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UK & Ireland S2000 CommunityDiscussions related to the S2000, its ownership and enthusiasm for it in the UK and Ireland. Including FAQs, and technical questions.
If your S2000 engine has failed and been replaced (or replaced because imminent failure is suspected), please add your details to this thread.
Please do not use this thread for discussion - use either the Jenson thread or create a new thread for that purpose.
The intention of this thread is to provide a central record of all S engine failures.
Suggested information as follows:
Year of Engine Manufacture:
Mileage on engine when it failed:
Failed engine number:
Date of failure:
Symptoms of the engine:
Diagnosis: (if available)
Number of engines your S has had:
I'll kick this one off with details of my first engine replacement.
Year of Engine Manufacture: 2008
Mileage on engine when it failed: 10,092 miles
Failed engine number: F20C21080571
Date of failure: 19/09/2009
Symptoms of the engine: There was no warning (i.e. rattling), the engine blew with a big bang in VTEC but continued to run. Initial diagnosis was exhaust/cat damage but engine failure was confirmed by AA & Bristol Honda.
Diagnosis: Warranty paperwork states: Confirmed knocking noise from engine, checked oil level - fine. Suspect noise from lower engine...removed sump & checked big ends. Found excessive sworf in sump, checked big end shells - all ok, no wear on liners...all looks fine...suspect main bearings at fault...new short motor required.
No confirmation of findings forthcoming from HUK - allegedly still awaiting feedback from Honda Japan (not quite sure how as engine has been scrapped).
Number of engines your S has had: 2 (at this stage)
And then
Year of Engine Manufacture: 2010
Mileage on engine when it failed: 20,253 miles (total on car 30,346 miles)
Failed engine number: F20C20109009
Date of failure: 9/08/2010
Symptoms of the engine: An extremely irritating metallic rattle between 1,500-4,000 revs, present at all times. Difficult to diagnose as it reverberates down the drive shaft. Ruled out exhaust, cat, rattling heat shield and finally tracked it back to the top driver's side of the engine block. (I've recorded this noise for posterity should anyone require a listen for comparative purposes.)
Diagnosis: Warranty paperwork states: Confirmed knocking noise from engine. Removed sump and inspected shells, slight score marking on all shells. Checked for free play in cran - very little play found. Replaced short motor and test car...noise now gone all ok.
Number of engines your S has had: 3
New engine number: F20C20109062
[Edit: Updated to include details of 2nd engine replacement and the 3rd engine)
And on behalf of Gaspode (I'm sure he'd want his S to be included in this thread):
Year of Engine Manufacture: 2009
Mileage on engine when it failed: circa 8,000 miles
Failed engine number: F20C21090153
Date of failure: 10/09/2009
Symptoms of the engine: knocking noise from the engine (sounds a bit like castanets) - now known as the Gaspode Death Rattle
Diagnosis: engine failure - no confirmation of findings forthcoming from HUK - allegedly still awaiting feedback from Honda Japan...
Number of engines your S has had: 2
Year of Engine Manufacture: 1999
Mileage on engine when it failed: 63k
Failed engine number: F20C21001773
Date of failure: september 2009
Symptoms of the engine: First sign was engine locked up at track day and struggled to start for around 2 hours after , eventually started and top timing chain pulley/wheel spindle bolt snapped on way home, thankfully managed to replace spindle without any other damage which was very lucky then further 2 weeks later loud ticking noise espescially around 2.5-3 k Rpm (oil light flickering) eventually very loud clunking noise (The death rattle)
Diagnosis: excessive crank wear which was down to oil pump failure
Number of engines your S has had : on my 2nd
Year of Engine Manufacture: 2007
Mileage on engine when it failed: 20k
Failed engine number: F20C21070481
Date of failure: April 2010
Symptoms of the engine: Engine made a knocking noise at about 2500rpm but then got drowned out by other noises after 4000rpm. The noise seemed to be coming from the gearbox bellhousing area but you could feel the knocking if you placed your hand ontop of the engine you could also feel the knocking through the clutch pedal if you held it to the floor. Engine used no oil, made the correct power output on a dyno and the noise was apparent for 7000miles without getting any louder.
Diagnosis: On inspection of the block after removal they could find no bore wear, no crank end float and no scoring of the crank.
Number of engines your S has had: 2
FIRST FAILURE: Year of Engine Manufacture: June 2008 car. Mileage on engine when it failed: 9,000 Failed engine number: F20C2 1080681 Date of failure: Feb 2009 Symptoms of the engine: growling noise when reving, worse under load, sounded a bit like a V8. Power there, and vtec engaged. Diagnosis: Swarf found in sump, diagnosed as crank breaking up, not sure whether dodgy bearing caused crank to break up, or dodgy crank caused damage to bearing.
Short engine replaced. Number of engines your S has had: 2 replacements, on third engine
SECOND FAILURE: Year of Engine Manufacture: June 2008 car (same car as above). Mileage on engine when it failed: 22,000 (31,000 on car) Failed engine number: F20C2 0108020 Date of failure: July 2010 Symptoms of the engine: quieter growling noise than on above engine - caught it earlier. Honda surprised I'd spotted it so early, but agreed same problem/sound. Diagnosis: Swarf found in sump, diagnosed as thrust washer bearing problem. Short engine replaced. Number of engines your S has had: 2 replacements, on third engine.
Warranty expires end of June 2011 - 11 months remaining.
Cost of replacement engine quoted by Honda, fully fitted, if not covered under warranty:
Parts £3,533.84 inc. VAT, bolts, gaskets, oil etc.
Labour £814 inc. VAT
Total £4,347.84 inc. VAT
NB:- My S2000 NEVER uses any oil - still checked weekly though. Neither did my previous S2000 (2006-2008), nor the two Civic Type Rs (older shape) before that. All four VTECs owned from new, run-in carefully (full rev range, not under load, gently for first 900 miles), and serviced with Honda as per schedule.
Year of Engine Manufacture: 1999
Mileage on engine when it failed: 89000
Failed engine number:
Date of failure: march 2010
Symptoms of the engine: knocking noises
Diagnosis: (if available) Possible oil degradation due excessive heat from modifications
Year of Engine Manufacture: 2000 (JDM)
Mileage on engine when it failed: 88624
Failed engine number:
Date of failure: Summer 2006
Symptoms of the engine: Valves dropped on 4th cylinder?
Diagnosis: Engine stopped while car was running then white smoke.
Number of engines your S has had: On 2nd (MY04)
Year of Engine Manufacture: 2000
Mileage on engine when it failed: 94000
Failed engine number:
Date of failure: April 2009
Symptoms of the engine: No warning wotsoever. Was in 2nd gear @8000rpm when she went bang! Only topped her off with oil the night before!
Diagnosis: No idea! 2 big holes either side of the block though!
Number of engines your S has had: on 2nd now.
Year of Engine Manufacture: 1999 JDM
Mileage on engine when it failed: ~60k I think.
Failed engine number: NA
Date of failure: 2008
Symptoms of the engine: Loud knocking.
Diagnosis (from Bozwell):
timing chain was stretched so the timing marks didn't line up and the cams were retarded
there are signs of detonation on the pistons
all the top piston rings are broken (hence using a lot of oil)
and post low oil pressure the crank will not turn in the block properly even though there is nothing bolted to it , so i suspect it has twisted and possibly taken the block with it
Number of engines your S has had: 2
08-02-2010, 10:07 AM
Engine Failures
