97 civic lsvtec

i have a ls vtec and when i drive it feels like my vtec kicks on and off lack of power now it not so bad when its cold outside but when its hot it is but any help? ty

SOHConthis

ok so wen its cold it runs fine but once it warms up it starts doin that...my gsr was the same way i just fixed it 2 days and my problem was the vtec pressure switch .hope that helps

97 civic lsvtec

where is the pressure switch locked at ?

EJeff8

Under the solenoid if I remember correctly. everyone calls it the solenoid but it's two pieces actually. I actually forget since people just call the whole piece a solenoid.

97 civic lsvtec

is there a way i can check it ?also it idles up and down ive replaced the map ,idle control and the speed senser and still nothing i was going to replace the tps to see if that helps ?

EJeff8

Just pop it off the head. Unbolt the three bolts and check the valve inside. The screen may just need cleaned.

also, just take off your IACV and clean the screen on it. You wasted all that money for a 10 minute cleaning session to fix your idle. You're gonna be mad when this fixes that haha.

EDIT: Just noticed you said Idle Control. Try flushing your coolant system

phaphon

check your vacuum lines for the idle problem and for your vtec problem it would not hurt to try and clean the solenoid?

rickyracer

and check your oil...

97 civic lsvtec

thanks i'll give it a try out tomorrow i work at autozone so i saved a little bit of money

EJeff8

VTEC hates bad oil levels.

97 civic lsvtec

oil is fine my check engine light is on but nothing pops up

97 civic lsvtec

plus that just doesnt make sense with it running diff to the air temp outside ?

EJeff8

What's the CEL? What do you mean nothing pops up Bro. Don't use your atuzone tester, those things are junk. Do it manually from your ECU.

And what about air temp?

97 civic lsvtec

the colder it is the less it does the issue

EJeff8

^could be a coolant problem or vac due to thicker air. Also, engines run better on colder air nyways. And the oil would probably be thicker than normal, increasing the oil level and "tricking" your solenoid.

97 civic lsvtec

ill pull the v/tec off and clean it out whats the best thing to clean it with ?

SOHConthis

im pretty sure its the pressure switch it the green plug on the vtec solenoid.

EJeff8

Spray with Brake cleaner till it runs clear. Let dry for an hour or so or let the engine heat dry it (not recommended.).

97 civic lsvtec

thanks again ill give it a try tomorrow thanks again

darkdc2teg

Oil pressure. Oil level. If both are good you can bench test the pressure switch to see if its good. But the way you describe it it sounds like your engine oil pressure is not very healthy. Get an oil pressure kit and check it. I bet its really low when hot (not good) I have always checked vtec solenoid screens and I myself have never found any significant blockage on that screen. vtec motors all use oil and require regular attention you cant neglect them. if you do they wont last long. Check that oil press cold and full hot. If its as low as 5, 6, 7psi at idle or lower u deffenetly have problems inside somewhere. (crank berring or head oiling problems. sparkly oil is not good either. Check for these things.

EJeff8

Shocker. Haha.

darkdc2teg

vtec system malfunctions can be caused by low oil... or by low oil pressure. U said ur oil level was good so sounds like you need to check that pressure man... good luck.

EJeff8

His level may be fine but he might have some crappy oil in it.

darkdc2teg

True...but with out the rite pressure nither good oil or bad oil is gonna get where it needs to go. Clearance issues in the head and/or bottom end berrings are normally the cause of this pressure drop and ultimately in the begining the problems at some point in time was probly due to himself or a previous owner not checking the oil from time to time and running it low. Any oil at the rite level is better than no oil or low oil. He knows if he found it low or not and he says it was full so thats why I belive its a pressure prob.

97 civic lsvtec

i think my oil pressure is good do to the fact i have to change my breather filter do to oil running out of it ?and with it getting colder outside it runs like it supose to so i wouldnt understand why it would be a pressure issue ?i'll clean my v/tec today and give it a shot