Honda Type R GT Service Advice

[Stevie19]

Hey folks,

So I bought an 08 plate 100k miles on the clock Honda type r gt FN2 and just looking for a bit of guidance on what I should do/arrange first as the service history for it is non-existent but it does have MOTs from day 1. So I'm getting a part service done on it for Monday for an oil change/oil filter ( I do know the oil was changed the day I bought it but getting a full check done by my local garage is always a safe bet for me) and a good look over. I've no idea when the spark plugs were last changed on it or when a valve clearance was last done. I was going to leave the spark plugs for now as the engine fires up absolutely fine but I think I should fire it in for a valve clearance asap, what do you guys think?

Also how much do you guys think a valve clearance would cost? I'm based in the UK and just got quoted £220.

I drove the car for 3.5 hours home and it was perfect but yesterday I was hearing a sort of whirling tappy tinny type of sound so not sure what this could be, suppose I wil find out from the service on Monday but other than that it's a stunning drive.

[Vsix and Vtec]

That's a fair price for the valve clearance, if the car is a nice example and you're going to be keeping it, I recommend doing it.

I had a 2010 Type R GT in Milano Red, bought it with 36,000 miles, part exchanged it at 59,000. Valve clearance every 25k, service every year or 10k. Gearbox oil every 60k and make sure you have the underside checked for rust. If you're lucky like I was and there isn't any, UNDERSEAL. These cars are wonderful but they were never prepared for the way our country loves to dump metric tonnes of salt at the sight of the thermometer reaching below 3c.

Also, your best choice of tyres are either Goodyear Eagle F1 or Michelin Pilot Sport 4 or 5. I had the PS4 and really enjoyed them. Finally, carry a 1L can of oil if you're going to use the Vtec frequently. It will give you a low oil warning before the next service if you don't top it up a little. This is normal for them.

Edit: Spark plugs are Iridium tipped and I believe are good for 80K, so you may either already have new ones, or be due them.

I highly recommend joining CivInfo, a Civic focused forum. Lots of very good people on there, who are experts on everything to ever wear the Civic badge

Edited by Vsix and Vtec on Thursday 28th September 11:25

[Stevie19]

Vsix and Vtec said:

That's a fair price for the valve clearance, if the car is a nice example and you're going to be keeping it, I recommend doing it.

I had a 2010 Type R GT in Milano Red, bought it with 36,000 miles, part exchanged it at 59,000. Valve clearance every 25k, service every year or 10k. Gearbox oil every 60k and make sure you have the underside checked for rust. If you're lucky like I was and there isn't any, UNDERSEAL. These cars are wonderful but they were never prepared for the way our country loves to dump metric tonnes of salt at the sight of the thermometer reaching below 3c.

Also, your best choice of tyres are either Goodyear Eagle F1 or Michelin Pilot Sport 4 or 5. I had the PS4 and really enjoyed them. Finally, carry a 1L can of oil if you're going to use the Vtec frequently. It will give you a low oil warning before the next service if you don't top it up a little. This is normal for them.

Edit: Spark plugs are Iridium tipped and I believe are good for 80K, so you may either already have new ones, or be due them.

I highly recommend joining CivInfo, a Civic focused forum. Lots of very good people on there, who are experts on everything to ever wear the Civic badge

Edited by Vsix and Vtec on Thursday 28th September 11:25

Hey man thanks for the info, very much appreciated! I just created an account there and post this same thing to see what sort of responses I get so thanks again!

The gearbox feels smooth and no issues when driving, no crunching and not difficult at all when switching so I'm guess with 106k miles on the clock this was most likely done at some point, maybe the 75k mark? They did also underseal the car for me and when they had it up on the lift all the wheel arches were spotless and from what I could see underneath (had protective cover on) it was in pretty good condition, just some surface rust nothing bad from what I seen. As for the tyres I will double check what's on them and let you know.

[RichFN2]

Bad news unfortunately, with no service history and at that mileage then the 75k/6 year service will need doing.

You will need the following items replacing or this service kit:
https://www.coxmotorparts.co.uk/honda-shop/genuine...

You will also need to change the coolant, fuel filter and carry out the valve clearance.

[RichFN2]

Stevie19 said:

I drove the car for 3.5 hours home and it was perfect but yesterday I was hearing a sort of whirling tappy tinny type of sound so not sure what this could be, suppose I wil find out from the service on Monday but other than that it's a stunning drive.

Please check your oil level immediately, on motorway driving if your doing 80mph the engine is sat at about 4k rpm, depending on the oil these cars can burn through them when your using the higher rev range

[Vsix and Vtec]

Yeah quite possibly. One of the few "weaknesses" these cars have is wear on the 3rd gear, without proper oil changes they can crunch and even pop back out of gear. They're pretty much bullet proof otherwise, and the dealer network are generally excellent too. They offer Menu pricing, so you will always pay the same for a service at any Honda dealer. Very reasonable too. The bodywork is the only thing that's not bulletproof. The rust, the water ingress from porous or cracked welds. Annoying faults, but easy to solve.

[Stevie19]

RichFN2 said:

Please check your oil level immediately, on motorway driving if your doing 80mph the engine is sat at about 4k rpm, depending on the oil these cars can burn through them when your using the higher rev range

Hey Rich thanks for the reply/info! I have the car booked in for a part service on Monday, so oil & oil filter along with a full engine review will be done ( garage I bought it from I seen the guy changing the oil but would rather my local or a Honda garage does a proper service), that's costing £125 and the full service which I believe adds on 2 things, pollen filter and intake filter which brings the cost to £220, part service should be enough for the time being you think?

Some other stuff I have asked about to get done at a western honda garage below.

Valve clearances (quoted £220 from local garage, currently waiting on Honda garage giving me a price)
Coolant change
Gearbox oil change (although gears felt silky smooth when changing high revs etc, no crunching either so I'm guessing it must have been done at 75k?)
Spark plugs (Car starts smooth as no issues, not sure when these where last done though so assuming these can be left for now?)
Fuel filter
ARB bushes

As for the clutch fluid, I checked this today (thank god lol) and it was below min level, like right on or a fraction below the small hole so I was going to get clutch fluid ASAP and fill it up but I would also ask for the clutch to have a bleed done at the garage as I had to clean some sludge off around inside that.

aux belt (looks fairly clean from what I can see).

[Stevie19]

Honda garage prices are in, here's what I got quoted.

Valve clearances x4 - £196
Coolant change - £130
Gearbox oil change - £108
Spark plugs - £231
Fuel filter - Doesn't get changed as it's inside the tank.
ABS - £184
clutch fluid - £53
aux belt - £116
aircon - £75

Bit of cost involved will need to prioritize most important first, what do you think? I was thinking these 3 first below.

Valve clearances x4 - £196
Coolant change - £130
Gearbox oil change - £108

Edited by Stevie19 on Thursday 28th September 15:34

[Vsix and Vtec]

Stevie19 said:

Honda garage prices are in, here's what I got quoted.

Valve clearances x4 - £196
Coolant change - £130
Gearbox oil change - £108
Spark plugs - £231
Fuel filter - Doesn't get changed as it's inside the tank.
ABS - £184
clutch fluid - £53
aux belt - £116
aircon - £75

Bit of cost involved will need to prioritize most important first, what do you think? I was thinking these 3 first below.

Valve clearances x4 - £196
Coolant change - £130
Gearbox oil change - £108

Edited by Stevie19 on Thursday 28th September 15:34

I'd agree with this list, Stevie. I hope you'll put up a readers thread at some point, I may not have my FN2 anymore, but I still regard it as one of the best cars I've ever had, and one which I should have owned a lot sooner than I did. That muted snarl that gives way to an open induction roar never gets old.

[Stevie19]

Vsix and Vtec said:

I'd agree with this list, Stevie. I hope you'll put up a readers thread at some point, I may not have my FN2 anymore, but I still regard it as one of the best cars I've ever had, and one which I should have owned a lot sooner than I did. That muted snarl that gives way to an open induction roar never gets old.

Yeh man I'm gonna shop around and check out prices across the board, see if I can get the work done a bit cheaper. What do you mean by a readers thread, like a help guide or something? and yeh the car is super fun to drive, love the sound as you kicking up into high rev and the change into vtec both power and sound change is incredible!

[RichFN2]

It's worth bearing in mind that when the valve clearance is done everything has to be removed that you need to gain access to the spark plugs.

Any decent garage would adjust the price accordingly as done separately they are both quite time consuming, if Honda are being stubborn and will not budge on price then carry on with your plan. Perhaps ask if they can quickly check one of the plugs while doing the valve clearance?

[Stevie19]

RichFN2 said:

It's worth bearing in mind that when the valve clearance is done everything has to be removed that you need to gain access to the spark plugs.

Any decent garage would adjust the price accordingly as done separately they are both quite time consuming, if Honda are being stubborn and will not budge on price then carry on with your plan. Perhaps ask if they can quickly check one of the plugs while doing the valve clearance?

Yeh that's a good shout actually, I will mention that to them for sure.

It's booked in for a part service tomorrow for £125 but I think I'm going to just ask for a full service to be done to get the intake filer/pollen filter changed as well, just incase the last time it was serviced was at the 75k mark with mileage being 106k atm, don't want to risk the intake filter being in a bad state, but price jumps to £225 which is a bit annoying lol.

[Jimmy Rich]

It still has major wheel hop and the car I virtually perfect and better than previous model but wheel hop is there especially in wet. Anyone know if there's a fix say powerfkex bushes and aftermarket suspension mods that aren't to expensive and will improve car not do it harm in anyway!!??? Overall superb car I had the very first civic type r also previous model to latest and this car is so much better apart from wheel hop. If wasn't for that you would keep pace with some Porsche models easy it so quick high to end lovely interior which shames previous model better car info screen yet plenty manual controls on the right things ...looks so much better than any previous models etc etc I love it but need get rid of the wheel hop to make it perfect!!!!!??? Please any one with good knowledge or power flex knowledge plus tr