415Riderz

Hey wats up guys! New to this site and i love it already... I have a 94 del sol dohc vtec, but unfortunatelly it has a problem. Sometimes my vtec kicks in and sometimes it does but on and off. Could it be the vtec solenoid? Or something else? Also, when im in neutral and i give it gas, when it comes back down to normal it always falls to like 300-400 rpms... Please help...

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Check your oil levels?

DelsolVted

check oil levels and check continutity with the car up to temp and check it at the switch. if there is none switch is bad.

EJ8_Man

Is your computer throwing any codes?

It could be the ECU - I had this problem with my D16Y8

It could also be a short in the wiring to the solenoid. You can bypass the pressure switch by shorting it with the solenoid lead, this will rule out the pressure switch.

met

Maybe a little more history, did someone change cams or something?

djslim23

vtec won't activate until the engine is warm. also, as mentioned, check your oil. without enough oil the solenoid cannot do its thangg

phoxking

is your ecu chipped? possibly the ecu is the problem..

met

There can be a bunch of differant things that can keep it from working. If you hook up a test light to the wire that feeds the vtec sloenoid thats an easy way to make sure the electronic part are working. As long as the electronics check out and your oil is full with good oil pressure something with the oil feed isnt right. There is a filter built into the vtec solenoid, also under the center cam cap is a little o-ring people tend to forget to put it back when changing cams. The sometimes working vtec sounds like that oring, but who knows a slightly clogged vtec filter.

415Riderz

so i was able to look at it in detail this weekend, i just boughy the car so i dont know of any work that might of been done. But it does look like the valve cover is not sealed right cuz i found oil all around it and it was fresh... I also found orange silicone coming off between the valve cover. Could this be my problem? If so how can i fix? Is the a DIY on changing valve cover gaskets?

Modell

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/tech-article-valve-lash-adjustment-1305086/
(Closest I could find in 2 secs.)
similar to this minus the valve lash adj.
Im not positive on the torque for DOHC
So look up the specs on the torque of course after you have all your parts & tools and are ready to accomplish this.

But I would definitely change it if there is gasket sealer on there and it is leaking.

Modell

prob a noob question but what motor is in your car?
D16?

vartok

Is the silicone all the way around or just near the dizzy? if its just there, then its normal, you actually have to put a bit there and at other end of the cam because of how the gasket is made...

Now if its all the way around, i would say go pick up the full gasket set and replace everything.... The set im talking about has the tube seals and the bolt grommets in it as well as the main gasket.

415Riderz

The motor i have is a B16a3 DOHC... And i took another look at it right now and its also leaking oil on the bottom of the head =/ bummer... What do i do in this case? Should i take it to a shop or do it myself?

runninclean

How manny times did you pull the head? more then three? if so arp head studs

415Riderz

i havent done any work on this car, i just purchased it and the only reason why i got it is cuz ive been lookin for a del sol with an original DOHC, plus the price was right, got it for $800... With that bein said... Is this an easy fix? Where should i start? It does have the CEL on, how do i check for codes?

met

Autozone will check the codes for you, or you can do a search there is a way to jump wires and count the cel flashes. Basicaly if it ends up being the oring im talking about it will be like changing the timging belt but then you have to take the caps off the cams too. Its a little bit of work and def need a manual the first time around. I will send you a pm where to pick up a manual. I would still start with simple stuff make sure your wiring is ok by hooking up a test light and the vtec gasket filter is clear of debris.

19crx93

hopfully some one dident overtighten the valve cover and break the threads like they did in my old del sol.

415Riderz

Thanks a lot! For everything and especially for the great responses ive gotten! By the sound of this it doesnt sound like a weekend job... Or maybe it does but not for a noob like myself... Would i encounter any future bigger problemsif i continue to drive it in these conditions? Or should i be ok with checking the oil constantly so i wont go lower that normal?