Mad Mart

On my way to work this morning I heard a knocking noise from under the bonnet of the S, which gradually grew louder, so I pulled into a layby & lifted the bonnet, then quickly switched the engine off. My first thought, TBH, was big ends (fearing the worst). Anyway, I called the AA and the nice man reckoned it was a top end noise & towed me to my Bro-in-law's garage. I did mention about towing the S as I couldn't remember the does & don'ts, so he checked on his computer and also rang their technical dept. but it seems it's OK to do so with all four wheels on the ground.

At the garage my Bro-in-Law couldn't get the coil/spark plug tube on no.2 cylinder to come off. Eventually, after a lot of heaving & twisting, it came out...with the plug attached The spark plug was a right mess with the ceramic part wobbling around. The bottom of the plug tube was knacked as well. Apparently none of the plugs were tight but they did get tighter when removing them (due to carbon build-up on the threads?). So now I have to get a set of plugs & a new coil/spark plug tube plus the threads in the head on 2 & 4 look a bit knackered...happy days.

Bibbs

Another with loose plugs

Glad it wasn't any more terminal for you though!

I believe it shouldn't have been towed though. I've heard LSD's only like being driven from the engine, and not from the wheels.

AquilaEagle

Denso?

MB

I think this plugs thing is getting a little bit too common for my liking.

That's four in about 3 months by my reckoning.

A loose plug at best will lose you compression on that cylinder, at worst the plug will vibrate to bits and the engine may try and eat it - game over.

The manual states that a flatbed is the only acceptable method of towing. It says its to prevent any spoiler / bumper damage due to the car being low, rather than any diff damage - but I wouldn't be happy with it being dragged on the back wheels for diff reasons!

Really would like to know what plugs they are.

RISLAR

Do you think it could be because they are not getting tightened enough, as there was a update to the procedure? Here's the link:

https://www.s2ki.com/stor/library/TSB/A02-042/index.htm

MB

It could well be.

Could also be a poor threadform - or something else going on.

I'd like to see some pics and plug type. Also, who fitted them?

RISLAR

ON all 4!!! i would deffo look at who fitted them! kin hell could have been serious!!

Dembo

I have experience of the AA and the S (twice), and they know full well that it needs to go on a flat bed. Both times the patrolmen said it before I did.

MASTER_TECH

Honda carried out a recall on 00-02 s2000's due to spark plugs coming loose, they changed the sealing gasket as it would deteriorate and allow the plugs to loosen, they changed the plug's and ensured they were being torqued down to 25n/m.

MB

Yep, its this one:

https://www.s2ki.com/stor/library/TSB/A02-042/index.htm

Has your VIN been centrepunched, Mart?

Masterchappie, I presume the TSB linked above reads as per the UK one?