S2000 Valve Adjustment- Valve Lash

I just wanted to share some valve adjustments thoughts on this S2000.
Also share some how to's and part numbers etc.

[@mickeyhartsell6096]

I have an 02 white S2000 with 158k miles on it. I had a valve adjustment done 3 months ago and I can't believe how much power it has now, I feel like it gained 20hp more just from that. I have had my S2K for 7 years now and will never sale it. I love your videos because you guys teach me so much 💕 I live in Charlotte NC and I'm driving my car down to you guys next spring to check out what it might need, I definitely want the UK exhaust treatment and retainers and keepers done ✔️ thanks for everything you do John. You keep S2000's across America running strong.

[@sanyok7777]

Looks like a small little job for you guys but the information are priceless for us who owns S2000

[@hendrahendra]

or any car with valve lash adjustment.

[@shawnsanchez7105]

That last bit about giving old parts back is exactly why I wish we had more shops like yours. I'm here after watching this video and doing my own valve adjustment because I paid a shop to do it and still heard some ticking. Turns out they didn't even take anything apart, lash was out of spec on 8 out of 16. All they ended up doing is taking my money...

[@LHTPerformance]

That sucks ! I always encourage shops to take pictures. Not only to show the customer your findings but to inspire confidence and trust.

[@SleeperAccord]

Quality content

[@DirtDude117]

I'm glad to see more tech videos from you guys. Great job! I got the Lisle ones (same as Marco) and they work great!

[@themikepotter]

Brilliant information. Very much appreciated and now i feel confident attempting this. Thank you!

[@chrisaponte7298]

John, thank you for all your videos. They help me work on my aging s2000. One day when I have more free time (resident physician, so no free time) I will bring my car to you for maintenance and repairs!

[@iJangoMan1]

The LHT way is the correct way. Awesome work guys! It’s not often that you see work done with this level of care! One day I will bring a Honda to you guys!

[@josecampos2946]

Hopefully when I obtain a Honda S2000, I'll bring it to you for a turbo installation love your work.💯💯

[@bo9dan]

If you'll come to Europe in the near future, my civic would love to meet you , great job guys !!

[@robertjordan9075]

If only they would all be so dedicated to good work. 😎👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@BlueRice]

top notch mechanic!

[@twots22]

Thanks Team!!! From VT

[@tclab1]

Oh ... how I wish you guys weren't 1500 miles away! If you ever come up to Boston ... I have the tools ... I'd absolutely love you to check out my S2000 and do some tweaks.... oh well ... if wishes were horses... beggars would ride! ... no one up here I'd trust to work on the car ... keep the videos coming... loved the trick on the hood do hickie ...

[@bighomieJ5X]

Jon I love when u give us tones of info, I nerd out 🤓, random thought what if the F series had vct gear also how much more awesome would the S2000 be 🤔🤷🏾‍♂️.

[@mickeymcconnell3011]

John giving us some distance learning

[@Rob.Coleman]

Home schooling, LHT style 👍

[@Nathan-gj8ch]

Never worked on the top of a F20/F22c but the layout looks just like the 4Afe in my AE86

[@camlobesvtec]

Excellent very detailed valve lash video. Brother John I need your expert advise, it's a lil off subject. When wiring in a boost controller and traction controller where is a good and safe place to get a switched 12v source from on an rsx? Is it safe to give them both the same 12v source? Thanks

[@oldheadneverlacking7010]

Professionalism

[@zachheath3825]

Bro that's the JDM hood position!

[@prm5798]

Hi John, could you make a video on your opinion on how to deal with K series VTC actuator rattle on start up? Thanks

[@Ayang1125]

Maybe you can make a video on replacing the LMAs? There isnt one out there.

[@deegaw11]

So I finally had the courage to check the valves and do a valve adjustment for my first time. Some of the valves were really tight. So tight I couldn’t even get the gauge in. I adjusted them to spec and quadruple checked it. Now my valves seem kind of noisy. Almost sounds like it needs a valve adjustment where it used to be dead quiet when it idles. I was just wondering if you think any damage could’ve been done with the valves being so tight? I did a compression test and all the numbers came back hood and consistent. Do you think I’m ok? I’m not very mechanically inclined. Just copy diy videos mostly. TIA

[@camlobesvtec]

What valve lash do you recommend on a stock k20a2 turbo 400hp? Intake and exhaust please.

[@aarongoddard2845]

My S2000 has only done 2000 miles since last valve adjustment but that was 3 years ago. Do you recommend another valve adjustment now?

[@abdullah_fardm.9725]

10:59 A lot of years ago I took a family car to a mechanic and during the job he installed dirty used shocks instead of new.

[@BlueRice]

i remember i take my car to many mechanic shop here in socal and they said they dont know how to do s2000 valve adjustment. only one shop are able to do it but i dont like it there. he pressure me to buy his throttle body that replace my stock one for no reason at all. he kept saying it will rev better and gain 5hp. never again going to that shop.

[@LHTPerformance]

BlueRice I hear that kinda thing a lot.

[@niikon]

I've heard the valves tend to get tight a bit sooner than the maintenance schedule might suggest. What is your experience, when would you suggest taking a look at the clearances? How long should a valve adjustment be good for on an F20C/F22C? What causes valves to get tighter over time (valve seat wear?)?

[@Dragonfabb]

niikon broken retainer or stretched valves

[@niikon]

Pop Vtec No.

[@Mrlg220]

Yes, valve seat wear will cause it to get tighter. The valve will begin to recede and move up higher due to spring force, taking up the clearance between the adjuster and the valve tip

[@derreck3424]

What timing chain tensioner do you all recommend?

[@deathofakitty]

I change my Vtec solenoid seals about twice one year and another time couple years later. Bad luck for me. Valve cover gasket failed less than two years. All OEM Honda parts.

[@LHTPerformance]

Andres Ramos I think your missing something. I’ve never seen these parts fail. They dry rot over time, they don’t fail

[@deathofakitty]

LHTPerformance when I replace them they dry rot boy it gets real hot in south Florida. Now I have a leak where the connector goes to the VTEC solenoid there a o ring inside.

[@deathofakitty]

Will schedule for a valve adjustment soon because I’m at 124,000 miles there no record if previous owners did it or not. What seat did you buy when you use to have S2000? I am big guy and my 20 year old seats are beat up badly.

[@JohnLee-oo3qy]

If your recommending the tightest setting shouldnt the exhaust side be adjusted to 11. In the video you say you’re adjusting it to 10. Confused now lol.

[@carlloftin2850]

Hi LHT - what torque wrench do you recommend for the 14lbs of torque on the locking nut? Is there a brand or style you recommend for all the small Honda torque values - have been reviewing torque wrench’s and most start in the 20 lbs range

[@LHTPerformance]

I would never use a torque wrench in something requiring less than 20lbs. I’d do it by feel. I’ve seen some many 8mm bolts snapped from people using even the best torque wrenches.

[@mdelrio1991]

Can a bad valve adjustment cause a lean code? (P0171). I’ve been having this code for years and replaced just about everything including 02 sensors, intake manifold gasket, IACV, IAT, fuel pump, injectors, checked for vacuum leaks, valve adjustment, Map sensor, Fuel pressure is at 42psi and I still cannot figure out what’s wrong with it. I’ve taken it to 3 different shops and they can’t figure it out. I am out of ideas any help would really be appreciated!!! The engine seems to shake a lot as I turn off the engine.

[@PatrickHidden]

have you tested the EVAP canister purge valve? That's part of the flow chart when diagnosing that code.

[@connor0288]

What does the valve lash sound like? I've got a faint tick after I had a valve adjustment done.

[@WelshyAutomotive]

Connor02 might too much space, more than likely needs to be re adjusted.

[@kwanyau2075]

Hi will replacing a new timing chain tensioner correct the cam to crank line up orientation

[@LHTPerformance]

No. The tensioner is good essentially taking up the slack. The marks never look like they line 100%, even on the super low mileage examples.

[@StunnaTwo9]

I wanna buy a Honda/Acura just to have LHT work on it

[@driftx2]

My car has a little bit of misfire when the engine is warmed up at low RPMs. Can this be the cause of the issue? Maybe I adjusted it the valve too tight last time I took it apart

[@LHTPerformance]

It’s very possible. We always adjust valves on the loose side of the range. Loose + slight valve train noise, Tight = Burned valves and damaged seats.

[@brendawg8002]

Hi John, in your opinion is it safe to set the valve lash without the TCT in situ?

[@LHTPerformance]

No. Turning the crank without a tensioner could make the chain skip a tooth. I wouldn’t do it.

[@brendawg8002]

@@LHTPerformance That's what I thought, cheers John! My engine is damn noisy post setting the lash and replacing the TCT, but because I did both at once I don't know which has caused it! All my valves were very tight, so I expected more noise, but it's damn loud!

[@LHTPerformance]

@@brendawg8002 When setting the lash are you doing it by the Honda book ? Make sure each cylinder is on the marks are per the book. It’s very important.

[@brendawg8002]

@@LHTPerformance I would say that I gauged TDC by the position of the cam lobes on a corresponding cylinder and loosely by the timing marks...The car has thankfully not been driven since, just running briefly. As per your advice I'll readjust the lash as per the manual and see how it goes, once I've received a new TCT that is..!

[@LHTPerformance]

Message me on IG and I’ll send you the pics from the book to make sure you have the motor positioned right.

[@MastRk]

Well, would you look at that...im learn'n somethin

[@joellopez1637]

Hey John, why dose my s2000 smell like the inside of a Halloween mask after running it moderately hard? Also I am a fan of your work quality. Thank you for your tips and tricks!

[@DirtDude117]

Sounds like a bad or going bad catalytic converter to me

[@mikea5205]

@@DirtDude117 - bad cat would probably smell all the time. This sounds like bad clutch if after moderate to hard runs. Just my semi-educated guess lol.

[@LHTPerformance]

Joel lopez Theres many things could cause this. It’s tricky, you have to isolate the smell first.

[@carlloftin2850]

Joel - did you figure out the source of the smell?

[@beniirama4076]

this day, valve lash adjustment can be considered a lost technology..

[@j1035ak]

I can't see what your doing

[@uazhar2013]

I feel like my s2000 falls out of adjustment every 8000-12000 miles

[@niikon]

I am seriously wondering what causes the valves to go tight :/ Is it wear on the valve seat?

[@fernandojuancadena2475]

I put 30k in mine in a year u must be pushing her too much

[@rickjanuary9762]

Not the best video you've done. First, you don't show how to set the cam lobes (turn the crank? use the starter?). Second, your hand is in the way so you never see the feeler gauge and valve train. Third, you don't show the process for using the wrench and screw driver. But still I appreciate your knowledge and the information you provide.