well, i bought a gsr longblock. got it running and i have a code 22 (vtec oil pressure switch). i have high oil pressure at the back of the block (65 psi) at idle. when vtec engages, its only showing about 3 psi. wiring is good. oil is good (5w30). checked the cam caps and that dowel pin and O ring are good. vtec solenoid screen is clean and good.

the only other thing i can think of checking is the head gasket. im wondering if the guy i bought it from put on a new head gasket. and if he did, maybe he put on a non vtec gasket or put it on backwards.

any other ideas on what to check?

 

help

 

ideas?

 

update:

the oil pressure at the back of the block is pretty high (65psi) at idle. i think normal should be around 30 psi.

 

so on the back of the block above the oil filter you are getting 3 psi at higher rpm? thats not good.

 

no. im only getting 3psi from the head. oil pressure on the head is 0psi until vtec engages. then it only jumps to 3.

 

help

 

try pulling off the solenoid and see if any of it is clogged, a lot of people try using rtv to seal a leak and it cloggs up the oil pressure switch and screens

 

i tried that already. nothing's clogged.

 

could there be something clogging up an oil journal somewhere? check every oil passage thoroughly. you can even pull the plug off of the back of the head and check up inside there.

 

sound like you forgot an o-ring somewhere.
oil is not reaching a certain pathway to engage the switch
has the head been worked on?

 

the head was never worked on as far as i know. i bought it used but it looks stock. it does look like the cam caps were removed at the very least. so that's why im wondering if its the head gasket. it's pretty hard to clog up the journals. usually the filters do their jobs like theyre supposed to.

 

it could be a bad sensor...seen it before...

 

i switched the sensor out 3 times now. its not the sensor because i put a gauge on there and its showing low pressure too.

 

help...

 

ask the previous owner if there was any issue with it

 

cant get in touch with him. he moved out of town.

 

try another ecu....do a compression test...and a leakdown test

 

I have the same exact problem right now. Started 2 weeks ago I believe.. Up to this point never had a problem with Vtec engaging.. Now I get a CEL and it stops working.. Tried different sensor and that is not helping.. Need to check the oil pressure..

Well Ill subscribe and see if I can get an answer..

 

Don't know if you have the service manual but there is a specific process to follow to diagnose your problem. The problems range from a bad pressure switch (code 22) to a bad ground or a shorted wire somewhere. The couple of pages in manual are worth following.

 

I have it... But have not had a chance to go through it... Yesterday I looked at it but have not put it to use..

 

i tried troubleshooting but stopped when i saw that oil pressure is definitely low when vtec engages.

 

do a compression and or a leak down test first

 

i put air to the vtec solenoid. its bubbling out on the intake side rocker arms on cylinder 1. i guess that solves my problem. i need to relplace the rocker arms.....never heard of those going bad before.....