Hello everyone,

I was looking for some advice from the more seasoned S2000 members on here regarding my clutch.

I own an '02 S2000.

Basically if I set off as normal the clutch feels fine - it was installed approximately 20000 miles ago but not by me, by the previous owner. It drives fine through 2nd 3rd and 4th - nice and grippy - if I am driving normally and if I sit at 30 it wont slip if I go WOT in 3rd or 4th. Now, if I boot it through 2nd and into 3rd (from 9000 rpm to 6000 rpm)it slips as I engage the clutch and then from there on after if I give it a kick up the arse it slips. Obviously I don't want to keep doing this as it could eventually lead to early clutch failure which is the last thing I want however I don't want to go and get a new clutch fitted at the best part of £800 if it isn't actually the cause of the problem.

I have been speaking to a couple of mates who own hondas (but not S2000s)and they have suggested that I may be shifting down and not rev matching well enough causing the clutch to temporarily polish but I have never really shifted down and booted it only really when I have come to a nice straight section opened her up (unless I am not noticing myself aggressively shifting down). The most annoying thing is I don't really abuse the car at all but when I do fancy giving her a nice rev up to the top I cant shift up a gear without thinking I am about to burn my clutch out and then thereafter it become slippy through vtec for a good few miles - or even until I go home which I usually do at this point because as I say I am scared to get stuck in the middle of no where with an un-drivable car.

Any ideas?

If you want any more specifics I can probably describe a little bit better.

Cheers
Earl

 

Looks like you finally encountered the clutch delay valve (CDV). AP2 models came with the CDV to prevent shock on the tranny and diff during high RPMs shifts. It engages the clutch slowly, purposely slipping the clutch a little, to prevent shock on the breakable apart. I think the CDV is located in the slave cylinder and can be removed.

 

Even on an '02 plate? I found somewhere the DIY to removing it but can't remember if there is a comparison for a quick check if I have the CDV on my car. I would love it to be a simple fix like that, I am slightly skeptical though

Cheers
Earl

 

02s don't have CDVs. You have a clutch that is wearing out. Some component is not working as well as it used to - maybe the friction disc, maybe the pressure plate. You can baby the car and drive it but if it is slipping at 6k plus rpm, its a sign that its time to replace the clutch system parts.

Also, the CDV doesn't "slip" the clutch, you will never feel a clutch slip when driving an AP2 in normal driving. What you would feel at a redline WOT shift is the pressure plate slipping the clutch disc, as it is not strong enough to stop the increased rotational inertia of the 22 lb flywheel at that speed. The remedy is a lighter flywheel or stronger pp.

 

^^^ It's that simple. No reason to look elsewhere.

 

Ok, clutch replacement it is then, just wanted to clarify this before I spent the best part of £1000 getting it done and it wasn't even the issue.


Edit - Unless anyone knows somewhere in Scotland I can get it done at a reasonable price where I can provide the parts?
Cheers
Earl

 

Double check the clutch freeplay underdash, make sure you have some freeplay between the clutch rod and the master cylinder piston. If you run out of clearance it will put pressure on the clutch and it will slip.

 

Cheers for this I will check it out when I get back to the mainland.

Earl