Gentlemen

I have a 00 S 2000 with just 9 thousand miles on the engine. On start up I get a rattling noise in the engine for about two or three minutes. Its not a knock just a rattle. After it's warm its very quiet and the noise doesn't appear again in subsequent start ups that day. I bought it from an older gentlemen who drove it very carefully. I depend upon the advise of the good people in this forum so I would love to hear what you have to say. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Have you checked your oil level yet? This car typically uses oil, especially the AP1 series. Even an older gentleman who drives it carefully can be remiss in checking oil. If you are low on oil, I would begin to suspect that he never kept track of other key maintenance checks.

 

XVIPER thanks for your response. Oil level is right up to the top. I thought it might be a tensioner but it does this for two or three minutes. After the first start up this engine is so quiet. I hate to take this car to the dealer. I have used all your posts on transmission,differential and oil changes to do the work myself. The dealer will just do unneccessary work if you take it to them. Uses a minimal amount of oil I am going on a trip to Bamff. Sure would like to talk to you about these cars. Thanks for your help.

 

My engine (2001) has done that since new. Oil level is always topped up. I was concerned and took it to the dealer> A service tech listened to it and said it's normal. So far, knoock on wood, no problems at 94,000 miles.

Warren

 

Thanks for clearing that up. Like Warren said, it may be normal. You should try to meet up with another S2000 owner and make arrangements to listen to his car on a cold start to compare.
If it were me, I would have my oil pressure checked, just in case there is something odd about that aspect. You may not have low enough oil pressure to trip the light, but on a cold start, pressure may just be low enough to delay proper oil distribution to all important parts. The tensioner does depend upon oil pressure to function properly. Also, you may simply have "piston slap", which goes a way once the engine has warmed up a bit. Although not common with S2000s, it is a common Honda thing. Not much you can do about it and it's not harmful.
As a side note, what type and grade of oil are you using? I just want to eliminate one other possibility.

 

Thanks Warren for your response. This car runs so good I just wanted you guy's opinion before my trip to Canada in September. I have taken it on some long trips with no appreciable lost of oil. When you let the Honda tech listen to the engine was it cold? Maybe I am just over reacting to this noise. Thanks again Warren for your help.

 

XVIPER Thanks for your help. I am using Valvoline 10-30 and after reading your post on oil change and filter changed my oil last week with a new Honda filter. I even made the foil bib to keep the engine clean. Would piston slap sound like a rattling sound for would it be more of a knock?

 

Forged pistons are looser than non-forged so, it's not unusual to have more piston noise on cold startup than other engines. Mine does it from a dead cold startup but, even a bit warm, it never repeats.

 

EK9 Thanks for your response. I just hate to take this to the dealer because you know what happens there. I try to do all my maintenance myself thanks to XVIPER and others. Without you guy's I would be in serious trouble. Thank you.

 

Yes, it was a cold engine.

I didn't know about the forged pistons being noiser. As for oil, I'm using Castrol Syntec 10W/30.

Warren