would be looking for a good used engine rather then trying to do some sort of rebuild.
If 2 places confirmed the same thing then I would be pretty confident that his issue is in the bottom end. You can get a 3rd option if you want to feel more confident. Have you considered a k swap? Honestly if you are tracking the car it is the way to go. k20/24 with cams makes very good power and its pretty reliable. Best part is that if you have the same problem again it wont cost you 4K for a new engine.
Updates: Slowcrash had me paranoid so I did my own leakdown test. Cylinder 4 has 50-60% pressure loss, couldn't hear anything through the intake or exhaust but lot of air coming out the dip-stick.
@umair any what getting a k swapped s2000 registered is like in CA?
Updates: Slowcrash had me paranoid so I did my own leakdown test. Cylinder 4 has 50-60% pressure loss, couldn't hear anything through the intake or exhaust but lot of air coming out the dip-stick.
Yep, the engine is done. Although the initial investment into a K-swap is ~$7,500, you can pick up spare K's for substantially less and much faster than spare F series motors. Plus Ks let you run standard pistons and are plenty reliable.
Yep, the engine is done. Although the initial investment into a K-swap is ~$7,500, you can pick up spare K's for substantially less and much faster than spare F series motors. Plus Ks let you run standard pistons and are plenty reliable.
Plus ECU, and harness, and wiring install, and a few odds and ends. Trust me, it ends up being around $7,500 out the door if you pay someone to do the swap. If you go standalone maybe more.
Plus you'll need to baffle your oil pan, the k series is designed for an ff layout.
