Vtec playing up! :@

[dc2screama]

Have got a problem, Sunday,Monday and Tuesday the car hasn't been turned on or been moved. But today l took it out for a drive warmed it for a good 25minutes and went to hit vtec but didn't work, got home and let it cool down and checked all the oil levels which were all good. So went for a drive around the block, and l kept redlining to get it to engage but still nothing. After like the 15th time tryn, it engaged all the way to 8200rpm.
I Installed a Cai last week ever since that iv noticed my temp gauge can go from just below half, then straight back to cold again,in a matter of 10seconds maybe thermo problems?
Could it be sparkplugs? even though there fairly new
HEEEELLPP pleassse!!!

[Benson]

If your water temps doesnt reach a certain temperature, vtec wont work

[dougie_504]

No engine check light?

If it's not holding temperature then yeah it might be the thermostat.

And if VTEC isn't engaging don't rev it out to 8200 just hoping to make it work mate. Doing this on an engine below optimal operating temperature is what causes the majority of engine wear. Make sure the car is holding temp properly first. If this doesn't solve the issue then look at your VTEC solenoid maybe.

[gumus89]

The temp gauge problem could be directly related.
I understand that vtec will not engage unless the car is at operating temperature, but how does the ECU know that its at the right temp?
Could it be the same thing that tells the temp gauge to work?

[denrie]

Thermostat!

[dc2screama]

Cool thanks alot guys. Nah there is no check engine light.
Just go for the oem thermo? Price?
There is also a bit of a leak from the bottom of the solenoid so il also be getting the bottom and upper solenoid gaskets from honda and change those. Thanks again

[dc2screama]

Could a small leak on the solenoid be the reason why it's not engaging?
Maybe not enough oil pumping through the solenoid, because of leak?
What other things can we look at?

[trism]

i reckon the biggest problem youve got is the water not coming up to temp

[dougie_504]

Small leak normally isn't a problem, check the thermostat first as trism said. Somewhere in the vicinity of $40-70 I can't remember. The most important thing is the OEM thermostat rubber seal, otherwise you can easily use a generic thermostat from Bursons or w/e.

[dc2screama]

Sometimes the temp gauge sits in the right place just below half way, and l try to engage vtec,still nothing. After that it just drops quckly.
il be picking up the upper and lower solenoid seals,and oem thermo this morning. Hopefully all goes good.

[dougie_504]

Sounds great, let us know.

[dc2screama]

And thermo it was! Vtec is back! Thanks peeps

[dougie_504]

Awesome! Another case closed...