hereford

Hi everyone, am thinking of selling my 04 facelift to buy a newer model. Would like to know please from what year did engine problems occur and also what are the known problems please.
Thanks.

lovegroova

MY08 onwards. Other than that you are fine.

See here for the long read: https://www.s2ki.com/forums/uk-irela...owners-876045/

hereford

Many thanks for your help.

ValveBounce

OK, time for some daft questions, please bear with me. Grateful for any advice.

1. Firstly, I have an 09 registered S2000. How do I find the actual year of manufacture (MY)?

2. When I bought it I did some research regarding geo bolts and other stuff, but I didn't pick up the engine problems in the late cars, that's my oversight. So, what was (is) the failure rate of the late engines? Subsequently I have heard figures of 3%, so not a big number. Is that correct? (Or do the majority die eventually)

3. My car has 19.5k miles on it. Am I right in assuming that generally if an 08/09 engine gets passed about 5k it "should" be trouble free (apart from TCT and other accepted items)

4. What was the final accepted reason for failure? Was it the thrust bearing?

5. So far, no unusual noise from my car at 2500-3000rpm. If you owned my car (which is pretty mint in every other respect) what would you do?

lovegroova

The easiest way to tell is by the wheels. If they are solid 5 spokes, like these, then it's an MY08 or 09.



The best thing to do is to take out an extended warranty from Honda, if you haven't already.

Failure rate was pretty low, I think, although it is tough to know the full extent of the problem.

ValveBounce

Yep, those are my wheels so it's MY08 or 09.

Any insight to my other questions gratefully received, thank you.

lovegroova

2. No-one, apart from Honda, knows.
3. Probably, but there are no guarantees.
4. No-one, apart from Honda, knows, or at least is prepared to say.
5. I'm in almost exactly the same boat as you (18k miles on mine) and the warranty was my preferred choice - I have 3 years' remaining.

noodels

I would check crank end float,and quite easy to do if it was mine
USA forums did some measurements
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/s2000-un...ilure-1171212/

ValveBounce

Yep, I think you're right. Having done a bit of research (which maybe I should've done earlier) it seems the cause of the 09 engine failures is incorrectly installed thrust washers (some were installed back-to-front, thus cutting off the oil supply to the bearing face.)

So, I agree a check of end float would be a prudent measure. If it's in tolerance on a 19k mile motor the thrust bearing is likely to be good. If it's out of tolerance then further investigation required.

har-vey

Why are you considering a newer model? The 04-05 facelift is the sweet spot and generally looked at as the best cars to buy.