Blew 2nd gear in stock S2000
05-08-2022, 03:35 PM
#21
I've always wondered why the rear diff fluid gets so much dirtier than the MTF.
I know it's half the capacity (0.78qt) of the MTF (little less than 2qt), so it should get dirtier quicker cuz much less volume... but my MTF always comes out crystal clear and like-new, while the diff fluid is always muddy and black, whenever I do fluid changes.
I do it every 30k miles, both MTF and rear diff fluid at the same time.... since I drive like granny, never take long trips, don't track the car and rarely even hit vtec, lol.
Perhaps it's the viscosity (and/or chemical/ingredient makeup) too? ...as the diff fluid is super thick (I use Mobil 75w-140).
I know it's half the capacity (0.78qt) of the MTF (little less than 2qt), so it should get dirtier quicker cuz much less volume... but my MTF always comes out crystal clear and like-new, while the diff fluid is always muddy and black, whenever I do fluid changes.
I do it every 30k miles, both MTF and rear diff fluid at the same time.... since I drive like granny, never take long trips, don't track the car and rarely even hit vtec, lol.
Perhaps it's the viscosity (and/or chemical/ingredient makeup) too? ...as the diff fluid is super thick (I use Mobil 75w-140).
Last edited by windhund116; 05-09-2022 at 03:53 AM.
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Jah2000 (05-09-2022)
05-09-2022, 01:32 AM
#22
Transmission fluid should be GL4. GL5 has more extreme pressure additives and is more suited to the diff. In practice you can use a GL5 so long as the viscosity is correct. There is a myth that GL5 attacks yellow metals like brass synchros, I haven't seen anything like that. That said Honda MTF is a GL4 fluid with the viscosity of a 5w-20 motor oil, the corresponding GL(gear lubricant) grade is 75w80
05-09-2022, 04:51 AM
#23
Thanks. First time I've seen the GL4 reference and the Honda MTF bottle and spec sheet is mute on this. Apparently this topic has been around here forever with notes from 2003 indicating Honda MTF is GL4 but only secondary sources. "GL4" does not appear in either the owner's or service manuals but Honda wants us to use Honda MTF 08798-9031 which replaced 08798-9016 several years ago.
-- Chuck
-- Chuck
05-09-2022, 12:12 PM
#24
Honda MTF and most synchromesh fluids are practically automatic transmission fluid, makes sense, since they're derived from ATF. Royal Purple synchromax and Pennzoil synchromesh are very very close to ATF.
A. The four MTL fluids closest to a Kinematic Viscosity of 6.1 (About the same viscosity as a DexronVI) or so are: 1. Castrol Syntrans FE 75W, 2. BMW (Pentosin) MTF-LT-3, 3. Honda MTII or MTF 2. 4. Ford FML-XT-11-QDC B. The next higher viscosity MTL would be the 7.5 cSt versions (About the same viscosity as a DexronIII) 1. Royal Purple's Synchromax 2. Ravenol MTF-2 3. Honda MTF 4. VW part number G052512A2 5. GM Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid 6. BMW (Pentosin) MTF-LT-1, 2 C. The next higher viscosity MTL would be Castrol Syntrans V FE 75W-80 8.0cSt D. The next higher viscosity MTL would be BG Synchroshift II 8.2 cSt E. The next higher viscosity is Mopar Type MS-9417 MTL 9.0cSt F. The next higher viscosity MTL would be Pennzoil Synchromesh 9.3 cSt G. The next group of MTL’s are in the 10.x cSt range are: 1. Redline MTL 70W80. 2. Amsoil MTL 3. GM Synchromeshs’ 4. Volvo MTF 645 5. Ford Motor Craft XT-M5-QS H. The next higher viscosity MTL would be: 1. Redline MT-85 – 12.0 cSt I. The next higher viscosity MTLs would be: 1. Amsoil MTG 14.5 cSt 2. Redline MT-90 15.6 cSt 3. Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle 75W-90
A. The four MTL fluids closest to a Kinematic Viscosity of 6.1 (About the same viscosity as a DexronVI) or so are: 1. Castrol Syntrans FE 75W, 2. BMW (Pentosin) MTF-LT-3, 3. Honda MTII or MTF 2. 4. Ford FML-XT-11-QDC B. The next higher viscosity MTL would be the 7.5 cSt versions (About the same viscosity as a DexronIII) 1. Royal Purple's Synchromax 2. Ravenol MTF-2 3. Honda MTF 4. VW part number G052512A2 5. GM Manual Transmission and Transfer Case Fluid 6. BMW (Pentosin) MTF-LT-1, 2 C. The next higher viscosity MTL would be Castrol Syntrans V FE 75W-80 8.0cSt D. The next higher viscosity MTL would be BG Synchroshift II 8.2 cSt E. The next higher viscosity is Mopar Type MS-9417 MTL 9.0cSt F. The next higher viscosity MTL would be Pennzoil Synchromesh 9.3 cSt G. The next group of MTL’s are in the 10.x cSt range are: 1. Redline MTL 70W80. 2. Amsoil MTL 3. GM Synchromeshs’ 4. Volvo MTF 645 5. Ford Motor Craft XT-M5-QS H. The next higher viscosity MTL would be: 1. Redline MT-85 – 12.0 cSt I. The next higher viscosity MTLs would be: 1. Amsoil MTG 14.5 cSt 2. Redline MT-90 15.6 cSt 3. Castrol Syntrans Multivehicle 75W-90
05-10-2022, 12:37 AM
#25
Registered User
Indirectly related, I found the S2000 gear shift to be quite notchy compared to my recently sold MX5 (NC), THAT gear change was the best I have EVER used on any car regardless of price.
05-10-2022, 02:25 AM
#26
Weird since they both use Aisin transmissions.
05-10-2022, 04:53 AM
#28
Our cars don't shift smoothly when clutch doesn't fully disengage, and not fully disengaging is one of this cars few fiddly bits. There are several things that can cause that.
Primarily its air or contamination in fluid, clutch rod adjustment, then old or wrong or not enough grease on splines (or corroded unsmooth splines) or worn release bearing guide.
Primarily its air or contamination in fluid, clutch rod adjustment, then old or wrong or not enough grease on splines (or corroded unsmooth splines) or worn release bearing guide.
05-10-2022, 05:06 AM
#29
Registered User
I am afraid to let the Honda dealer touch, car has 23,XXX orginal miles 
In any case, I purchased another one, a one owner car with 60K miles on the Odometer that had been serviced by the dealer, this way I will have another one to compare against.
In any case, I purchased another one, a one owner car with 60K miles on the Odometer that had been serviced by the dealer, this way I will have another one to compare against.
05-10-2022, 05:39 AM
#30
I would stay far, far away from any dealer for service. Most have limited experience with this car, and all dealers have a nothing is ever their fault attitude.
Even dealer that has someone that knows S, will that tech work on your car? Will only that tech work on your car?
This car doesn't need THAT much special care and Knowledge, but there are definitely areas where treating it like every other Honda that rolls in the shop can break the car.
Even dealer that has someone that knows S, will that tech work on your car? Will only that tech work on your car?
This car doesn't need THAT much special care and Knowledge, but there are definitely areas where treating it like every other Honda that rolls in the shop can break the car.