Ok for starts I am a new Honda S2000 owner got my car last week and I am getting some work done on it now. It is a Year 2000 S2000 and I have read all of the TSB's and read many of the topics here in the forum so please dont flame me for being a noob because I am trying to learn before just dropping it out in the forum like most.

Car has 77,000 Miles on it

Took the S2000 to a local mechanic - first time using him

Had him check the car over etc...

He ran a compression test and came out with the following

Cylinder 1 225
Cylinder 2 225
Cylinder 3 150
Cylinder 4 225

Does anyone know the correct compression for the motor?

He said I should get the valves adjusted to see if that fixed the compression problem cost $200 he says.

Second I read about the TSB's on the grinding into second and getting the tranny fluid changed with GM Synchromesh - no problem - but I am hearing a vibrating noise from the tranny and the mechanic said I would need to get the Synchro's and the bearing changed. Approx cost $1500 -1600

I also hear a little clicking from the rear and sometimes from the front while doing slow turns or reversing.

I read that I should probably get the LSD and rear differential fluid changed.

so do you think that the mechanic is right with the synchromeshers and the bearing or should I just get him to adjust the valves?

Also if the valve adjustment doesnt fix my compresssion problem he said he would have to run a leak down on the motor and then maybe have to replace the rings etc...

Has anyone else had this problem with compression or do you have any suggestions?

Thanks,

DJEphoric

Yep im a noob.... first post... but I am glad I found this forum and an awesome community that supports it.

SNIP
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UPDATE

Well... bad news. After adjusting the valves (apparantly two were a little tight and one a little loose) re-ran the compression test...
C1 230
C2 225
C3 150
C4 225

So leak down test performed and with a little oil in C3 was 160.

Mechanic said air was getting through.

Cost $120 plus the first test $50 Total so far $170

Looks like the rings the mechanic says so he is going to get me a quote by Monday on how much he thinks it will cost me to get if fixed.

Does anyone konw how much it costs to replace the rings IE pull the head.. should I get any other work done while I get this done? Should I buy titanium or other aftermarket rings at the same time.

He said if any damage was done to the head than it would have to be bored I think is what he said.

Im think I read in another part of the forum that a full rebuild was $5k and to get it head repaired was $2K

I bought the car from a dealer and I am trying to get them to maybe cover part of the cost but I dont think it will happen... anyone know how much a lawyer will cost me

I live in the Bay Area should I maybe seek the experience of someone else on the forum for maybe rebuilding an S2000 or should I stick with my local mechanic or head to the local Honda dealership?

 

All cylinders should be about the same so it would appear you have a problem with the one. A valve adjustment ($200 seems high) will probably have no affect but it is worth a try. It probably will take more investigation to understand if you have a valve or cylinder problem.

These transmissions are pretty noisy but most really bad noises come from the normal gear lash vibrating the springs in the clutch disk on deceleration. I don't recall any issues of 'vibrating noise'. I would change the fluid and get a better feel for exactly the symptoms before making and rebuild decisions.

Clicking from the rear is often a loose castle nut but sometimes a failing CV joint. Again you need more investigation.

 

you definitely have a problem in #3, either a bent valve, bad piston ring, or head gasket. i don't think a valve adjustment will fix it.

 

Since you have a low #3 cylinder, I'd next perform a leak-down test. With a leak-down test you'll be able to isolate the low compression problem to the valves or the rings. I hope it's the valves, because head work is a lot less expensive than a motor rebuild.

As far as the other issues, the rear clicking noise could be CV joints, bearings, or some other issue.

Transmission vibration is pretty normal, especially for a MY 2000 car upon deceleration. Familiarize yourself with the clutch TSB for more details.

 

I think i'm gonna get a compresion test for the heck of it just to make sure everything is working properly. Hopefully your problem ends up being fixed the cheaper rout (head gasket) rather than bent rod etc...

 

Well... bad news. After adjusting the valves (apparantly two were a little tight and one a little loose) re-ran the compression test...
C1 230
C2 225
C3 150
C4 225

So leak down test performed and with a little oil in C3 was 160.

Mechanic said air was getting through.

Cost $120 plus the first test $50 Total so far $170

Looks like the rings the mechanic says so he is going to get me a quote by Monday on how much he thinks it will cost me to get if fixed.

Does anyone konw how much it costs to replace the rings IE pull the head.. should I get any other work done while I get this done? Should I buy titanium or other aftermarket rings at the same time.

He said if any damage was done to the head than it would have to be bored I think is what he said.

Im think I read in another part of the forum that a full rebuild was $5k and to get it head repaired was $2K

I bought the car from a dealer and I am trying to get them to maybe cover part of the cost but I dont think it will happen... anyone know how much a lawyer will cost me

I live in the Bay Area should I maybe seek the experience of someone else on the forum for maybe rebuilding an S2000 or should I stick with my local mechanic or head to the local Honda dealership?

 

to replace the rings you have to pull the engine out and dissassemble everything. you are looking at atleast $3k because of labor and parts.

 

I would seriously dump the car. Your mechanic is incompetent, and ripping you off IMHO. Demand a refund from the dealer of threaten to sue or bring in the media/ local news channel. That is your best fix.

 

I purchased the car off of Ebay... I think the dealer is just a guy who has a license and goes around buying cars from auto auctions and then sells them on Ebay. I have contacted him but I think the odds of me getting a refund are slim. I might be able to sue but I would be hard considering he is in NJ and I am in the CA San Francisco area.