Engine issues...

[sequoias]

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My car wont go over 5200 rpm. The tachometer bounces alittle at the 5200 rpm mark or so. I suspect it is something to do with the vtec not engaging, possible the solenoid or the ecu problems. Any better ideas?

Its 2000 Honda Civic EX.

 

[deafsmogtech]

Wirelessly posted (sent from a smartphone. )

My car wont go over 5200 rpm. The tachometer bounces alittle at the 5200 rpm mark or so. I suspect it is something to do with the vtec not engaging, possible the solenoid or the ecu problems. Any better ideas?

Its 2000 Honda Civic EX.

MIL on? Check the oil level, low oil will cause this. What weight and brand of oil do you use? Was there recently heavy rainy or slash large water pond or spot? If so try to check air filter for sign of water satured or look inside air filter box to see if the air duct or snorkle for wet or debris. If any plm pm me if you like. HTH dst

 

[Jiro]

I'm hoping your tranny's not on the verge of death :Ohno:

 

[sequoias]

Wirelessly posted (sent from a smartphone. )

Wirelessly posted (sent from a smartphone. )

My car wont go over 5200 rpm. The tachometer bounces alittle at the 5200 rpm mark or so. I suspect it is something to do with the vtec not engaging, possible the solenoid or the ecu problems. Any better ideas?

Its 2000 Honda Civic EX.

MIL on? Check the oil level, low oil will cause this. What weight and brand of oil do you use? Was there recently heavy rainy or slash large water pond or spot? If so try to check air filter for sign of water satured or look inside air filter box to see if the air duct or snorkle for wet or debris. If any plm pm me if you like. HTH dst

What does MIL mean? I will check what you suggested but its snowy here, not rain. I recently had an oil change last month and its 5w 20 and brand, no idea. I will double check oil level as well.

 

[Jiro]

What does MIL mean? I will check what you suggested but its snowy here, not rain. I recently had an oil change last month and its 5w 20 and brand, no idea. I will double check oil level as well.

MIL = Malfunction Indicator Lamp - typically "Service Engine Soon" or "Check Engine" light.

about the oil change - did you do it yourself?

 

[sequoias]

Wirelessly posted (sent from a smartphone. )

What does MIL mean? I will check what you suggested but its snowy here, not rain. I recently had an oil change last month and its 5w 20 and brand, no idea. I will double check oil level as well.

MIL = Malfunction Indicator Lamp - typically "Service Engine Soon" or "Check Engine" light.

about the oil change - did you do it yourself?

No check engine light and no, didnt do oil change myself.

 

[Jiro]

No check engine light and no, didnt do oil change myself.

I'm hoping the mechanic didn't mess it up such as not pouring enough oil or using wrong oil :Ohno:

 

[sequoias]

Wirelessly posted (sent from a smartphone. )

I just checked the oil and its normal oil level, air box is dry and free of debris. Strange.....the tranny is fine, tho.

 

[sequoias]

Wirelessly posted (sent from a smartphone. )

No check engine light and no, didnt do oil change myself.

I'm hoping the mechanic didn't mess it up such as not pouring enough oil or using wrong oil :Ohno:

Maybe its wrong oil weight that they put, causing hesistation to the vtec system. Vtec works with oil pressure as well. I will have to take it to the shop where I took it for oil change as I got the receipt.

 

[Jiro]

I just checked the oil and its normal oil level, air box is dry and free of debris. Strange.....the tranny is fine, tho.

hmm..... how about oil filter? engine belt?

 

[sequoias]

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I just checked the oil and its normal oil level, air box is dry and free of debris. Strange.....the tranny is fine, tho.

hmm..... how about oil filter? engine belt?

The oil filter is new and the timing belt, water pump and accessory belts were replaced at 90k miles. I dont think its caused by that. Im pretty sure its the fuel delivery, throttle body or the vtec system. Will have to see what deafsmog guy says.

 

[deafsmogtech]

MIL = Malfunction Indicator Lamp - typically "Service Engine Soon" or "Check Engine" light.

about the oil change - did you do it yourself?

Right. Thank for MIL definition

 

[deafsmogtech]

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Maybe its wrong oil weight that they put, causing hesistation to the vtec system. Vtec works with oil pressure as well. I will have to take it to the shop where I took it for oil change as I got the receipt.

Yes. It is true that all varied timing control valves are demanding good oil pressure that they can produce high rev to reduce NOx emission and gain good horsepower. Low oil level or low pressure can cause high rev driveability problem like you mentioned, is reason I asked you. Yes, the vtec oil pressure switch ( not to oil pressure switch near oil filter) or vtec solenoid valve can be cause even the MIL is not turn on or stored pending codes. The vtec pressure switch / solenoid valve are located on rear corner of the intake manifold next to distributor.
I check the posters in my iatn forum, they says vtec oil pressure is problem but intermittent, some of them say vtec solenoid valve.

 

[sequoias]

Yes. It is true that all varied timing control valves are demanding good oil pressure that they can produce high rev to reduce NOx emission and gain good horsepower. Low oil level or low pressure can cause high rev driveability problem like you mentioned, is reason I asked you. Yes, the vtec oil pressure switch ( not to oil pressure switch near oil filter) or vtec solenoid valve can be cause even the MIL is not turn on or stored pending codes. The vtec pressure switch / solenoid valve are located on rear corner of the intake manifold next to distributor.
I check the posters in my iatn forum, they says vtec oil pressure is problem but intermittent, some of them say vtec solenoid valve.

Thanks for the location of the VTEC solenoid and oil pressure switch. I looked up the pictures and get the idea what they look like. It shouldn't be hard to fix, if it failed.

 

[deafsmogtech]

Thanks for the location of the VTEC solenoid and oil pressure switch. I looked up the pictures and get the idea what they look like. It shouldn't be hard to fix, if it failed.

I didnt take a look at the newer vtec oil pressure or solenoid valve cuz I was busy to working on the vehicles that made me forget about the vtec systems.
I've been see many older Honda Accord w/ 2.2L , have a lot of problems with
oil leaks from vtec solenoid valves and oil pump housing gaskets due to harden rubber gaskets especially high mileages.

 

[sequoias]

I didnt take a look at the newer vtec oil pressure or solenoid valve cuz I was busy to working on the vehicles that made me forget about the vtec systems.
I've been see many older Honda Accord w/ 2.2L , have a lot of problems with
oil leaks from vtec solenoid valves and oil pump housing gaskets due to harden rubber gaskets especially high mileages.

Haha, it's ok. I saw pictures of the location of the same engine as my car.

 

[deafsmogtech]

Haha, it's ok. I saw pictures of the location of the same engine as my car.

If you see the RPM needle bounce at any range like from 1k to over 5k that would indicates a distributor assy. Often Honda distributors are expired at around 100K miles, replace with new distributor assy not expensive, can found cheap China made distributors at the part warehouse. I replaced them lot and no comebacks. I cant remember the name of the part warehouse.
New distributor assy is cheaper than replace individual coil, ignitor, cam/crank angle sensor etc....
No concern about it unless your car is developing with driveability problem such as hesitates or rough running or MIL on. Easy on the engine not overrev motor.
HTH dst

 

[sequoias]

If you see the RPM needle bounce at any range like from 1k to over 5k that would indicates a distributor assy. Often Honda distributors are expired at around 100K miles, replace with new distributor assy not expensive, can found cheap China made distributors at the part warehouse. I replaced them lot and no comebacks. I cant remember the name of the part warehouse.
New distributor assy is cheaper than replace individual coil, ignitor, cam/crank angle sensor etc....
No concern about it unless your car is developing with driveability problem such as hesitates or rough running or MIL on. Easy on the engine not overrev motor.
HTH dst

I replaced the distributor cap, rotor and spark plug wires before 100k miles. It won't go over 5000-5200 rpm when you rev the engine, it just bounced a little at that mark then I let off the gas and it goes back to normal. You can feel the engine shaking a little. It's only smooth until you hit that and stays there, kinda acting like there's a rev limiter set too early in a way.

 

[LinuxGold]

I am using 1999 Honda HX using VTEC-E (three stages, economic mode on the first stage.) To me it might be a solenoid problem. I would recommend taking to auto repair store and have them perform OBDII check for ECU. That way you will know if ECU is operating properly before you consider anything else as a problem.

 

[sequoias]

I am using 1999 Honda HX using VTEC-E (three stages, economic mode on the first stage.) To me it might be a solenoid problem. I would recommend taking to auto repair store and have them perform OBDII check for ECU. That way you will know if ECU is operating properly before you consider anything else as a problem.

Hmmm, good idea. I can try taking it to auto parts store to have them plug that in and check for anything odd.