Flashing CEL during prolonged VTEC use (3rd gear+)
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 234
From: In BOOST
update for the last week:
rockstar garage took off the valve cover and double checked everything under the hood to make sure it all was okay. they datalogged the info coming back from the ECU while putting it on the dyno and at this point all signs point to oil pressure, it seems that there is a slow dropping of the oil pressure high up in vtec (extended use, etc).
based on their advanced data logging/diagnostic tool it doesnt look like its bad sensor data, they are getting clean data input and the values look fine.
oddly enough i watched the oil pressure via my aem gauge while testing, especially after the comments telling me to do so. it didnt show numbers that looked out of the ordinary when in vtec. im guessing i have an inaccurate reference set because ive never collected example pressure numbers in higher gears in vtec (i haven't had the opportunity to drive that fast with the gauges installed yet)...
anyways at this point the next step is to take apart the engine so it will be getting rebuilt. hopefully there is an obvious problem with the bearings and i can go forego the head work but it may just get a complete refresh because "while you're in there" and i want to make sure this engine is bulletproof in the future.
based on what ive been talking about with rockstar garage all signs are pointing to cracked bearing(s). i over revved the engine at buttonwillow in may (3rd to 2nd) but the car was fine during the next session so i assumed it was okay. the leakdown test is showing numbers that are bordering on unhealthy, theyre tracing the leaking sound coming from the bearings and not the head. also now theyve confirmed that oil pressure is dropping slightly under high load. i think at this point i should just be thankful that the damage isn't any worse (as far as we know yet).
rockstar garage took off the valve cover and double checked everything under the hood to make sure it all was okay. they datalogged the info coming back from the ECU while putting it on the dyno and at this point all signs point to oil pressure, it seems that there is a slow dropping of the oil pressure high up in vtec (extended use, etc).
based on their advanced data logging/diagnostic tool it doesnt look like its bad sensor data, they are getting clean data input and the values look fine.
oddly enough i watched the oil pressure via my aem gauge while testing, especially after the comments telling me to do so. it didnt show numbers that looked out of the ordinary when in vtec. im guessing i have an inaccurate reference set because ive never collected example pressure numbers in higher gears in vtec (i haven't had the opportunity to drive that fast with the gauges installed yet)...
anyways at this point the next step is to take apart the engine so it will be getting rebuilt. hopefully there is an obvious problem with the bearings and i can go forego the head work but it may just get a complete refresh because "while you're in there" and i want to make sure this engine is bulletproof in the future.
based on what ive been talking about with rockstar garage all signs are pointing to cracked bearing(s). i over revved the engine at buttonwillow in may (3rd to 2nd) but the car was fine during the next session so i assumed it was okay. the leakdown test is showing numbers that are bordering on unhealthy, theyre tracing the leaking sound coming from the bearings and not the head. also now theyve confirmed that oil pressure is dropping slightly under high load. i think at this point i should just be thankful that the damage isn't any worse (as far as we know yet).
I would strongly suggest you look for a used or imported F20C instead of rebuilding yours because you can never trust the workmanship and/or replacement parts used to be anywhere close to the level of the original build by Honda in Japan. Rather look at a used but healthy replacement perhaps from a totalled car that you can get for as good a deal as possible then sell your engine off for spares. Should be most cost effective in the end and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that your (new) F20 has not been cracked open by anyone since it was built
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 234
From: In BOOST
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 85
Likes: 5
From: Long Beach, CA
It wasn't mentioned, which was an oversight on my part - i thought that the car was okay because i was ablet o finish the session and another session afterwards without any issues. also when i did the retainer swap i didnt see any cracks on the retainers so i figured it was gravy.
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 234
From: In BOOST
It wasn't mentioned, which was an oversight on my part - i thought that the car was okay because i was ablet o finish the session and another session afterwards without any issues. also when i did the retainer swap i didnt see any cracks on the retainers so i figured it was gravy.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 85
Likes: 5
From: Long Beach, CA
Long overdue update. Got the car back from Rockstar Garage after the rebuild in late August. Decided to go with a titanium valvetrain upgrade (steel retainers) because I plan on doing some forced induction in the future
Had to drive the car on the 405 as a daily for a month but managed do the 1000mile break in and was finally able to take it to the track two weekends ago at Auto Club Speedway (coincidentally it was my first time competing in an S2k challenge)
The engine was great and the car runs perfectly
Huge thanks to rockstar garage. At the end of the day it was burnt valves caused by an over-rev. GG
Had to drive the car on the 405 as a daily for a month but managed do the 1000mile break in and was finally able to take it to the track two weekends ago at Auto Club Speedway (coincidentally it was my first time competing in an S2k challenge)
The engine was great and the car runs perfectly
Huge thanks to rockstar garage. At the end of the day it was burnt valves caused by an over-rev. GG