I know.. I'm basing this question on internet myth. But, I figured I would ask anyway. What are some tell-tale signs of a burnt valve? I'm running open-header atm and I have "heard" that can cause them, but again, basing on intenet myths.

The other day my car ran VERY strong. I filled it up with 93 octane (Texaco gas) yesterday and now it seems very sluggish before 5k or so. I know about the whole 'bad gas' thing, but I don't believe that as much as some do. I also threw a CEL twice since then and wen't into limp mode. A simple restart fixes the problem, and since I was on the road I had to do that so I havent got to check the CEL code yet.

Any help would be great.

 

open headers burning valves is an old school muscle car problem, it has no bearing on honda 4 bangers. you can run open headers all day long, you wont burn a valve like that on a streetable honda