Valve timing oil pressure switch problem

[JSecrest]

I am having a problem with getting a code 52-Rear valve timing oil pressure switch. It occurs only but regularly during sustained high rpm race track driving while the car seems to be performing well and the engine oil pressure is behaving normallly. I ussually get 1 to 4 laps in before the check engine light comes on and kicks the ECU ino a semi limp mode-7200 rpm redline and VTEC activation at 6500 RPM. Have determined that problem is not computer or electical and rather than pull the head to look further, am considering defeating the warning coming from this switch. (Have done track driving with this condition for two years and suspect there is not a major problem involved).
Does anyone know what oil pressure condition causes the switch to send trigger the error code? Or how to find out? The service manual doesn't cover and I'm told Acura tech support will talk only to a dealer and my dealer is worthless.
Any help greatly appreciated!

 

[Sensei]

This might help...When testing the "V-TEC solenoid valve", the oil pressure should be above 400kPa(57psi or 4kg/cm2)at 5000 rpm. I would assume, a "check engine" light if your oil pressure at the solenoid valve is dropping below 57psi.

In between where the solenoid valve is bolted to the head, is a small "V-TEC solenoid valve filter" and O-ring. This filter may be clogged.

It may also be that your driving hard enough that your oil is violently sloshing around or just literaly on the gas all the time and emptying the pan just enough,so that the oil just misses the "oil pick-up". I'm not recommending that you should, but I've thought adding up to an xtra quart of oil when on the track was pretty common with most cars? I dunno...

 

[JSecrest]

In re-reading the manual, I need to have my mechanic attach an oil presure guage and do the checks recommended (for a long time we thought the problem was electrical and hence my negligence in having him check the actual pressure).
If that doesn't show a problem, your suggestion with running the extra quart of oil may be a solution. This problem happens only with sustained high RPM including running in high RPM through the turns. (Otherwise, it doesn't seem to happen even on the track). I didn't realize it was acceptable to run extra oil-thought it got frothed up by the crankshaft or something. Do you know for certain this can be done with the NSX? At any rate its an idea well worth pursuing.
Thanks.

 

[Sensei]

Originally posted by JSecrest:
Do you know for certain this can be done with the NSX? At any rate its an idea well worth pursuing.
Thanks.

"I'm not recommending that you should, but I've thought adding up to an xtra quart of oil when on the track was pretty common with most cars? I dunno..."

I too have a heavy right foot and I always add an extra half a quart in all my cars, but that dosen't mean it's okay, I honestly don't know? I do know larger capacity oil pans are made available for many cars including the NSX. Yes, I also heard of the oil getting frothed up by the crankshaft, but thats when oil level is so deep that the crankshaft submerges into the oil as it rotates.

Choritsu-shi