First repair on my S2000 - maybe.

[repiv]

It's a year 2000 S2000, with about 74,000 KMs (46K+ miles), purchased brand new, 4-seasons daily driver*. (See my sig for what's been done to it.) This is the very first thing that has shown a sign that it needs repair. I've taken care of the car extremely well (maintenance wise), but I haven't exactly "babied" it, either. So far, nothing has broken on it that I didn't break myself doing all the things I've done to it.

The clutch master cylinder has started to leak into the footwell inside the car. I'm still monitoring the situation as it might still be due to me manipulating the slave cylinder too much when I was doing the tranny swap & clutch job. I've changed the fluid (about 3 years old now but still checked out fine on a tester last year) to see if this will improve anything, but if it continues to seep, I'll replace it. The complete master cylinder is relatively cheap (about $100.00) and the service manual indicates it's a very easy job.

And they say a year 2000 S2000 was a bad year. :crazy: In my book, a $100.00 fix in nearly 7 years is pretty darn good. I've had brand new Vettes that started to fall apart after 6 months.

*By "daily driver", I mean I drive anywhere I need to drive it, regardless of weather, road conditions. It's been driven a few blocks down the road for milk and home again and it's been driven thousands of miles on vacations many times. I'll bring home lumber from Home Depot and bags of dirt in the trunk. And through enough snow to completely fill the grill opening. The only reason I don't have more miles on it is because I walk to work.

[JonBoy]

If you need DIY instructions, I can help. :D

[repiv]

If you need DIY instructions, I can help. :D
:p Thanks.

[desmo4]

Considering everything, my 2000 car also has an excellent maintenance record with 86k miles. I have recently been replacing some of the seals and gaskets which have dried out over the years but besides the LSD there have been no other issues.

Jonathan

[Jesuis]

If you need DIY instructions, I can help. :D

Nice.

[ajay]

Try the vipers den. :duh:

[Looter]

:rolleyes: We have a "GREAT" car...don't we....!!!! ?????:thumbup:

[frank b]

I would take it right back to the dealer. You don't have any mods. Right? :D

[valentine]

I think its time to trade that puppy in on a new model. Its totally ridiculous that you should be having problems with this car!!! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: You know I'm just kidding. :thumbup: :thumbup: to a great little car.

[repiv]

I had a fairly extensive drive this morning, with lots and lots of clutch action. So far, no sign of any fluid seeping out. It may turn out this bloody car simply will not break. :duh: (Still monitoring.)



:o

[bish79]

So who is this "they" that says the 2000 model year is a bad year? And what do they say is "bad" about it? I have had great luck with mine and I beat the living crap out of it (autocrossing of course). Granted there is the diff that needs to be replaced but that's just b/c I have a little bit more power than stock :drivingskid:

Anyways, I was just wondering if I should be expecting problems or what?

[Rocketman]

...it might still be due to me manipulating the slave cylinder too much when I was doing the tranny swap & clutch job.
Note to self....DO NOT overmanipulate the slave cylinder when changing clutch!

Thanks Dave. Once again, your experience is helping others in need :thumbup:

[repiv]

So who is this "they" that says the 2000 model year is a bad year? And what do they say is "bad" about it? I have had great luck with mine and I beat the living crap out of it (autocrossing of course). Granted there is the diff that needs to be replaced but that's just b/c I have a little bit more power than stock :drivingskid:

Anyways, I was just wondering if I should be expecting problems or what?

Well, for some time now, when people post to ask about "this" year or "that" year and which is the "best" year to buy, invariably, someone posts up, "Stay away from year 2000 or 2001". I've always wondered myself where the heck do people come with this garbage. Then recently, I read a post (elsewhere) where someone stated that he read something in Comsumer Reports or Edmunds (can't remember which exactly now) that indicated that the year 2000 S2000 was the "worse" reliable. They cited "engine problems".

[repiv]

Note to self....DO NOT overmanipulate the slave cylinder when changing clutch!

Thanks Dave. Once again, your experience is helping others in need :thumbup:

When I was doing my clutch and tranny, I hung up the slave cylinder with a piece of wire to keep it out of the way. Every time I crawled under there, I noticed the rod kind of bent over and I was afraid it would fall out of its cylinder. So, being the conscientious guy that I am, I pushed the little bugger all the way back in. Slowly the thing would creep out and the next time I looked at it, it was out and bent again. I must have done this over a dozen times during the job. I'm not sure how the fluid returns up the line and into the master cylinder when the master plunger never moves. Typically that plunger moves with the fluid movement. Looking back at it, I think it was a bad idea to shove that slave rod all the way into its cylinder. I don't think that normally, it would move so far. I'm just guessing here and I may never know.

[s2kbobby]

I have a thing about Honda's built in Japan versus the stuff they build here on the continent. So far everything we own is Japanese built and I hope to be albe to stay that way.

I'm glad you haven't switched to the Mini Cooper you were talking about in Seattle. There is something about the S2000 that the other cars just can't match.

[s2keepup]

im gonna refer ppl to this link when they say hondas arent really THAT much more reliable :D

[repiv]

I have a thing about Honda's built in Japan versus the stuff they build here on the continent. So far everything we own is Japanese built and I hope to be albe to stay that way.

I'm glad you haven't switched to the Mini Cooper you were talking about in Seattle. There is something about the S2000 that the other cars just can't match.

Hey, Bobby. How wonderful it is to see you here. :thumbup:
I think the S2000 will stay with me into my retirement. I need something to do to keep my interest up in getting old. The Mini is still a possibility sometime down the road as my daily driver, but then, so is another Honda Fit (wife just got one). A Smart car is also on the list. These won't be considered for some years yet. I'm in the process of sorting out my next motorcycle. So far, the Fit has been superb. It's on it's second tank of gas and she's well over 1000 KMs and not near empty yet.

As an aside, I read your reluctance to come out on the Victoria drive. It would have been nice to see you again, but understandable if you've seen it before and considering the distance you have to travel. Of course, Tofino can still be a place that you can go on your own after the meet is officially done. I'm headed up the Island to Comox afterwards. If you use PM here, shoot me one if you care to talk about it.

[raymo19]

Sorry to hear you're having problems Dave. My clutch MC is acting up too after only 7 trouble free years.

Can't Honda get anything right?:rofl:

[fltsfshr]

I'm sorry you all are having so many problems with your old S2000's :poke:
Mines terrible too.

I've been boosted almost as long as xviper and so far the only things I've broken are the differential and the converter. My clutch has been perfect but I suppose now that I've posted here, it's start to fail the next time I drive it. hmmmm


Guess I'll take it out and drive it like I mean it. Maybe if I'm lucky I can catch up with you guys.
:duh:
fltsfshr

[blownS]

I have a MY00 as well w/60K miles on the clock. Never had anything break...except for the flotation sensor in my brake fluid cylinder. :( Other than that, this car has been BULLETPROOF. :guns:

Honda truly outdid themselves with this one. :thumbup:

[bish79]

When I was doing my clutch and tranny, I hung up the slave cylinder with a piece of wire to keep it out of the way. Every time I crawled under there, I noticed the rod kind of bent over and I was afraid it would fall out of its cylinder. So, being the conscientious guy that I am, I pushed the little bugger all the way back in. Slowly the thing would creep out and the next time I looked at it, it was out and bent again. I must have done this over a dozen times during the job. I'm not sure how the fluid returns up the line and into the master cylinder when the master plunger never moves. Typically that plunger moves with the fluid movement. Looking back at it, I think it was a bad idea to shove that slave rod all the way into its cylinder. I don't think that normally, it would move so far. I'm just guessing here and I may never know.

Perhaps you could just remove the slave cylinder completely... Yeah all of the fluid will drain out but its a great time to change the fluid anyways. That's what I did, and while I was down there I replaced the squishy rubber hose with a steel braided line since I went to the heavier pressure plate.

[repiv]

OK, it's been a few days now and I've driven the car enough to use the clutch lots. IT'S LEAKING. However, it takes quite a bit of time before the fluid works it's way out and show itself as a drop hanging off the piece that the pedal rod goes through. Oh well, I guess I'll have to spend the hundred bucks and fix it.

[Popeye]

I have a thing about Honda's built in Japan versus the stuff they build here on the continent. So far everything we own is Japanese built and I hope to be albe to stay that way.


My wife who works for Honda of America in Marysville will appreciate that :poke: