$ 20.00 is actually cheap. I was advised to change it regardless because the shop wont warranty the job in case it starts leaking.

 

I think doing valve adjustment more often is better and cant hurt. Especially I have adjusted to tighter spec than OEM suggested range for better performance, so I check more frequently.

And since its a easy DIY, its can be done within 2 hours...

 

Anyone have a DIY on this for the novice?

 

Theres one on youtube, just search for s2000 valve adjustment

 

Click here for a simple pdf of this job. Pages 1-6 just tell what tools you need and how to remove the valve cover. The most important information is on pages 7 and 8 where it is detailed what position the cam gears and sprocket need to be in to properly read the clearance for each cylinder. If you are at all mechanically inclined, it is a really easy procedure, it's just a little tedious trying to use the feeler gauges on the rear cylinders as there isn't much room to work with.

 

This is definitely not a "novice" job. Please do not attempt if you don't know what you're doing.

 

Valve adjustments aren't that hard and that PDF does a really good job of explaining it. If the instructions don't seem clear and make sense, then of course, don't do it yourself, but it isn't really hard or complicated. You just need to follow the steps, take your time, and double check your work.

 

forget this job if you have a weak or problematic back. forget the sequence of rotating the crank, just make sure the cam lobes of the valves you are adjusting are pointing to 10 and 2 (basically so there is no pressure on the valves - everything will become more clear once your in there looking at everything.

 

That's the thing I'm not very mechanically inclined. Ha, thanks for the instructions though. I'll probably just find a place to do it. Honda quoted me $166 without the gasket which I'll probably get from hardtopguy.

 

Assuming they really do it and do it properly... that's a decent price. This is a job that it would be very easy for a dishonest mechanic to half-ass or not do at all and just pretend they did it.