The 2000 Civic Type R (EK9) with its B16B engine is a legendary high-revving machine, but it demands religious maintenance and suffers from worn synchros, valve train noise, and mount failures when neglected or abused.
Transmission Synchro Wear (2nd and 3rd Gears)
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Grinding or crunching when shifting into 2nd gear under load, Difficulty engaging 3rd gear when cold, Notchy shifter feel during aggressive driving
Fix: Transmission removal and rebuild with new synchro rings, bearings, and seals. 8-12 hours labor depending on shop experience with Honda B-series boxes. Many owners opt for OEM Honda synchros or brass upgrades.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200
Lifter Tick and Valve Train Noise
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Loud ticking at idle that lessens with RPM, Excessive valve noise on cold start, Ticking worsens with irregular oil changes or track use
Fix: Hydraulic lifters wear on high-mileage B16Bs, especially if oil changes were stretched. Requires valve cover removal, lifter replacement (all 16), valve adjustment. 4-6 hours labor. Some techs find collapsed lifters, others find worn cam lobes requiring camshaft replacement.
Estimated cost: $800-1,500
Transmission and Engine Mount Failure
Common · low severityTypical onset: 70,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive engine movement during shifts, Clunking when engaging clutch, Vibration at idle, Shifter feels loose or rubbery
Fix: The Type R sees harder use than standard Civics, destroying rubber mounts faster. Transmission mount and front engine mount most common. 2-3 hours labor for both. Aftermarket polyurethane options available but transmit more NVH.
Estimated cost: $350-650
Head Gasket Failure (Overheating or Boost)
Occasional · high severitySymptoms: White smoke from exhaust, Coolant loss with no visible leak, Oil mixed with coolant (milky dipstick), Overheating under load
Fix: Often caused by overheating events or boosted engines without proper tuning. Requires head removal, resurfacing, ARP studs recommended for reliability. 10-14 hours labor with full timing belt service. Must pressure-test block for cracks.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800
Harmonic Balancer Deterioration
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 100,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: Visible separation of rubber between inner hub and outer ring, Vibration at specific RPM ranges, Serpentine belt misalignment or squealing, Timing marks wobble when inspecting
Fix: Rubber damper layer separates with age. If it fails completely, can damage crankshaft and trigger timing issues. Replacement requires crank pulley removal, 2-3 hours labor. OEM Honda part strongly recommended over aftermarket.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Camshaft Wear (High-Mileage or Track Abuse)
Rare · high severityTypical onset: 150,000+ mi or track-abused
Symptoms: Persistent lifter noise even after lifter replacement, Loss of VTEC engagement power, Low oil pressure at idle, Metal shavings in oil
Fix: Extreme wear from missed oil changes or sustained high-RPM use. Requires cylinder head removal, cam replacement, lifters, valve adjustment, timing components. 12-16 hours labor. Often discovered during head gasket or lifter jobs.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500
Absolutely buy one if you find a documented, unmolested example — but walk away from mystery-history cars or anything that's been beaten, because the repair bills stack fast.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.