Hey guys,

Relatively new to the forum, but I have owned my s for a few years now. So I did my first HPDE at Watkins Glen through NASA on Monday and Tuesday. While I already know that the S is an incredibly capable machine, putting it through the paces at the Glen really opened my eyes even more. My prior experience was only autocross for several years. I was running Hankook RS3 tires, 225 width in the front and 245 width in the rear. Stock otherwise. But the speed the car can carry through the corners is truly impressive.

On to the issues I faced. I did get some brake fade but nothing too crazy. From the feedback I was getting from everybody, changing to ATE brake fluid should help. Is there anything else I should change to maintain a consistent pedal? I also started to get 4th gear grinding. It would still go into 4th and stay there but the grinding was becoming more frequent. I kept my shifting as smooth as I could, but it still persisted at the higher RPM shifts. Could this be a sign of the syncro going bad or could there be another issue affecting it? All the other gears had no problems throughout the day.

Finally, the issue that caused me the most problem. By the second day I was carrying a lot more speed through the corners and on the straights. For those of you familiar with the Glen I was in the middle of turn 7, an uphill cambered right hander. Despite being full throttle, halfway through the corner the power just cut with a loud banging sound and rpms dropped to 6k (AP1) where they stayed despite being full throttle. Followed by a flickering oil light and cel. I pulled it in and the oil level was perfect with no dripping at all. The cel code was P1259. The consensus I got from searching was the oil pressure switch so I ordered a new one. My question is that do you think this was caused from the track day? I understand that 30 minute sessions of high rpms is stressful. Or was it simply a coincidence for it to go out when it did? Thanks for the help guys, really appreciate it!

Shiv

 

I'm not 100% sure on this, but I would say pull vtec solenoid and check the screen for metal shavings to make sure you didn't do any internal engine damage, since it's like 5 minutes to do. Most likely oil starvation I would guess?

 

Definitely check for oil shavings in the solenoid! You can check for them in the oil pan as well once you drain it.

S2kreeper does sound correct with the oil starvation. Vtec will shut off if the CEL goes on which will drop you to 6k (vtec is at 6.5k) and is usually due to lack of oil. You didn't describe the "loud banging" noise though. Does that happen on start up now too? Was it continous when you were driving back to pit?

 

How was your fuel? Was the tank under half full? you could have starved the engine during the turn. Otherwise AP1s are known for dumping oil out the PVC and into the intake, but that should result in power loss and smoke, not really "banging" noises. So I am not sure.

ATE fluid and better brake pads should be fine if you decide to keep doing track days. One alternative is Hawk HP+ pads, the other is Carbotech pads. Either the autox oriented AX6 pads or the race XP series.

Not sure about the grinding. Sounds like it could be the syncro. First easy thing to do is change the transmission fluid.

 

Glen is heavy on brakes. In addition to the ATE Super Blue or Motul RBF 600, I would also recommend swapping your pads to Hawk HP Plus or Carbotechs, if you are not already running those.

Several Upstate S2000 owners have run at the Glen, but I can't seem to recall anyone that has experienced the issue you are mentioning exiting Turn 7 aka Toe of the Boot. I would have to think you were experiencing oil starvation. How much fuel did you have in your car when you experienced the bang? People have experienced fuel cutoff especially during the later sessions when they have 1/3rd or lower in their tank at Turn 7. Not sure if they heard a bang.

Feel free to post on Upstate New York as well. Quite a few Rochester owners including the CO, who is a 20 year veteran of Watkins Glen
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/forum/67-...-s2000-owners/

And if you are interested in going back to the Glen in July, be sure to check out the SCDA Event thread. Seven of us will be at Watkins Glen on July 8 & 9 via a group discount.

 

oh! and next time you are at Watkins Glen, be sure to drive into the village and fill up your tank during lunch. Thats what most of us do.

 

I have experienced the 4th gear grind in the last session of the day, I started shifting at 8k instead of 9k from 3rd to 4th and it got a lot better. I have never gotten it on the street, not sure if it is caused by the tranny fluid being extremely hot. I am running a track day next Monday, I am interested to see if it comes back.

 

Hey guys thanks for the quick replies, really awesome. I'll definitely start by checking for the metal shavings. Fingers crossed that there aren't any.

I had actually just come back from lunch and had the car filled with 93 as well, so totally full tank. I didn't notice any power loss prior to the cel, including the same corner it came on and I was carrying similar speeds beforehand as well. I was checking the oil as well after every session, and it was right in between the high and low markings on the dipstick when hot. Once the cel came on and I was pulling into the paddock the engine did shut off as soon as I put the clutch in. But it did start right back up. I drove it about 100 miles home and the engine was fine and smooth at cruising speeds. Never revved it up near 6k, and there was no banging sound after the one I experienced on the track. The car did feel fine to drive back with the exception of the cel.

I'll definitely post up in the upstate forums, I have yet to meet anyone in the area with an S despite there being plenty. And I will definitely be hitting up the Glen in July with you guys, that sounds awesome.

 

There are a number of threads indicating that the P1259 is a vtec malfunction code.

Google "honda s2000 code P1259". The first thread that came up has, potentially, it as a $69 fix.

Maybe you should clear the code and see if it comes back.

See you in July.

 

I'm not sure if it is P1259, but one of the codes throws this error: vtec malfunction/oil clog/oil is low. Usually it just means low oil instead of an actual vtec issue.