johndoe3202

Hi, I'm a first time user here. I have searched the site for keyword "choke" and "choking" with no luck, so I am posting my problem here. I hope someone can provide some clues to a recent problem.

Under normal use, everything seems fine. But recently when I try to engage the VTEC, the engine starts choking and the engine service light starts blinking. When I slow down and exit VTEC rpm range, everything returns to normal. What's going on???

I drive a 2001 Prelude with 80,000km. I live in Montreal where it is currently -20 celsius. The car is not modified and has always been maintained according to factory specs.

Please help!!!

94Vtecluder

Do you have enough oil?

johndoe3202

Yes there is enough oil. And the car has been warmed up before attempting to engage VTEC.

tallguy

is the speedo working or does it start jumping as well? if so check your vss

britishdude

Here's an old thread from the FAQ section near the top, it tells you what sort of things and how to check, when Vtec isn't engaging correctly.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=830163

johndoe3202

Oh wow thanks for the link. It was really helpful.

Ok, I just braved the cold and went outside to check on my oil again. It has been 1.5 hours since I last drove the car. Here's what I found.

First, it's approaching my 6000km tune-up. So the car will be getting new oil soon, hopefully this week or next.

Second, the oil level is just at the minimum, so it might have something to do with not having enough oil for VTEC. I hear that it takes more oil then usual for VTEC versus normal operation.

Third, the oil seems a little thin, so it might have something to do with old and/or crappy oil.

So that being said, the few times that I tried to engage VTEC without enough oil and the engine started choking, could I have caused any damage to the engine? Please say no

britishdude

You won't have caused any damage but drive steady till you get oil change, vtec not engaging correctly is one of the ways the engine will protect itself from damage. Vtec only engages if all the necessary conditions are met, I would bring on that oil change and make it sooner rather than later, make sure your topped to the upper level with the right viscosity oil for your climate it's particularly important in your harsh climate.

TDCTyler

the first thing that comes to my mind is the vtec solenoid screen. first go and get it serviced like you were planning, if it still does it then pull the solenoid and check it out. (its a 10 minuite job)