So I have a JDM b16a in my EF hatch. I just recently had a friend change the head gasket. He told me to get a gasket for a 99 civic si. So I did. The car seems to run just fine. Only problem no Vtech. I had Vtech before the head was done now it's gone. I now see through other posts that the USDM gasket is dif from the JDM gasket. My question is this. Can I somehow fix this without redoing the gasket? I would hate to have to redo the head but I will if I have to. But if there is any other solution that would be great. I need Vtech. Also I am not driving the car right now.I don't want to cause damage.

 

You'll never have Vtech.
Now, how do you KNOW VTEC isn't working? Are you throwing a CEL when VTEC is supposed to engage?

 

I know it's not working. I get no slight boost in power at 5,500 rpm. I drove the car for a few months before I had the head gasket done. I can tell a difference for sure. You could hear it loud and clear through the intake right when it would engage. My check engine light is on. I don't have a tester to throw codes. Also since it is JDM I have no oil pressure gauge to check that. I also changed the knock sensor. That was before I realized I had the wrong gasket.

 

It takes a paperclip to pull codes.

 

All I need to know is if the USDM B16a head gasket should work on my JDM B16a. If the two are not compatible then that is my problem.

 

same thing^^

 

same freaking gasket! you need to find out why the cel is on. That is why there is no vteck.

 

Did he install it correctly? Maybe its backwards and he blocked the vtec oil feed

 

Jesus Christ... Code test it already.

 

I can't get it to throw code. I have three wires coming off my ECU I have ODB1 tune. I tried grounding the orange wire and touching the red and blue but it wont throw code. So I tried all dif variables with the wires grounding touching wires etc. Still wont throw a code for me. I have an Integra harness. I noticed that my Engine coolant temp sensor is snapped off. I am getting bad MPG and no vtech could this be the issue. Also if anyone has any Ideas on how to get my ecu to throw code that would be the most helpful pice of info ever. It's a J/K Tune ECU.

 

C'mon. All you need is a paperclip. My wife can pull a code in under a minute. And fix the problems you know about. That's a no-brainer.

 

Well telling me I can use a paper clip tells me nothing dude. My ecu don't have the plugs coming off it. I just have three wires instead. Orange for ground Red and Blue. I was told when I bought the car that I had to touch the red and blue together and ground the orange. So if I was to go right to the ecu where the wires are coming from. Where should I stick the ends of the paper clip? I'm obviously a nuub but I'm trying to learn. Also l asked before. would the engine Coolant temp sensor being broke off cause Vtech not to work? I know it will cause bad MPG which is happening. I Really think this is my problem. I took my car to a speed shop that deals in mostly import cars. Showed em my ecu and they said what the **** is that. They couldn't tell me how to check a cel. I know how to do it if my setup wasn't so jank. This thing ran like a raped ape before this guy did my head mind you. would it help if I posted a pic? Or video? I really do need help but I'm not Lazy. I'm trying...

 

I can't be responsible if you bought a messed up pile with wiring issues. If you cannot pull a code because of missing hardware that's on you. You still need to find out what those codes are.

Temperature is part of what is needed for VTEC to work. Why you haven't replaced a part that you know are broken/faulty is beyond me.

 

This is how codes are pulled in the 5th and 6th gen Civics. I have no idea if it is the same for your car. And if you cannot get codes pulled if you take it to a shop or somewhere like Autozone, then you screwed.
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/how-pull-cel-d4-srs-abs-codes-code-lists-1901557/

Here. I found this in about ten seconds.

 

Naw man I just found that to be broken today. I couldn't make it to the junk yard. I work third shift bout to go to bed right now. I'm going to grab the sensor on my day off. Mean while I'm not driving it. I'm going to fix it weather it's the vtech issue or not. Also it's not a pile. The guy I had do the head gasket snapped some damn sensors man. The car ran strong before I had the head done. Just crap labor is all. But yes it is missing the proper hardware from the ecu which is bull. But I am trying to go through all of it's issues which are fairly small. I paid 1,200 for this hatch and it's the cleanest shell I have ever seen in michigan. The Shell alone is worth that. It's pretty damn peppy with that B16 in it too. When it's running right. I'm going to fix the sensor and go from there. But yes I do need to figure out about the codes.

 

Oh sweet thanx for posting that man.

 

I'm going to go see if my ecu has that light. My ecu is not stock.

 

If not you may be screwed.

 

Thats because you car doesn't have vtech. haha j/k but seriously start by checking your oil level.