highligter

I'm going to check out a MY00 s2000 with low miles, around 10k. I will be doing the inspection myself. I have experience with other cars, but not hondas. I'm sure I will be able to figure out my questions once I look around the car, but I figure it will be beneficial to get some info before hand.

I will be checking the differential/tranny fluid, doing a compression test, checking spark plugs, and all seals for leakage.

so.. will I be able to check the fluid levels without making a mess? where should I look for access, and what type/size bolt will I have to remove?

What diameter spark plugs does the S use? I'm assuming the plugs are under the black cover attached by hex screws to the valve cover?

Anything else I should be checking besides what I listed above?

Slows2k

The car will need to be in the air to check the trans and diff fluid. You'll need a 3/8 drive ratchet for the trans, and a 23mm wrench for the diff. As long as you don'y remove the drain plugs, you shouldn't make a mess.

Spark plugs are 5/8, and you'll need a 6" extension to reach them. The coil cover and coils need to be removed to access the plugs.

highligter

Thanks for the info.. that's pretty much what I needed to hear.

Also, is confirming the fluid levels a sufficient check on the tranny and diff? With such low miles, I imagine it might be. I know they have never been changed.

oops almost forgot to ask.. how high should the fluid levels be? Is there a general rule of thumbs to check these?

last.. I seem to remember reading torque specs on the spark plugs was 18 lbs. Is there a spec for the tranny and diff bolts?

Thanks.

Slows2k

Both the trans and diff fluid should be at the bottom of the fill plugs, with the car level. I'd expect both the be fairly clear, because you won't be draining them.

There are Fluid change threads in the FAQ at the top of the forum which go into more detail.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=108435

highligter

ok thanks a lot!

CoralDoc

Also, the MY 2000 cars should have had a spark plug "recall" performed. If the car has not had this done, be sure to do it because some plugs loosened and blew out of the cylinders! Also, MY 2000 and 2001 cars had pretty noisy clutch discs. The noise was very apparent upon deceleration. The newer discs are much quieter, but it's a pain to drop the transmission for the replacement. The car is well out of warrantee, so you may need to do or pay for any of this work.

On such a low mileage car, I wouldn't even bother with checking the transmission and differential fluid. Of greater importance would be to chat with the owner and get a sense of how the car was driven and its repair and maintenance history. If the mileage is accurate and it looks like you may have found a nice car.