NSX Health Check Service

[goldnsx]

Thanks, Kaz, for your explanation. I was not aware that the oil pump was a weak point in the NSX. I thought that if Honda choose a rev limit of 8000 rpm the engine should be able to run at 8000 rpm all the time.
It would be interesting to hear about the cases where it failed. Have these been stock or modified cars?

[nakamichi]

All these tales of various parts failing and causing catastrophic failure scare the hell out of me to the point I am almost frightened to drive the car anymore.I think I need to stop reading these threads.

[nobby]

LOL!

i feel your pain!

to be fair to Kaz, he is GENUINELY making us all aware that even as great as these cars are and how they have been built, there is still things that need looked at. Plus our cars are getting on in years too. His posts are all PREVENTITIVE in nature, and it is up to the individual to make their own mind up regarding their car and what they should do.

my advice ... DRIVE IT and ENJOY IT!

All these tales of various parts failing and causing catastrophic failure scare the hell out of me to the point I am almost frightened to drive the car anymore.I think I need to stop reading these threads.

[Kaz-kzukNA1]

It was so good to see some of the owners at Silverstone Classic last Sunday.

Thank you to the member 'nationofzeros' for coordinating us for the event and many others who contributed to make the display area tidy and comfortable with several refreshments and kettle as well.


Another member took my Health Check service in January and now it’s time to work on this delicate LBB painted 2003 NSX.

1. Driveshaft


Although it was fairly at low mileage (just over 50K miles), the drive shaft was already making light clicking noise when turning the wheels back and forth while the car was on the lift.

It is always best to service the right and left side at the same time, in order to use the available fund effectively to cover other crucial areas such as brakes, it was decided to service the right side only.

The internal wall of the rollers were fine but the grease was already started to break down and loosing viscosity resulting in clicking noise.

Still, much better than the ones being left without any services after loosing so much grease.

[Kaz-kzukNA1]

2. Brake


This NSX looked to be serviced regularly but there was no sign of calliper overhaul in the past.
Also, at one of the calliper, the pad was dragging against the disc so time for the complete overhaul.

Once again, the parking brake cable was seized to the lever at the calliper.
One of the piston was pitted and not moving smoothly.
The Front inner pad base plates were somehow corroded and locked inside the calliper spring plate.

After the overhaul, all of the pistons and sliders were moving very smoothly.

[Kaz-kzukNA1]

3. Main Relay

By now, I hope most of the members on here are aware of this Main Relay issue.
So, replaced with the new one and re-soldered the original one with conformal coating.


4. Bonnet lock

We struggled to open the bonnet due to lots of sand, debris, etc inside the lock mechanism.
Thoroughly washed, then re-greased and now it operates smoothly.


5. Wiper blade
This NSX had aftermarket blade but it didn’t fit well and by the time when the owner arrived at my place (in the rain), the driver side blade was almost dislocated from its original position.

For some reason, this specific OEM parts was cheaper than Japan even it’s coming from there so decided to place an order through HUK.

However, it’s out of stock and I won’t see it until the end of August.

In the meantime, I modified the installation method of existing one so that at least the owner can use it properly for a while.

[Kaz-kzukNA1]

6. A/C Climate Control Unit (CCU)

Even on 2002 car, there were small capacitor leakages inside the CCU so decided to carry out the CCU service on this 2003 NSX. Still looked fine but always best to service it before damaging the circuit board.


7. A/C cabin temperature sensor

Another common phenomenon. Cabin temperature sensor with full of dust. You won’t notice it until it starts making squeaking noise.


8. A/C condenser fan
During the Health Check, I noticed the Right side A/C condenser fan fuse was blown so replaced it with the new one but only to find blowing it again.
So, there is either a wiring or fan motor issue causing the short circuit within the system.

I was hoping for the wiring issue as I didn’t want to remove any of the delicate LBB painted parts but unfortunately, it was confirmed as the fan motor internal short.

Due to the way the motor is mounted on the bracket, the workshop manual tells you to remove the front bumper but it can be done without doing so.


Initially, I was hoping to get enough information from the motor manufacture so that I may be able to use this motor from engine bay cooling fan but due to the confidentiality agreement between the parts manufacture and Honda, they couldn’t tell me the motor spec.

[Kaz-kzukNA1]

I also thought about using the used parts but considering the risk of another failure and the price, we decided to go for the new parts.
The screws holding the motor was completely corroded so had to be drilled out.
After some juggling and using several combination of the tools, the condenser fan came out.
The new motor and installed with the original fan blade.

Now the A/C operates more efficiently.
Quite surprised to see the motor to die on fairly new NSX with low mileage.

Hope the owner is enjoying his LBB NSX under the nice British summer.

Regards,
Kaz

[Kaz-kzukNA1]

Hi, all.


As my NSX is 16 years old with over 127K miles, I wanted to overhaul my ACG.

About 30 years ago, there was a kind of general consensus in Japan that ACG should be replaced with rebuilt one after 60K miles but since then, the durability and the mechanical design of ACG improved a lot and thus, my ACG survived such a long time/distance.

I checked my ACG about 2 years ago or 11K miles before and the internal brush was still fine for another 1.6mm.

I don’t think it is required to replace all of the parts that I used this time but being as an electronics engineer, I wanted to investigate and replace as much parts as possible. The used ones will be kept as emergency spares any way.

The parts replaced with new one;


Brush
Regulator
Front & Rear bearing
Rectifier

Although there was no noise while the engine was running, I found that the rear bearing was already rattling quite a lot so it was good to overhaul it this time.

The brush was almost the same as 2 years ago so still can be re-used but replaced it with new one any way.

Rectifier was also still fine but since it's diode, who knows when it will fail with the excessive heat and vibration so decided to replace it.

[Kaz-kzukNA1]

There is nothing special for the overhaul process.
Just requires proper tools and care to prevent electrostatic from damaging the parts.


Remove the pulley nut by using the impact wrench.

You may struggle to replace the bearings if this is the first time to remove them.


Front and rear bearings replaced.


Rectifier replaced.