ok, i need some help here. i just finished up my spec b install. modifications are as follows: mugen headgasket, toda springs, portflow retainers, and toda spec b's. (intake and exhaust do not matter at this point) currently i am running a yoshio tuned P28. ( i will get a chipped P30 soon, don't worry)
now on to my problem. my vtec rockers are not locking up. it is not a electrical (ecu) or vtec solenoid related problem. i don't have any codes at all. i have narrowed it down to a mechanical problem. i have the correct oil flow to the head, as do i have the correct vtec oil pressure. i installed a oil pressure guage on the head, and took it for a drive. i got a consistant 75 psi or so when vtec was activated at 5100 rpm (yes, i know it's low, but that is where my ecu is set right now, i will change it as soon as i figure out the rocker problem) i bought the air stopper from honda and put air pressure to the head (as per helms manual) and could not get the rocker to lock. i can hear the air in the spray bars, but i guess something is blocked not allowing the air to join the vtec rockers. the spray bars both have the identical part #, as do both intake and exhaust rockers. so, i guess in theory if i were to have switched them during assembly, i should have not had a problem. anyone ever have this problem? or am i the first to screw up a vtec head install? i have done many sohc hondas, and a hundred domestic heads. but this is my first dohc vtec head. as i stated earlier, it is not a ecu or sensor related problem. everything up to and including the vtec solenoid is working properly. it is something mechanical in the head. i have the 2 pins that lock the spray bars in place with new o rings. i'm at a loss, someone please help! thank you all for any assistance you can provide.

 

What do you mean rockers are not locking?plmk..thanks

 

the pin that slides through the rockers that changes our cams from normal to high (VTEC) is not working.

 

You got to trace your head install steps. Was VTEC working before the install?

The vtec pins, are very simple oil (or your air) should of pushed the pins to lock. Did you try taking the cams out, first than sending the air? The only thing else I could suggest is to take it apart and check the pins, but I am almost 100% sure that is not the problem, unless you messed with it during your install it should still work.

Let me suggest, that you try another ecu that you know VTEC works in. (IMO-Its not the first time Yoshio has messed up ) or if you have a VTEC controller make sure that it is sending 12v to the VTEC solenoid.

 

t, thanks for the quick reply. everything worked fine before the install, so it is something i screwed up. it is not a ecu or vtec solenoid problem, i ruled those out with the oil pressure guage when driving it. it is a mechanical screw up on my part. what do you mean pull the cams before sending the air? i will pull the top end apart again. i had the helms next to me the whole way, i must not have paid complete attention.

 

ok, i think i might have figured out the problem. i think i might have installed either one or both rocker arms shafts 180 degrees out. this, i think, would be the cause for oil pressure not getting to the rockers. anyone ever do this or know if it is possible?

 

anything's possible. Ever hear of a distributor being put on backwards?? **** happens

I would advise pullin it out and startin from scratch.

 

well maybe i don't have a good imagination, but how is that possible?

 

do you know for a fact that it is the rocker pin? have you already checked the TPS , speed sensor, & engine temp sensor?...i.e. the other factors

the distributor rotor was fried on my car by the MSD ignition and I did not get VTEC..no check engine light either...we replaced the MSD with stock ignition and replaced the rotor and everything was honky dory.

cheers

 

yes, i know for a fact the rocker pin are not enguaging. by doing the air pressure test, i have deduced that. no codes, no problems with sensors or vtec solenoid. and vtec oil pressure is fine (75psi) i think it may be that i mistakenly installed the rocker shaft wrong. i guess this has never happened to anyone....

 

it's an easy fix to change the rocker if this is the problem for sure...or am I missing something?

 

Are you sure you put the oil oriface back into the block after changing your head gasket? That could effect vtec

 

to change the rockers is no big deal, but they all worked before i took it apart. i could see if it was one rocker set, i would just change it, but all 24 going bad in one shot? i must have installed something wrong. i took it apart last night and found a ripped intake rocker shaft orifice seal. i installed a new one, and reassembled it, but i still can't get the rockers to lock with air. oh, and yes the oil control orifice is installed correctly, i have oil flow to the head, and the correct amount of vtec oil pressure.

 

remove the camshafts than send the air through. It could be possible, although very unlikely, the lobes on the cams are misaligning the rockers enough that it stops the vtec pins from getting pushed through. I still cant see how it could be messed up? (It is too simple of a system) unless you put the pins in reversed in all the rocker sets , but that would mean one of the low lobes would be always connected to the vtec lobe.
Also, I dont see why you had to take the rockers apart to put on retainers, you could have flipped them up and out of the way. (That is one way to check them also, take out cams and flip the rockers up, separate them, and push the plunger and pins to see if they move)

If you still cant find the problem by now, Its time to take it all completely apart and consult the helms manual to put it back all together again.




[Modified by t, 12:10 AM 7/4/2001]