S2000 Under The Hood S2000 Technical and Mechanical discussions.

P0300, P0301, P0303, rough start up & coolant smell

Thread Tools
 
Old 04-18-2020, 05:23 AM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
mrlegoman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 20
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default P0300, P0301, P0303, rough start up & coolant smell

Just bought a new-to-me S2k with 115k on the chassis and less then ~5k on a new engine. I've only driven the car a dozen times or so. On cold startups I've noticed the engine is a little rough starting, and there is a noticeable whiff of coolant. I have not been able to get anyone to stand in the back and see if any smoke comes out during startup. But after warm up, no smoke and the engine seems to purr normally. As of yesterday, CEL came on and codes read:

P0301 MISFIRE No. 1 CYLINDER
P0303 MISFIRE No. 3 CYLINDER
P0300 RANDOM MISFIRE

With the whiff of coolant during startup, I originally thought it may be a leakage in the heater core dripping inside the ducts (this happened in an 95 BMW I had). But with this CEL, I'm now concerned it could be a head gasket issue, but was doubtful with it being a fresh engine. But I do not have any (noticeable) loss of coolant. And no noticeable smoke while idle. Are the two issues even related?

AutoZone suggests I need to replace my VVT.

Car has a CAI and coilovers. No other mods.
Old 04-18-2020, 06:18 AM
  #2  
Member (Premium)
 
Chuck S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Chesterfield VA
Posts: 12,881
Received 1,253 Likes on 1,094 Posts
Default

Whiff of coolant ain't normal. Got time to send an oil sample to Blackstone Labs?

Could easily be another bungled rebuild. "~5k on a new engine" and "doubtful with it being a fresh engine" don't mean nothing. There's one, maybe two active threads regarding rebuild failures.

-- Chuck
Old 04-19-2020, 04:08 AM
  #3  

 
rpg51's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Vermont
Posts: 3,297
Received 256 Likes on 219 Posts
Default

Your going to have to diagnose those codes. Could be a million different things. The coolant smell might be a huge clue. I'd try to chase that down first. That might bring you directly to what is causing the codes and the symptoms.
What do you know about the motor? Who built it? How was it built?
Old 04-24-2020, 06:04 PM
  #4  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
mrlegoman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 20
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by Chuck S
Whiff of coolant ain't normal. Got time to send an oil sample to Blackstone Labs?

Could easily be another bungled rebuild. "~5k on a new engine" and "doubtful with it being a fresh engine" don't mean nothing. There's one, maybe two active threads regarding rebuild failures.

-- Chuck
Yup, I just got some blackstone packs in. Just changed the oil less then 100 miles ago. Will that matter?
Old 04-25-2020, 10:47 AM
  #5  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
mrlegoman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 20
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by rpg51
What do you know about the motor? Who built it? How was it built?
I did get a sales slip from the previous owner via the dealer I bought it from. I'll go fine it, but iirc it looked to be a crate motor. Also, in car, the block and head looked new. Working backwards from the car fax, I estimated the motor to have ~1000-5000 miles on it. One of the reasons I bought the car was because I thought this engine was new.....
Old 04-25-2020, 10:49 AM
  #6  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
mrlegoman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 20
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I think my suspicions are confirmed. Coolant in the 1, 2, & 3 cylinders while setting.


I guess now I get to learn how to replace a head gasket.....

Last edited by mrlegoman; 04-25-2020 at 10:52 AM.
Old 04-25-2020, 01:43 PM
  #7  
Member (Premium)
 
Chuck S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Chesterfield VA
Posts: 12,881
Received 1,253 Likes on 1,094 Posts
Default

Got the service manual? I do and just reviewed the procedure -- and I wouldn't attempt it! Find a S2000 specialist.

-- Chuck
Old 04-25-2020, 02:47 PM
  #8  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
mrlegoman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 20
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by rpg51
What do you know about the motor? Who built it? How was it built?
Found out it was a reman from AAA Motors. It is only six months old. And it is supposed to have a 2 year warranty, but I doubt that warranty transfers through different owners.
Old 04-25-2020, 04:03 PM
  #9  

 
rpg51's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Vermont
Posts: 3,297
Received 256 Likes on 219 Posts
Default

Consider finding a good used motor. Might be throwing good money after bad with that motor.
Old 04-25-2020, 05:09 PM
  #10  
Gold Member (Premium)
 
windhund116's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 10,643
Received 1,539 Likes on 1,043 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by mrlegoman
I think my suspicions are confirmed. Coolant in the 1, 2, & 3 cylinders while setting.


I guess now I get to learn how to replace a head gasket.....
Not sure what that photo is? Do a radiator pressure test, to see if combustion gases are leaking into the coolant?



Quick Reply: P0300, P0301, P0303, rough start up & coolant smell



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:38 PM.