Dragon Curve

Hey guys,

I'm actually just about to buy a 2000 S2000 here in Australia (very pricey here too).

I just had a vehicle inspection done on it and it came back with a valve train ticking noise. I actually heard the noise intermitently when I test drove it a few days ago and it only really occurred occasionally during idle and low revs.

The report also indicated that the engine oil was very low and also discoloured. The owner then topped up the oil apparently and the clicking noise disappeared (though I haven't actually tested it again for myself).

My concerns are that it was last serviced at 30,000km by Honda and it's at 36,500km now - and it's lost that much oil in that time. I'm worried there may be an oil leak.

My other concern is what could have possibly been damaged due to that low oil level etc.

It's been driven by a middle aged woman and 36,000 km in 4 years is rather low so I'm assuming it hasn't been driven hard and just hasn't had the oil checked regularly but I'm still very wary about it.

Can anyone give me any advice on what that noise meant, whether that or the low oil could have caused any damage and if it's normal to use that much oil?

-DragonCurve

P.S. I think 1.6 kilometres = 1 mile

RACER

According to your post, it has been 4,030 miles since it has been last serviced. This engine would have to lose quite a bit of oil to cause valve train noise. These cars do typically lose oil and is normal, but not that much. You also stated that it was dis-colored. I don't know what you mean by that, but it should not be dis-colored in 4,030 miles, maybe a little bit dark.

I have read a few horror stories where someone buys a used S2K that was really low on oil at one point, then blew up 2-3 months later. This is a high performance sportscar that requires TLC. (tender, love and care) I realize that it was only driven 22,630 miles in 4 years, which is a mere 5,657.5 miles per year which is nothing. The question is, was this thing well taken care of???

I personally would stay away from an S2K that was that low on oil as it could be a ticking time bomb. What kind of warranty does the car have, any??? Even if it comes with a warranty, keep in mind that if it blows 2-3 months after you purchase it, Honda may deny warranty coverage claiming abuse or improper maintenance (even though it was run low on oil by previous owner) or both. They might be able to prove that it was run low on oil at one time , I don't know. Even though it was abused by the previous owner, Honda may pass the responsibility on you.

You don't want to go through all that do you?

Dragon Curve

An update on the saga. Seems the owner didn't actually have it serviced at 30,000 but at 26,000 and it didn't get it serviced again since, because they were selling it.

They do sound honest and I don't believe the woman would have driven the car hard, but I'm still very worried about whether or not the low oil level could have possibly damaged the car in any way.

RACER

It does not necessarily matter on whether or not the owner drove the car hard. I am concerned about, did she properly maintain and care for her car??? We just went from 4,030 miles since the last service to 6,200 miles since she last checked the oil level.

36,500 kilometers minus 26,000 kilometers = 6,200 miles. I believe the owner is being sincere with you, but you have to realize, you HAVE to check the oil in these things. 6,200 miles is quite a few miles in between oil changes. The thing is, the F20C could lose quite a bit of oil in 6,200 miles resulting in substantial damage.

IMO I would stay away from this car.

jankemi

Yes it could have. I'd a stay away form that car.