Hello to all of you.

Another story that plagues me is the rocker arms.

My engine is a turbo B16A2 and my rpm limit is at 9300 rpm.
i had destroy two rocker arms and and more specifically the Vtec Midlle arms of the EXHAUST SIDE ONLY.

i changed the rocker arms 2 times and i tried 3 diferent exhaust camshafts.
After 1000-2000 miles the same issue...

take a look at this photo to see the marks.



whats going on here? i dont understand...

I feel this scratch with my fingernail.
If you leave it for many miles starts to dig the rocker arms.

The damage usually starts from the middle rocker arms in cylinders 1 and 2. and stay on vtec rocker arms of the exhaust side only.

and strangest of all is that the point of this damage is when the camshaft turns and the valve closes.


some info:
-i changed all the o-rings (oil jet,etc.)
-i have 20 psi oil pressure at 850rpm ,60psi at 3000rpm and 80psi at 4000rpm till the 9300rpm)
-i use integra type r LMA's
-Dual spring valves supertech that i bought from RSP one year ago.


why this issue is only on exhaust vtec rocker arms?
i tried everything,,,,,any idea??

sorry for my english!

 

you might be able to run oil with zinc, zddp additive in it. it can help reduce wear.

what power are you making and what is your valve lash set at?

 

9300 may be your problem.
Your valves may be floating a little, Not enough to hit the piston just enough so when the cam comes around the valve is not 100% shut so the rocker does not start or the base lobe and slowly open but its crashing into the lobe of the cam if that makes sense
I bet you need stronger valve springs, Or those 2 are worn or not as strong as the rest. Or dont rev that high. Maybe stop at 7800.

 

Looks like valve float or oiling issue or spring binding

 

I used usually 10-40 semi-synthetic oil with X1R additive in it.

i want to start using Torco SR-1 10-40 full synthetic and avoid to use any additive in it.
is this oil ok? any other suggestion ?
the car is about 550-600 HP Daily driver use.

MY VALVE CLEARANCE are :
0.0078" exhaust
0.0074" intake

I use SuperTech dual springs with Ti retainers that i bought from RSP. i think these springs can handle even more rpm but i am going to test them.

-oiling issue ... i dont think so...i had this issue with 2 different oils.
-valve float on dual springs supertech? is this possible? i thought this is the reason we used aftermarket springs...to avoid the float on high rpm.right?
-Binding or spring fail is more realistic...

 

I also insist on telling you that this decline, if you notice well when the tooth of the camshaft has already passed the rocker arms and at the time the valve closes.
If it was something of the problems mentioned would not damage the moment they go to press the tooth onto the camshaft rocker arms??

 

First, how are you getting such detailed valve last readings...

Second, Looks like could be valve float. from my understanding Supertech sells two versions of there springs. One has a much stronger seat pressure. YOu should ensure that is the one you have if youre redlining so high. What cams are you using to redline to 9300? And is youre rev limit set at 9300? gauges can be off so just want to make sure youre not going by the gauges when you say 9300.

 

what do you mean when you say <such detailed valve last readings>??
sorry , English isnt my home language..


I know that supertech sells two versions of these springs BUT one year ago i bought them from realstreetperformance.com and wasnt there two versions...only one.

I used integra type-r camshafts..this issue destroyed my itr exhaust cam and from now on i am using itr camshaft intake and B16 camshaft exhaust.

When i say 9300 i mean real 9300 rpm.the gauge reads 9800.

 

what oil are you using?

 

before i build my engine with darton i used Motul 4100 semi synthetic 10-40
and total 10-40 semi-synthetic with X1R additive.

NOW on this engine i use a cheap one 10-40 semi-synthetic oil for 600 miles and i will use torco sr-1 from now on... (without any additives)

 

Do you really keep making power that high?
I think you are just reving to high. what are the springs rated for?

 

every 100 rpm more the engine ask for more gas...so...yes..it makes power..
But i prefer to be safe than to make 15-20 hp more.
when i turns this engine at 9100rpm i hadnt any problems...200 rpm more are able to make this damage?



if you check into the realstreetperformance.com you will see that the supertech that he sell is the SPR-H100DR.
i thought that 1.5 year ago i bought the same model...

I search into supertech site and i see the specs of this model.

i saw that they have 85 lb seat pressure .BUT there is no info about how much rpm are rated..

so i dont know..

 

My gsr did exactly the same thing with itr cams and Buddyclub springs . My wear was only on number 1 and number 2 exhaust high lobes . I simply changed my oil over to Valvoline vr1 and the problem has since stopped . Its the oil . You need zinc in it with those high valve spring pressures .

 

VR-1 is 10w-60 right? is too thick i think...

Torco SR-1 10-40 full synthetic has recomended zinc??

what is your advice to use?

 

I use Valvoline vr1 10w30 . It works very well for me .

 

Same here. Im actually from RI too.

Do you use the synthetic version? i do not.

 

check your LMA's for binding/sticking.

 

I found this while searching for zinc ppm content of the oils discussed in this thread:
http://www.nwquattro.com/forums/inde...ic=1419.0;wap2

The question is what is the minimum recommended ZDDP content for our engines?

 

No its the regular version .

 

My LMA's are from ITR and is hard to dent and have good restoration.
no sticking.

i'd like to know about that

 

Does the middle Vtec rocker have its own spring? If so did you upgrade it to?

 

Do you run an oil cooler on this engine? and the oil pressure readings your saying is that from the block or the cyl head?

 

im using these same springs with itr cams but im rev limited at 9000. i do have a small amount of wear on the vtec lobe of the exhaust cam only, but the rocker are fine. again, i started adding some lucas oil break in additive which has zinc in it to my regular oil. not much maybe about 1/4 of the bottle per oil change.

 

oiling issues as in not getting enough oil, not the type of oil being run

 

Can you post pictures of the last camshaft you pulled from the head? Specifically the part of the cam that sits on those affrected rockers?