spool valve gasket differences

[nikey22]

There are two types of spool valve gaskets.

It is possible for the NSXs that are in the "cusp" year of change over (1994), there seem to be some NSXs that use the 91-94 gasket (thin) and there are other NSXs that use the newer gaskets for the later models. Maybe serial number dependant?

It seems this applies to both the top and base gaskets.

Mine is a 1994 that does NOT use the 15825-PR3-005 (thin) as stated in the parts manual, it actually uses: 15825-P08-005 (thick) that is used in the 1995 years and up. I've had to repurchase these.

If you try to use a thinner gasket in place of your older "thicker" gasket, you will still get a leak after the install. Also the shape isn't 100% with the contours of the metal. The top little gasket has the same issues, even more dramatic because one of them is missing the screen.

look at this photo for some details:

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Just a curiosity, Are you using USA parts catalog to evaluate fitment? I ask because I know the differences all too well, have changed tons of these, in the US, and never had a model year in the US not match as stated in the US parts catalog.

Maybe I am lucky?? Or, not working on Canadian cars

Regards,
LarryB

 

[ScienceofSpeed]

In our experience, only the MY 1995-05 solenoid uses the P08 gasket. While I don't think it's impossible that Honda changed when supplies ran out - they are usually pretty good about sticking the right part to the right application.

-- Chris

 

[Larry Bastanza]

In our experience, only the MY 1995-05 solenoid uses the P08 gasket. While I don't think it's impossible that Honda changed when supplies ran out - they are usually pretty good about sticking the right part to the right application.

-- Chris

Hi Chris, That was my point. So I wonder if Canadian NSX's might be different?

 

[angus]

I am quite sure they are not, I use parts spec'd for US cars on Canadian cars all the time.

That being said there are a few parts that are different, this is just not one of them.

 

[Bram]

I would guess that the dealer sold the incorrect part....this would not be to difficult considering how rare these cars are...

Now if you have the P08 part # in a 94 and it was never changed, then that would be something.

Just my 2 cents

Bram

 

[Gman]

I just had these replaced on my 94 yesterday. I am looking at my invoice and the part numbers are 15825PR3005 and 36172PR3005. They mentioned that I needed 2 of each. Initially I still had a little leak, but after checking about 45 minutes ago I don't see any fresh oil underneath the car. I plan on starting the car and running it for10 minutes and doing a recheck in the morning.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Vin# ??

 

[nikey22]

My vin is #465 of 517, so its a late 1994, and it uses the P08.

Gman how about yours? early 94 or later 94

 

[latzke]

My vin is #465 of 517, so its a late 1994, and it uses the P08.

Gman how about yours? early 94 or later 94

Original engine?

 

[whywhite]

My comment probably does not help this debate as my car is not in the US or Canadian VIN sequence, however my Aussie delivered car is the first one in Australia with the new gasket. My car is late 94 with vin T300058. As Larry says, the Honda records are uaually spot on and my VIN number shows as the change over car in this VIN sequence.

 

[Kaz-kzukNA1]

The spool valve design was changed during 1994 depending on the ENG no.

I don’t have access to Acura dealership parts system so I can’t confirm this for US/Canada models but for Japan and Europe models, you will be asked to enter the ENG no. to order the correct spec.

In Japan, the change over happened from some of the engines for the 94 Type-R.
By 95, all engines were equipped with the later spec spool valve.


Looking at some of the Acura parts system on the web (not the main dealer one), even if you enter the VIN from 94 US and Canada Acura model, it doesn’t ask for the ENG no. and it shows that all 94 models are equipped with original design spool valve (PR3 series gaskets).
This could be wrong depending on the country spec (Canada, may be??) because some of the engines could be using the later spec one (P08 series gaskets) like you experienced.

It’s been a long time since I looked into this so my memory could be confused with other facts but if I remember correctly, the solenoid diameter is quite different between the original and later design.
I'm quite sure this was the case from 95 models onwards and it may apply to the 94 models that had this change over of spool valve design.

If you have 94 model and not sure about the spec of the spool valve spec, please try to measure the diameter at the top section of the solenoid.

The original design (PR3 series gaskets) should be around 35mm.
The later one (P08 series gaskets) should be much smaller (around 25mm, I think).

Hope my memory is correct......


Kaz

 

[NSX-Files]

Why couldn't I have seen this days ago??? I just put in new gaskets on my rear spool valve because it seemed to be seeping. I ordered online for my 1994 (VIN #417) not knowing there was a changeover mid year. When I went to put the solenoid base gasket in (I ordered 36172-PR3-005) I could tell something was wrong as the shape is different and I knew it wasn't going to work.

So I put back the original one (the lower one in the second picture). Note it did not have a filter on it. I did install the larger gasket that I also bought (15825-PR3-005) but now I'm expecting it is going to leak since it was apparently the thinner version.

 

[Albert86]

Thanks Kaz - From a 94 owner ... nice detail ... have some leaks now that need attending.
Saved this for future reference.

 

[Kaz-kzukNA1]

One thing you can do before placing the order for the VTEC spool valve gaskets is to measure the diameter of the top section of the solenoid.

For some reason, I can’t edit my old post #12 above (wrote in 2012 so may be the time limit preventing me from editing....) so I’ll paste the link to the extra info;

http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showt...(pics)/page3?p=1725825&viewfull=1#post1725825


As you can see, if your solenoid diameter is 30-31mm (not 35mm, like in my old post #12), then you have the earlier spec spool valve and you need the PR3 series gaskets for both the solenoid and the valve body.

If the diameter is 23 – 24mm, then you have the later spec one and you need the P08 series gaskets.

Kaz

 

[NSX-Files]

Kaz, your advice is spot on. It would have help me tremendously. Problem is, I didn't know there was a problem in the first place to know to look to prime for the answer. I just ordered according to my year. Personally I think the 1994 is the best model year NSX ("basically" last year of the coupe, cable throttle, OBD1, R134 A/C, newer center console, no power steering weight) but I guess this one thing is a trade off.

My local dealer wouldn't take back the wrong parts but gave me a really good discount on the newer ones so they are ordered. Problem is now I will have to do the labor again if it starts to leak. I'll wait and see. Thanks for helping out Primers with this info though!