Hey Guys,

I'd love to get people's opinions on this sudden raspy sound and lack of power in my 2008 AP2 F20 S2000, no warning signs just a sudden change in engine sound.

To give some vehicle history, the first owner had the engine replaced with a brand new one by a Honda garage at around 20k miles 12 years ago because something happened to the engine during a service, so they replaced it for free. Since then, it's done another 20k miles no problem, so 40k on the clock. I noticed on the MOT history it has all passed and looking good, but there is a one year where the owner managed to do 15,000 miles? Bit weird, but whatever.

I'm still in my 6 month warranty and only bought it early January and have probably done 500 miles. The garage owner from whom I purchased it came over this afternoon to have a listen and drove it quickly. He's getting his mechanic to diagnose it tomorrow and go from there. He's upset it's gone wrong and loves the s2000 so he's being very useful and accommodating, which is good!

My worry is I've done catastrophic damage, and it needs another engine replacement, which feels like it's going to ruin its resale value having already had one.

Would it make more sense to have the garage refund the car at this rate and find a new one? What would you do in this situation?

Hopefully, the mechanic brings good news, and it's not irreversible damage.

 

cant tell a lot from that. I dont hear anything there that sounds like catastrophic damage though. Really need a lot more information though. No check engine light/codes? how does it drive? Feel normal but just with less power? Feel or sound like VTEC is engaging ?

This is a european car correct? Just making sure because you mention F20 vs F22 engine.

a 2nd engine is not really going to do anything to resale I can think of. It does not have the original engine so that really does not change much. But not thinking that is really the answer here unless we learn more that points that direction.

 

Heya Mate,

Yeah it's not much to go off but the garage have taken it away today for their mechanic to diagose.
Yes europe car so 2008 F20c.
I didn't see a check engine light up last time I checked.
VTEC was engaging but I didn't dare do it much once the sound started.
Yeah it drives fairly normal just sounds rough with perhaps a little less power.
The noise isn't there in idle, only when applying gas or if the car is under pressure such as, it deffo made the noise clearly when he was driving it up the trailer ramps.

 

OEM exhaust setup. Correct?

Thanks!

 

Raspy sounding (if not exhaust issue/broken cat), to me, sounds like heavy ignition retard, low timing. Potentially faulty knock sensor and you’re in a limp-mode.

That would also explain the lack of power.

When tuning and building a fuel map, I start 10-15 degrees below the norm, and it has a that weird lazy-rasp like sound. Once fueling is good. And timing back in check, she sounds great again.

I had a broken knock sensor, and it caused what you’ve described as well.

 

Not sure how tuning or ignition timing could be off since a 2008 car should be Drive By Wire and tunable.

Sudden changes in sound or performance happen frequently 'cuz you did something -- what was it?

-- Chuck

 

What are your short and long term fuel trim readings? Are they at 1-3%?

Tangentially, I don't understand why everything is an investment these days. No one buys anything for themselves anymore, they just try to keep it nice for the next owner.