Hi all,

recently bought a my06 s2000, that had full service history and seems to have been looked after well. (62000 miles)

Since I’ve owned it I’ve driven about 500 miles so far, hitting my vtec a considerable amount. 800mls of oil has disappeared in that timspan.


There is oil residue around the rocker cover, but does not seem to be leaking still (Will replace gasket when valve clearance is done.) and I can’t see any oil on the floor after it’s been parked etc. nor am I seeing any smoke during driving.

I believe the pcv is blocked/ not working after pinching the line between the intake and rocker cover and not hearing any noise, I’ve ordered a replacement that’s coming.

Any other checks or common leaks that I could do would be appreciated as I’d like to sort it out before spring time.

 

Usually that "leak" is from clumsy oil filling, it runs down the back of the cam cover and settles along that side due to the angle of the engine seating, think gravity. Then it will sludge up a bit from heat/ageing oil.
To be fair, 500 miles of smashing VTEC will probably consume 800ml.
My previous 06 never really drank a drop, but it was 95% my commuter and never saw VTEC much until it went up in the hills every few months over Spring and Summer. Then it did consume, not alot though. Owned from 79000 miles to 114000 miles from memory.
Pcv is a good start, definitely needs to be cleaned or replaced. Clean the old one anyway, easy enough to do.
Most oil leaks are from the VTEC solenoid gasket, TCT gasket, oil pressure switch o ring, (all on the front left side of the engine) and the cam gear screw (front of the cam cover in the middle- don't remove the Allen key bolt whatever you do !).
If they aren't weeping, leave them alone.
Also check for oil leaks on the spark plug seals. Typically you'll see wet spark plugs if they are.

 

If you're constantly topping off stop. The proper oil level is not at the Max point, it's anywhere between the H and L marks on the dipstick.

Some cars consume oil in normal operation (which includes VTEC Yo!) to a certain point and then stop.

This applies to all cars, not just Hondas or the S2000. For my personal S2000 sample I've never needed to add engine oil in the past 10 years as the level has always remains between the marks and never approaches the L level.

-- Chuck

 

Chuck - not sure if you drive yours as hard these days, however....

Elephant in the room time. If it's consuming ALOT of oil, chances are you may have to wonder about the previous owner. Running low on oil can play havoc, until the bottom end knocks. Hopefully they didn't fill it with super thick oil to mask anything.
Always safe to check with a compression test.
Hard driving / driving behaviour can attribute to more oil use, more wear if not topped up. Lots on this if you search. However it's a hardy engine, but won't escape damage without regular oil checks. I check mine every fortnight.
Every owner is different, I keep mine at full

 

thanks for the answers all, taking it all into account, I’m praying to the vtec gods that it is the pcv valve causing atleast some extra consumption. I’m hoping that it’s nothing internally causing the consumption as mileage isn’t very high but I know that isn’t the only factor of course.

if the pcv valve doesn’t make a difference I’ll ask the previous owner for some insight into it all.

 

That much oil you would expect smoke

Are the exhaust tips oily?

My 2001 uses some small amount of oil but it takes me a long time to do 500 miles these days. Keep in mind that's 2 or more tanks of fuel and then it looks a bit less alarming I think

 

I wouldn’t say there’s a massive amount, wet looking spot is where oil is at, I am sports cat too which would increase some soot.

 

Have you dropped the oil and changed it since purchasing?
It's the first thing I do when buying one of these, as you don't really know what's it the belly. Honda even put 0w oil in one of my previous s2000s by mistake! That cost them a free change.

 

I have 2 including a boosted one

Neither look like that (just water in the second one)

 

after driving to work it’s all evaporated, on second thought it was probably water from rain at some point in the night.