Over rev scare
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 11
From: Pensacola
As the others (in the constructive part of this post) have mentioned - if you were in neutral you'll have no problems - you just bounced off the rev-limiter. If you were looking for 3rd and accidentally selected first (it would have been obvious) - then you may have mechanically over-revved the engine.
And before anyone flames without reading all the way through - once again: this error would have been obvious - as in it would have felt like you slammed on the brakes, the transmission would have telegraphed the mis-shift with the distinctive 1st gear shifting "whine" and the engine would have been screaming.
A mechanical over-rev will many times NOT result in any immediate symptoms. In fact, cracked retainers will almost never advertise a problem until they finally let go of the valve with no warning (usually many thousand miles down the road). The only way to identify this type of problem is by having an experienced S2000 mechanic specifically look at the position of the keeper relative to the retainer. A well trained eye can spot this during a valve adjustment. If there's any doubt (one looks a little iffy) then removing the cams and rotating back the rockers gives an unobstructed view of the retainer (top side).
I had a mechanical over-rev at around 15,000 miles on my car (~10,200-10,300 RPM - determined with a gear ratio calculator and the speed at which the mis-shift occurred). I had it inspected by an S2000 specialist at my dealer and found no immediate issues. I subsequently inspected them about every 10,000 miles when I adjusted the valves and found no slippage.
Nevertheless, I recently had billman replace the intake retainers with AP2 retainers for the peace of mind (AP2 retainers are a lot stronger than AP1 retainers). All of my intake retainers had concentric hairline stress fractures - not the typical radial type that eventually result in slippage. However, there's no telling if the retainers would eventually fail due to the type of cracks they had. Thanks again billman!
OP: do a search on cracked retainers and read up on all the posts written by billman250. The only time a mechanical over-rev will immediately have negative symptoms (rough idle, CEL, no worky any more) is when it was so great (over ~10,400+ RPM on an otherwise healthy AP1) and you have bent exhaust valves or worse.
If you bought a used AP1 - it's ALWAYS a good idea to have your retainers inspected. There's no telling why the previous owner sold the car, and they very well may have over-revved the car, and you have a time bomb on your hands.
Good luck.
And before anyone flames without reading all the way through - once again: this error would have been obvious - as in it would have felt like you slammed on the brakes, the transmission would have telegraphed the mis-shift with the distinctive 1st gear shifting "whine" and the engine would have been screaming.
A mechanical over-rev will many times NOT result in any immediate symptoms. In fact, cracked retainers will almost never advertise a problem until they finally let go of the valve with no warning (usually many thousand miles down the road). The only way to identify this type of problem is by having an experienced S2000 mechanic specifically look at the position of the keeper relative to the retainer. A well trained eye can spot this during a valve adjustment. If there's any doubt (one looks a little iffy) then removing the cams and rotating back the rockers gives an unobstructed view of the retainer (top side).
I had a mechanical over-rev at around 15,000 miles on my car (~10,200-10,300 RPM - determined with a gear ratio calculator and the speed at which the mis-shift occurred). I had it inspected by an S2000 specialist at my dealer and found no immediate issues. I subsequently inspected them about every 10,000 miles when I adjusted the valves and found no slippage.
Nevertheless, I recently had billman replace the intake retainers with AP2 retainers for the peace of mind (AP2 retainers are a lot stronger than AP1 retainers). All of my intake retainers had concentric hairline stress fractures - not the typical radial type that eventually result in slippage. However, there's no telling if the retainers would eventually fail due to the type of cracks they had. Thanks again billman!
OP: do a search on cracked retainers and read up on all the posts written by billman250. The only time a mechanical over-rev will immediately have negative symptoms (rough idle, CEL, no worky any more) is when it was so great (over ~10,400+ RPM on an otherwise healthy AP1) and you have bent exhaust valves or worse.
If you bought a used AP1 - it's ALWAYS a good idea to have your retainers inspected. There's no telling why the previous owner sold the car, and they very well may have over-revved the car, and you have a time bomb on your hands.
Good luck.
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 57
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Thanks for the great information. I am almost positive that when I got the car checked out last week that the mechanic made a note to check the retainers. This is because he has a 01 s2000 and had to replace his. Also, this car was certified used and hopefully Honda made it a point to check this problem out as well.
Next time I bring the car in I will ask again to have them checked, just in case something is indeed there, I might be able to have it covered under my bumper to bumper warrany.
Next time I bring the car in I will ask again to have them checked, just in case something is indeed there, I might be able to have it covered under my bumper to bumper warrany.
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