Car Analogy

People get so hung up on getting the settings exactly right. The exact feel of the gauge as it slides around. Exactly how much pull is correct.

Its not really that critical. So long as next gauge up doesn't fit, and correct one does, you're close enough. What is more important is you get them all the same as each other. That you use the same feel, same amount of drag. If drag that feels right to me is way tighter than what feels right to you, both are going to be close enough to be perfectly fine.

panda25

if honda spec is 24, and mine are at 19, that makes me feel a little uneasy. should i get them re-torqued or are they gonna be fine?

Car Analogy

Retorque them. Will cause problems if they come lose, which is why they increased the spec.

You need a torque wrench, an allen wrench, and a 10mm socket. Its super easy.

Allen wrench to remove Honda logo'd cover on top of engine. Carefully unplug each coilpacks electrical connector. Remove each 10mm bolt holding each coilpack. Remove coilpacks (you just yank them out). Set torque wrench, tighten plugs until wrench clicks. Put everything back together.

Slowcrash_101

Don't press on the tabs until you hear them click, easy way to break them, especially cylinder 4, pop the coil pack just off the plug, then just gently press the tab at the base with your left hand, and slide it off with your right hand index and thumb, bracing your middle, ring and pinky fingers to the coil pack in one simultaneous motion.

rpg51

I've decided to replace the valve cover gasket and the other rubber bits while I have it apart.. Could someone recommend a good source? Also, even though my car has less than 20K miles I'm inclined to replace the spark plugs now, just on age. They are probably fine but the oem schedule does say to replace on age and they are 15 years old.

This will be interesting - I'll get to see how the engine is doing and then put it back together for a good long while and a have a good baseline. It really does run very well right now. And this does run counter to my general belief in the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" adage. But, given its age - I think this is prudent.

Chuck S

Preventive maintenance trumps "if it ain't broke don't fix it" every time. That's what the service schedule is all about. Pushing the "ain't broke" concept to the ridiculous we'd not change or even add engine oil until the engine seized/broke.

Replace spark plugs at 105,000 miles or 84 months/7 years service.

Correct plugs are Platinum Tipped NKG PFR7G-11S Stock No. 7772. A set of 4 is under $50 on Amazon including shipping. Pre-gapped to 11mm. Anti-seize is on the threads, don't add more. Torque to 24lb-ft.

You should be able to find a complete gasket set there as well. Honda best practice replaces all gaskets and many fasteners every time service is performed.

-- Chuck

rpg51

Thanks Chuck. Amazon here I come.
I'll make an exception and resist my Yankee way of thinking. You can push the "preventive maintenance" to the ridiculous too!
Rob.

P.S. Watch - I'll get done with this and the thing will start throwing codes after 15 years of perfection.

Slowcrash_101

Genuine OEM Honda S2000 Valve Cover Gasket Set 2000-2009

Best price I've found for the gasket set.

Chuck S

Of course but it doesn't hurt anything. An oil change every 1000 miles for example uses a lot of oil but so what? Overkill always works.

But scheduled maintenance like (say), as a wild example, changing the spark plugs at 7 years isn't either. The plugs are no doubt fine at this point but it's still best to change them.

I changed my TCT before it started having problems as another example. Nope, wasn't broke. Yet.

-- Chuck