EliteCM.net

I know that I've been a ghost around here for awhile, sorry about that. I've been so busy with school and shit.

Anyways, I've already talked to Tim about this a couple times, but I thought I'd make a thread so that the information is out there. I noticed that the VTEC engagement at 2,200RPM is very delayed (VTEC did not just kick in, yo!). It's to the point where it makes the ride uncomfortable, because when I accelerate from a stop and get up to 2,200RPM, the car jerks as if it lost a substantial amount of torque. At that point, the car loses about 100RPM, and then continues to rise normally. I definitely don't recall it acting like this on my 2005.

In regards to oil, I've checked it, and the levels were perfectly normal. I've had this happen for awhile now. I used to run Mobil Super 5000 5W30 with a Purolator PureONE filter, but I recently switched to Valvoline SynPower 5W30 and the same filter, and it made no difference. I also have never gotten a CEL. I'm pretty much clueless right now.

Thanks.

It could be a few things.  You may want to check your VTC filter and the filter on the VTEC solenoid.  Another issue could be that it could be a bad connection on your VTEC solenoid or VTEC pressure switch, or even a bad switch or solenoid.  If you need me to send you one, I have a few extras lying around.

I'll definitely have to take a look. Where can I access said filters?  :hmm2:

I'll help you out later tonight when I get home Jeff.  Either that, or shoot me a text.

I was going to upload the pics Tim sent me, but I lost them when doing shit to my phone. Here's an illustration instead.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img27/7163/vtcd.png)

#11 is the VTC filter itself, while #7 is the VTC solenoid (correct me if I'm wrong, Tim).

I'm going to first check on the VTC filter, and clean if necessary. That'll require removing the serpentine belt, moving the P/S pump, and removing the auto tensioner. From there, if I'm still having this issue, I'll look into the solenoid itself.

Thanks for the help Tim.

Yes Jeff.  You are correct.  #11 is the VTC filter and #7 is the VTC solenoid (aka spool valve).  Also, #5 is the VTEC filter.  That's a lot easier to get to.  You may want to take that off and make sure it's clean too. 

Where does that whole #4 area go? I'll take a look at that filter as well.

It's bolted on to the back of the head above the oil filter.  That's the VTEC solenoid and pressure switch. 

wow thats crazy i just found a brand new vtc filter and vtec filter in my garage, i guess i should replace the old ones then

ill actually save them for another time because my vtec is not laggy yet! maybe later down then road when i add some mods to the car but its nice to know i have these around

No need to replace if everything is working.

but wouldnt the filters go through wear after being there for 145k miles?

It's a metal screen with a rubber gasket.  I have't heard of any cases where anyone needed to replace them because they were worn.  You're free to replace them if you want.  I just don't think it's necessary if everything is working fine.

I checked the VTEC solenoid filter at about 93k miles, and it was spotless. I haven't had time to check the VTC solenoid filter, but I'm sure it's just as fine.

I've been kind of living with the lagginess for now. I just don't have the time with school and all.

yea well I think i kinda jinxed it and im probably experiencing some lag  :'(. Because now when i get to a stop and suddenly accelerate hard passing 2,500 rpms, My car jerks before i even get to 50mph or 3,000rpms. so then when that happens i freak out and let go of the acceleration because i feel like something is going to break. Anyways my car is still stock all i have done is fixed my fans, which now they work perfectly fine and ive also replaced my IACV valve with a barely used one. So the car is working fine except for that jerk it does i cant even speed off ill have to check my oil levels and transmission fluid and if that doesnt work ill also check my vtec filters. Any suggestions you guys? 

Check your oil first.  That's one of the signs when your oil level is low.

Do any of these filters apply to the J?

I've come up with a theory that could maybe explain what is happening and why (I currently have no validity to this theory until I replace the VTEC solenoid and see what happens). Anyways, my car is still sluggish as hell, and I basically have no torque produced when under 3,000rpm (a slight exaggeration :P). That means that if I ever want to get up to speed after coasting for a little bit, I basically have to force the car to downshift twice (from fifth to third) in order to acquire a desirable amount of torque. Besides that, I pretty much constantly have to keep my car above 3,00rpm when doing any accelerating. At stop lights for example, if I keep the car under 3,000rpm, people fly by me, and I get tailgated like I'm an old man. This car definitely was not that much of a slouch when I first got it. It currently shifts from 1st to 2nd at around 15mph, and then from 2nd to 3rd at around 28mph when shifting at 3,000rpm (if that even matters).

So on to my theory. I've also noticed that my car has been running rich. My old spark plugs had relatively dark tips, and my exhaust pipe constantly gets covered in black carbon whatever stuff. My theory is that the VTEC solenoid is possibly faulty, causing an undesirable delay in VTEC engagement while the car continues to add more fuel. Well, if the intake valves aren't opening as quickly or opening as widely as it should, then it would result in the A/F mixture running rich. That's the only thing that I could think of at the time, and it would explain the general sluggishness and obvious delay in engagement. The car literally jerks at 2,200rpm, and once it hits that rpm, the tachometer stops climbing for a split second, as if I very quickly let off the gas.

Tim, I know you told me you have a spare VTEC solenoid somewhere, so I may eventually see about getting that from you and replacing it when I have time. I think that'll probably be my best course of action for now.

I think I have the same problem as you Jeff. Car is relatively new and not driven hard. Have noticed the same things in exhaust, intake manifold, the lag.

I have done only typical maintenance and nothing special.

Yeah I've given up for now considering I have absolutely no time to work on it. Now the car's started acting like it's about to stall when I come to a complete stop. Maybe it's a vacuum leak? It's pretty much a guessing game until I either give in and take it to a mechanic or spend a lot of time figuring it out myself. Otherwise the car runs just fine.

That sounds more like a vacuum leak, I think I just got one too after installing the TSX IM.

What I used to experience was on slight uphill inclines, light gas, low rpm, low speed sometime's you feel the car loses its life and its about to kick the can, but its a split second thing. Gives me fears because my car before this was a Civic which lost its 2nd gear and 3rd gear and would feel similarly before those gears wouldn't shift anymore :o.

I will try to diagnose and solve the apparent vacuum leak around the IM today