2004 Honda S2000 — coolant is old by age but mileage is low
2004 Honda S2000, about 228,000 miles. The vehicle has relatively few miles but the coolant is several years old.
40 replies
Log the conditions before you spend. Swap the cheap/easy piece first on the 2004 Honda S2000 and see if the fault moves. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. On “coolant is old by age but mileage,” that was the fork that mattered for me. I'd want a dollar figure or a measured spec, not 'should be fine.' I keep a notes app thread for this now.
I hear you, though I'd still want a second check. If a shop can't duplicate it on the 2004 Honda S2000, bring a video plus freeze-frame data, not just a story. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. On “coolant is old by age but mileage,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2004 Honda S2000 in Miami with 228,000 miles. Did the worksheet show tax yet? If your situation is the opposite, ignore me. If that fails I'll eat the diagnostic fee.
I wouldn't throw parts yet. Swap the cheap/easy piece first on the 2004 Honda S2000 and see if the fault moves. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. If the story changes I'll post the new data.
I wouldn't throw parts yet. Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2004 Honda S2000 does it — then decide on parts. That's the branch I'd chase this week. Write the result down so the next test isn't a repeat of the last one. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
This is usually cheaper to test than to guess. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2004 Honda S2000 is losing coolant with no puddle. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. If it doesn't change the out-the-door or the repair estimate, it's noise. Make the next action something you can finish this week. I already checked the easy fluid levels.
I'd want a measurement, not a hunch. Two 2004 Honda S2000s can feel identical and have different causes, so measure before you copy someone else's repair. That's the branch I'd chase this week. Do that first. I'd rather pay for diagnosis than a second guess-repair.
OP here — recorded a short video and noted speed, temp, and whether it was in gear. Not driving it hard until I know more.
Log the conditions before you spend. Get a real battery/charging test on the 2004 Honda S2000, not just resting voltage, before blaming a module. That's the branch I'd chase this week. On “coolant is old by age but mileage,” that was the fork that mattered for me. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. I already checked the easy fluid levels.
This is usually cheaper to test than to guess. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2004 Honda S2000 is losing coolant with no puddle. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. This is from a 2004 Honda S2000 in Miami with 228,000 miles. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. I already checked the easy fluid levels.
If it were in my driveway, capture voltage while the 2004 Honda S2000 is actually failing — after it restarts you've lost the clue. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. This is from a 2004 Honda S2000 in Miami with 228,000 miles. That's the whole play. Happens in gear, not in park, for what that's worth.
Intermittent stuff lies if you only catch it once. Move a coil or plug on the 2004 Honda S2000 if it's cylinder-specific and see whether the code follows. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. On “coolant is old by age but mileage,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Run the total, not the monthly, before you commit. I'd rather pay for diagnosis than a second guess-repair.
Log the conditions before you spend. Two 2004 Honda S2000s can feel identical and have different causes, so measure before you copy someone else's repair. That's the branch I'd chase this week. On “coolant is old by age but mileage,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Any freeze-frame data saved? This is the version I'd tell a friend.
OP update: scanned the 2004 Honda S2000 again and still only have the one pending code, no new lights. Video is ugly but it shows the hesitation.
Ask what changed right before it started. Get a real battery/charging test on the 2004 Honda S2000, not just resting voltage, before blaming a module. That's the branch I'd chase this week. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. That's coming from doing this as an owner, not a shop. Trying not to diagnose from the couch.
I wouldn't throw parts yet. Two 2004 Honda S2000s can feel identical and have different causes, so measure before you copy someone else's repair. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. When does it actually happen? Worth doing even if the car feels fine right now. Cold start is when I can actually reproduce it.
I hear you, though I'd still want a second check. Capture voltage while the 2004 Honda S2000 is actually failing — after it restarts you've lost the clue. That's the branch I'd chase this week. Was this after sitting overnight? Not trying to scare you — just skip the expensive first guess. Video is ugly but it shows the hesitation.
Start with the test that can prove you wrong. If a shop can't duplicate it on the 2004 Honda S2000, bring a video plus freeze-frame data, not just a story. That's the branch I'd chase this week. That's the whole play. Your commute and mine probably aren't the same, but the test still applies. This is the version I'd tell a friend.
I'd want a measurement, not a hunch. Capture voltage while the 2004 Honda S2000 is actually failing — after it restarts you've lost the clue. Save the big job until that test fails. Happy to compare notes if your setup is different. I already checked the easy fluid levels.
OP update: scanned the 2004 Honda S2000 again and still only have the one pending code, no new lights. Parking it somewhere I can hear it better next time.
Not convinced that's the whole story. Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2004 Honda S2000 does it — then decide on parts. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. Happy to compare notes if your setup is different. Worth doing even if the car feels fine right now. I refuse to clear codes until someone else sees them.
Ask what changed right before it started. Get a real battery/charging test on the 2004 Honda S2000, not just resting voltage, before blaming a module. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. Keep sale price, fees, and rate as three different conversations. Next check is the cheap one I can do in a driveway.
Asking because it changes the advice: A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2004 Honda S2000 is losing coolant with no puddle. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. This is from a 2004 Honda S2000 in Miami with 228,000 miles. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. Not interested in a five-hour wait for a shrug.
This is usually cheaper to test than to guess. Get a real battery/charging test on the 2004 Honda S2000, not just resting voltage, before blaming a module. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. Was this after sitting overnight? Make the next action something you can finish this week. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
I wouldn't throw parts yet. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2004 Honda S2000 is losing coolant with no puddle. That's the branch I'd chase this week. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. Trying not to diagnose from the couch.
This is usually cheaper to test than to guess. Two 2004 Honda S2000s can feel identical and have different causes, so measure before you copy someone else's repair. That's the branch I'd chase this week. Write the result down so the next test isn't a repeat of the last one. I already checked the easy fluid levels.
Intermittent stuff lies if you only catch it once. Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2004 Honda S2000 does it — then decide on parts. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. On “coolant is old by age but mileage,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2004 Honda S2000 in Miami with 228,000 miles. When does it actually happen? This is the filter I use when the thread starts repeating itself. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
I'd want a measurement, not a hunch. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2004 Honda S2000 is losing coolant with no puddle. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. That's the whole play. I'd sleep better after that step, even if it finds nothing. No warning lights, which is why I'm documenting it.
I hear you, though I'd still want a second check. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2004 Honda S2000 is losing coolant with no puddle. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. Did the worksheet show tax yet? Only after sitting overnight so far.
Ask what changed right before it started. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2004 Honda S2000 is losing coolant with no puddle. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. Did the worksheet show tax yet? That's coming from doing this as an owner, not a shop. Parking it somewhere I can hear it better next time.
Log the conditions before you spend. If a shop can't duplicate it on the 2004 Honda S2000, bring a video plus freeze-frame data, not just a story. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. On “coolant is old by age but mileage,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. Trying not to diagnose from the couch.
Not convinced that's the whole story. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2004 Honda S2000 is losing coolant with no puddle. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. Was this after sitting overnight? I'll update if anything new shows up.
I'd want a measurement, not a hunch. Swap the cheap/easy piece first on the 2004 Honda S2000 and see if the fault moves. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
Same neighborhood, different next step: Two 2004 Honda S2000s can feel identical and have different causes, so measure before you copy someone else's repair. That's the branch I'd chase this week. This is from a 2004 Honda S2000 in Miami with 228,000 miles. Was this after sitting overnight? I'd sleep better after that step, even if it finds nothing. Trying not to diagnose from the couch.
I went back under the 2004 Honda S2000 and it only happens after a heat soak, not on a cold start. Not driving it hard until I know more.
I wouldn't throw parts yet. Capture voltage while the 2004 Honda S2000 is actually failing — after it restarts you've lost the clue. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. Your commute and mine probably aren't the same, but the test still applies. Only after sitting overnight so far.
This is usually cheaper to test than to guess. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2004 Honda S2000 is losing coolant with no puddle. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. Only after sitting overnight so far.
I hear you, though I'd still want a second check. If a shop can't duplicate it on the 2004 Honda S2000, bring a video plus freeze-frame data, not just a story. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. Run the total, not the monthly, before you commit. I'd rather be boring and correct. I'll poke at it this weekend.
Start with the test that can prove you wrong. If a shop can't duplicate it on the 2004 Honda S2000, bring a video plus freeze-frame data, not just a story. Save the big job until that test fails. This is from a 2004 Honda S2000 in Miami with 228,000 miles. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. Not driving it hard until I know more.
Agree — and I'd add this: Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2004 Honda S2000 does it — then decide on parts. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. I'd sleep better after that step, even if it finds nothing. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
Quick add on that: Get a real battery/charging test on the 2004 Honda S2000, not just resting voltage, before blaming a module. Save the big job until that test fails. On “coolant is old by age but mileage,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Do that first. Cold start is when I can actually reproduce it.
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