Good morning,

I've got a '97 del Sol VTEC with almost 230k miles on it. Seems to be still going strong, but the engine does make a steady ticking noise (particularly noticeable at idle) and lately it seems to be getting louder. I assume this means the cams need to be adjusted, but considering the age of the engine I'm thinking a full overhaul is most likely in order. Does anybody have a ballpark for what this might cost? Thanks,

DH

 

How about find out where the noise is actually coming from before you plan to start throwing money on the wrong repair? You didn't mention that you had. Identify the noise. Do a compression test.

 

This ^^

The fact he didn't specify likely means he has the stock B16A2



OP: On a totally separate note, I PM'd you about telling me what your head stamp says, as well as year of manufacture. I also included a handy picture about exactly where to find this information. It will help me a great deal in figuring something out with my own car... Thanks.

 

Check the oil. Check the valve lash. And just drive it. You're going to cause problems trying to fix something that isn't broke.

 

You've got a good point, but the engine output is pretty good, so I'd be very surprised if there was a compression issue. But the valves haven't been adjusted in forever and the engine clicks just as if the cams are hitting the valve stem.

Yes, completely stock B16A2.

Sure, I'll open her up in the morning and take a look.

Oil looks good. You're probably right about letting sleeping dogs lie. It's just the engine used to be so quiet...

 

Please don't try and second guess. I've seen people report engines that ran strong and were so far below healthy compression you would wonder how they would run at all. Do. A. Compression. Test. It will tell you if the engine is still healthy or not before you try to overhaul it, possibly for nothing.

 

Remember to disable fuel and spark before running the compression test.

Disconnect the distributor plug to disable spark.

For fuel, I couldn't find a fuel pump relay or fuse in my 1996 Del Sol VTEC...so I disconnected each fuel injector plug instead.

Good luck.

 

Removing the PGMFI fuse is easier.

15A fuse. Disables fuel and spark. On LHD cars, back corner of fuse box all the way to the paseenger side...if you're looking at the box from the front of the car, back left corner.

 

Well......the del sol VTEC is a b16. The del sol si is the y8 I believe.

 

I didn't see that...I'll take a look when I go outside next.

What's your point?

 

I don't have a legend for the fuse box under the dash. But here is the legend for the fuse box under the hood.

 

The ticking noise is most likely just LMAs.

You could try this:

 

To dissable the fuel on an EG/DC/Sol, all you have to do is unplug this jumper plate from the top plug on the drivers side front shock tower. This is exactly the same as unplugging each individual injector. Easy peasy!





As for the ticking, it's either in need of a valve adjustment or LMAs (as shown in the post above). Obviously you should start with a simple valve adjustment 1st to see if that fixes the problem. If not, then you may need to tear the head apart and replace the LMAs. The good news is there are updated spring-style LMAs for this motor that replace the hydraulic ones that tend to fail.



The bad news is they cost a fortune at $26 each (you need 8). The cheaper option is using Prelude LMA's with stainless shims instead (which is exactly the same thing) for half the price ($9 each + shimms).



Entire kit for $116
http://www.scienceofspeed.com/produc...VTEC_B-Series/

 

The one that says ECU (15A)

 

Naw OP ur engine is shot out! You gotta get a new one and send me that one, I'm the only person in the hole universe who can fix it in the condition it is in. Lol jk srsly tho plz?

 

I'll send you a motor you can't definitely rebuilt, give me your address.

 

What about an E-Vtec ?

 

Oh how our education system is clearly failing.

 

Short hand ftw

 

Whole=entire. Hole=a missing part of.

 

English isn't my first language. It's to hard to lern. Lucky I'm not all anus about being right about my spells. In'it?

 

When it's your job you kinda have no choice.

 

It was just a goof. My English is so exquisite...it's no wonder I'm #1.