I have been looking to buy an s2000 for quite some time. Of all the s2000's i've seen, i've finally came across an AP2 that has the engine cover paint severely cracked and peeling to the point that almost all the paint is gone. I have never seen an s2000 that had its engine cover paint peel like that. Now my question: is this something to worry about? Has anyone had their engine cover paint flake/peel off at all? Kinda make me question the overall quality/condition of this specific car mechanically even though it is cosmetic. What are you thoughts?

 

I have seen many valve covers with peeling paint. Once I see that the valve cover is peeling I usually just stay away from that car; however, I doubt that peeling paint has any correlation with mechanical health. There could be many reasons why the paint is peeling, but you can confirm the car's health by getting it inspected. If the price is right, don't let a peeling valve cover steer you away. When you get the valve adjustment done, just sand it away and respray it with your favorite color.

 

My wife 2000 AP1 valve cover paint is peeling, the car only has 85K miles.

 

Why would you "stay away" from a car with an imperfect valve cover????
Most cars don't paint valve covers because it is an ENGINE. Not the cleanest area of a car to say the least. Add the fact that flaking on these covers are VERY common which points to fact that whatever process Honda used to paint covers cannot survive over time. Not to mention that it is a magnet for grease and oil from mechanic's hands.

Point is that why avoid a S2000 that may be perfect mechanically in every way because of a cosmetic issue????

My 50k 2002 S2000 had one previous adult owner in their 40s from Westport Connecticut and had some flaking on it. WHY would anyone look past this car for a highly styled S2000 that changed hands 5 or 6 times through a bunch of youngins who torture these cars????

 

Purely cosmetic and nothing to worry about Mine was real bad but I used some paint stripper and took it back to bare metal and refurbed it at home. VHT wrinkle paint is available on eBay or from auto parts stores, does a perfect job. Just be sure to follow the instructions to the letter. application is critical to get a good finish

 

"Why would you "stay away" from a car with an imperfect valve cover????"

I guess because most of the peeling valve covers that I seen belonged to cars with grimy engine bays; grimy engine bays is a sign for lack of care.

 

[quote name='Gotpepsi' timestamp='1417112371' post='23420036']
"Why would you "stay away" from a car with an imperfect valve cover????"

I guess because most of the peeling valve covers that I seen belonged to cars with grimy engine bays; grimy engine bays is a sign for lack of care.
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Not the best example of deductive reasoning but there may be some cause and effect assuming engine bay is grimy due to lack of care. However, I have seen some very clean and well cared for s2000 engine bays that the PAINTED valve cover was flaking off while the rest looked mint. That was my point.
Deducing that a car is poorly cared for based on a flaking painted valve cover is silly......

 

Made out of aluminum, correct? Seen many with oxidized surfaces. I would just clean off the bad paint & surface issues. Repaint.

Gooky engine bay prolly due to bad valve cover gasket (or other gaskets, O-rings) and not due to bad engine. Check out some old Mercedes Diesel engine bays. In some, you can't even FIND the valve cover, let alone know its condition. Yet, those cars last a million miles. Or some such ridiculous mileage.


Hey! Happy Turkey Day. For all us turkeys.
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I've seen a couple of early AP1s with this issue, it would be a turnoff to a potential buyer but I don't think it speaks for the whole car.

 

I wouldn't be concerned abiut peeling paint on the valve cover. What's more important is what is under the cover.