Dub C

Initially my car was throwing code 22 check engine light for "VTEC pressure valve," so I checked for debris on the VTEC solenoid side gasket filter, and it was not clogged. But when I checked the top gasket of the VTEC solenoid, there was no filter. Is there suppose to have a filter on the top gasket as well? I put everything back together, and topped it off with engine oil. Now my car is throwing a code 21 check engine light for the "VTEC spool solenoid valve." Is it because there is no filter on the top gasket?

Here's the picture of the top gasket. See there is no filter where the circle part is.

BryanM.

iTrader: (1)

There is not supposed to be a mesh filter in the top gasket.

Dub C

Interesting, I see some of the new top gaskets come with the mesh filters, but I guess it shouldn't make a difference since my car didn't have one. Hmm, there's probably something wrong in the wiring that's throwing code 21.

slomofo

iTrader: (1)

Could be something in the wiring....... or a bad pressure switch. It could also be low oil pressure or clogged oil passages.

Dekorum

The top one definitely does not come with a mesh filter. I bought brand new OEM VTEC solenoid gaskets this summer and only the bottom one has a mesh filter.

gentek1145

iTrader: (1)

Replace the other gasket, between the solenoid and the head. That one has the mesh filter

94EG8

Sometimes the spool valve itself gets glued with old burnt oil, clean everything up with brake clean and try to push the valve in (you can do this when the top and bottom halves are separated)

EJ8_Man

Make sure your oil pressure is good first. This may be an indication of a more serious problem. I'm not sure if there is a specific test for the vtec oil pressure switch. If your oil pressure is good, you can always bypass the vtec oil pressure switch by crossing the lead with the vtec solenoid lead.

Dub C

Turns out the solenoid wire came off the harness, so I had to connect it back to the harness. That fixed the code 21, but then code 22 came back for the VTEC Pressure Valve. I then noticed the VTEC Solenoid was leaking from side that connects to the engine head. The 3 10mm bolts seems to be tighten to its fullest, so I guess it is a bad gasket, and I will have to get a new VTEC solenoid gasket.