I bought my S2000 new from an approved Honda dealer in Edinburgh last May. I have concerns regarding the gearbox;

Shifting from 1st to 2nd and, 2nd to 3rd gives a nasty clunking/crunching sound. This sometimes happens in all gear "up-shifts", never on the down, but is Always worst going form 1st to 2nd gear.

I have asked the head mechanic at the dealership and he keeps telling me that its just an S2000 thing?

I have driven many cars but this is my first S2000 so don't know if he is right or just giving me excuses???

Any thoughts?

 

My gearbox definitely doesn't crunch...

 

Mine crunches a little when going from 1st to 2nd, but ONLY when cold. Occasionally it jumps out of first when stony cold. I've found that if I change into neutral, then first (double declutch?) it's fine.

I raised this at a service and the tecnician took the time to show me a diagram of the gearbox internals. There is a complex syncromesh arrangement designed to cope with 9k rpm changes which I did not understand, and this can make the the box temperamental, he said! If yours crunches when warm, though, I'd kick up a fuss.

Some people change the gearbox oil, I think, and report that this helps, but I've learned to live with mine. It's a feature!!

 

Basically correct - the later cars have triple cone syncros on both 1st & 2nd, IIRC.

2nd only in the originals.

Ealry cars cold crunch 1-2nd in full VTEC accelerations, unless you keep a deliberat pressure on 2nd.

When cold, it does require deliberate pressure & a blip 3-2nd.

The box is a little stiff in cold weather, but a slightly patient technique is required.

I've got sump oil in the 'Lude's cog box (thanks Honda!) & it's only the longer throw that makes it any easier really.

If one is patient & has good timing, the S2000's should be one finger changes when warm. But 1 & 2 will still be stiffer, becase of the extra cone.

 

sounds a lot like sychros to me... very similar problem on the scoobies (WRX esp.) with 1st and 2nd meshes. sucks though as the job to fix is seriously labour intensive. we have pulled one or two gearboxes from the S2k's at a shop i owned in SA (NxGen Performance). it's a monster...

you should def look to getting a fix though. if the teeth on the sychro bust off - kiss you box goodnight!

 

I've just got a MY05 ... it is bad from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd.

Worse when cold but still not too good warm unless you take your time! My previous S2K, a MY04 was also notchy but not this bad - it seems they all vary; some being good but probably 50% with 'issues'. I think it is just the way they are, though I will mention it when it gets a service shortly.

If you do a search there are loads of threads both praising the gearbox and complaining about it's notchiness .....

 

gear box should not crunch
notchy sounds normal though
before condeming the gear box check clutch operation, ie not draging, and check it has the correct oil in as too thick an oil will cause gear change problems

 

My 05 box (in my 02 car) is notchy from 1 to 2 when cold, but apart from that this is the best gearbox you will find in any car, ever. IMO

 

My MY00 was really notchy,especially from cold and used to clunk a lot when changing gear,I've driven a few S's and they all seem to do it,some worse than others,its a great box but im driving a CTR at the mo and that box is much better,its slicker and the throw is about the same...

 

I like your enthusiasm but its not THAT good, MK3 MR2 is much nicer for
example.

Russ.