Replacing Vtec solenoids?

[Blackoutz]

Is this a expnsive or difficult procedure? I noticed a little smoke coming from under the back of the engine and a semi strong oil smell this morning. I just had the timing belt done so the valve covers are good. My mechanic said its probably the vtec solenoids leaking a little or rather the gaskets are bad. Any advice would be appreiciated.

Thanks
Blaine

 

[KooLaid]

Is this a expnsive or difficult procedure? I noticed a little smoke coming from under the back of the engine and a semi strong oil smell this morning. I just had the timing belt done so the valve covers are good. My mechanic said its probably the vtec solenoids leaking a little or rather the gaskets are bad. Any advice would be appreiciated.

Thanks
Blaine

http://nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113606

the gaskets ALWAYS go bad

I actually need to order some myself. I'll do it in a day or two.

 

[davidf]

If your getting smoke then they are leaking pretty bad. Change soon.

 

[Blackoutz]

cool thanks for the comments. Theres not much else that can leak from the back side of the engine right?

 

[KooLaid]

valve cover, cam seal

yes cam plug that's what i meant lol

 

[nikey22]

cam plugs

cam plugs leak as well.. cam seals are on the side of the timing belt. The cam plugs are culprits too, is there grease/oil around the plugs?. These should have been replaced when you did your timing belt change since the cams have to be lifted to get in a new pair. If this wasn't done, its now a big job to go back in there to fix it.

start by replacing the spool valve (vtec solenoid) filter.

do a search for spool valve here on nsxprime, there are a couple of guys that did excellent write ups with perfect pictures and suggestions on how this is done.

unless you are getting a CEL, you don't actually need to replace the valve or solenoid itself. This is where your manual comes in handy to do the electrical testing.

 

[godfather05]

Yes , if you are going to do it get all the parts at once and you won't have to do it again!

 

[R13]

I had the same symptom you describe. In my case it was a combination of all three items. I have yet to replace the cam plugs, since that is more involved. If you're lucky whoever did you belt job would have also done that at the same time. If not, the dealer will want ~$1200 for that service.

The spool valves/vtec solenoid gasket is not a big deal. I'd owned my NSX for all of a month when I did it, and did not run into any serious obstacles. You just need to replace the gasket, not the valve/hardware.

I second Nikey22's suggestion on the sequence of things to do.

Do the spool valves first since that is easy and cheap. then clean everything off around that area with some simple green or equivalent, and see if that's fixed the problem.

If not, then explore the cam plug thing.

 

[RON98]

i would put a UV dye in the oil and drive the car around.

then view it under a UV light. The leak will glow yellow.

You dont need to clean the motor this way to find the leak.

You can find the dye at NAPA and UV light at most automotive stores.

the spool valve gaskets are easy to get to. lets its what is leaking. the cam plugs are no fun. :frown: