Proud Virginian

I was told by my mechanic when i bought my car that the gasket needed to be replaced sometime soon. Is there any tutorial on gettting to that. I was told it was pretty simple, i just have never messed with it before. What happens if the gasket fails completely? Any info would be much appreciated!!

GhostAccord

If the gasket fails then it will most likely leak oil out onto the block. Most times the problems with the VTEC gaskets is actually with the small filter screen on the inlet port. It can get clogged up with dirty oil and cause the pressure to the switch to drop. This will throw a code and not allow VTEC to engage due to low oil pressure.

Usually all that is required for that is to clean the filter screen it with some hot soapy water or carb cleaner.

Here is the VTEC solenoid gasket/filter, it is located on the left rear of the cylinder head.



Then there is also the VTEC pressure switch filter/gasket that you could try and clean or replace.

Proud Virginian

Thanks for the good info. You're the man!

GhostAccord

Not a problem.

Good luck!

crk112

I can't find these seal/filters anywhere (O'Reilly, Car Parts Wholesale).. is this something that I can only get from Honda?

djkurious

I got mine from Honda. You probably can only find those items at the stealerships or Majestic.

crk112

Sure enough.. THIRTY DOLLARS at the Honda dealer!!

Of course that's nothing now that I BROKE OFF my knock sensor.. $150 right there lol.

djkurious

What is that part number? I purchased mine this past summer from the stealership and I'm sure it didn't cost that much.

crk112

Which part number?

The VTEC solenoid gasket/filter from Honda is HP15825-P2M-005..

The knock sensor I got from O'Reillys is S8609 .. BWD brand. It was 133.99 and they claim it lists for 227.10. I didn't bother pricing it at Honda.

EDIT

The solenoid gasket was 28.57

sleeps41

Good info, I have a few leaks around my block that i'm going to fix, ill be sure to take a peak at the VTEC switch as well, this way I can get all the seals at once. So far on the list, distributor seal, valve cover set, and axle seal, damn, leaks can add up. Just did oil pan seals.

fsujunkie

Anyone able to get the vtec solenoid off without having to remove the thermostat housing? if so how??

I cannot seem to get any tool down there as it extends into the thermo housing...boo hoo....

crk112

Nothing was blocking mine.. on a 98 Civic EX.. D16Y8 engine. I took loose the three bolts using a 3/8" drive ratchet and a deep socket (can't remember but I think 12mm?). Perhaps a regular socket and a short extension will help you if you don't have a deep socket.

75aces

I need some assistance. I'm trying to get to the bolts that holds the bottom of the vtec solenoid to replace the gasket and filter. The extension bar that I'm using is too long and the thermostat housing doesn't allow me to use the socket. What size extension bar can I use? I don't want to remove any components if I can help it. Thanks.

crk112

I seem to recall running into the same problem.. if my memory serves me I think I used a deep socket which proved to be a good length.

Curtis

Larrysoliman

Thank you for this post! My vtec stopped engaging so no more sexy time in second gear. Also annoying oil leak after paying $700 to replaces seals and gaskets. I will try this first thing!

tlester97

I have a 1996 Honda Accord.. Where the vtech solenoid is there is a sensor about an inch below it..I need to know what hooks to that sensor and what wires run to it? Mine has the sensor but no wires, not even the plug that hooks to the sensor. So I need to know what they are and where theyre at??

GhostAccord

Sounds like it's more than likely the VTEC oil pressure switch. A picture of said connection/sensor would help. As well as a bit more information about what engine is in the car and what ECU you are running would help people to help you.

To me it sounds like an engine swap and it is not the original engine for your Accord. The US SOHC OBD2 F22B1 (96+) Accords do not use the oil pressure switch that is on the VTEC valve assembly. If you are still using the stock ECU you do not need to plug anything into this.

azchris

I have a 95 Accord EX w/F22B1.
It is possible to remove the VTEC solenoid without removing the thermostat housing.
I used :
- a 10mm offset box wrench for the lower bolt (this is the hardest one).
- a 3/8" breaker bar with 10mm socket for top pass-side (right) bolt
- a 10mm box wrench for the left (driver side) bolt.
See attached photos.

I did have to remove some of the air intake parts to get access to the lower bolt. But no way did I want to turn this into a huge job breaking open the cooling system.

I happened to have the valve cover off because I was replacing the spark plug seals. That made it easier to get to the left bolt. It may have been possible to do it without removing the valve cover.

Good luck & I hope this saves some lots of unnecessary work.

Babygirl2543167

So I'm having that issue right as we speak and what's going to happen is that you're going to start spewing oil everywhere that's currently what mine's doing That's assuming that your gasket goes completely bad