help me out this car is way too slow and annoying without vtec

just like the title, it didnt make as much exhaust noise at WOT, not nearly as much as when vtec engages and it seemed to take long to gain speed

and it straight up stopped revving any higher around 5500 rpm (no bouncing off any limiters) and then the CEL flashed at me about four times then went away

first time it does this but since yesterday the vtec i think has been not engaging

i checked the oil and the level is good

 

did it throw any codes? if so which one(s)

 

Usually when the CEL flashes it is a misfire issue. You should check the ECU for stored codes. If there are none on there then it was flashing do to a misfire problem.

In that case, What shape is your ignition system in, plugs, wires, rotor, cap & coil? What type of plugs are you using? Also could be your fuel supply system.

 

cap and rotor were changed 2-4,000 miles ago
spark plugs and wires changed maybe 10,000 miles ago at most

everything brand new OEM honda parts FTMFW!!

i did change the timing belt and balancer belt last week and had popped off the valve cover and wires, the tubes were kinda funny lookin like they had brown spots on them, probably hard water and dirt, but i'll probably go ahead and check out the spark plugs


can you clean them off with carb cleaner?
how much do you tighten spark plugs again aint it like 1/8th turn past when they stop spinning freely?
is it really a good idea to put anti-seize on the spark plug threads? (i put antiseize on literally everything )

 

if you have a bead blaster, that's a good way to make any old spark plug look brand new. carb cleaner will work also but you might have to scrape the carbon off. and for the anti-seize, if that gets into your cylinders your going to get a misfire, so that could be the culprit... as for the brown spots on the tubes, i have no clue.

I'm no engine diagnostics expert, just my 0.2 Cents.

 

i havent put any anti-seize on the spark plug threads before

 

nobody has anything to add?

 

have the codes checked if its a vtec code starr first by checking oil level if its good replace vtec solenoid i seen the screen on the vtec solenoid get full of trash sometimes u can clean them out try that first before replacing

 

it sounds like you left the timing belt loose, and it skipped a tooth.

 

naaa no way, i tightened the adjuster nut good and checked the belt after driving it around before putting on the lower cover

besides if it skipped a tooth wouldnt it be idling like *** and making a lot of racket or explode (ok not really)

recently they started to **** with the gas here, its all 10 percent ethanol!!!

 

check the cap and rotor again. double check all plugs.