I noticed a oil leak coming from the passenger side of the cylinder head, after investigating i found damage to the cylinder head where the bottom bolt of the V-tech Solenoid goes. It looks like the previous owner has destroyed the thread. I don't think i can tap it as the damage is too extensive but was wondering if I could clean it up with a grinder, drill the hole through to the other end, and use a bolt and nut instead? Also did they weld there or is that just some type of silicone?

 

Looks like silicone.. And I don't see why you couldn't use a bolt and nut. Its not like the vtec solenoid moves around.

 

Do you know what material type of bolt I should use? Thanks so much for getting back to me. my heart nearly stopped when I looked at the price of a new head.

 

Almost looks like the gaskets were leaking and someone tried to repair the leak with RTV instead of replacing the gaskets. Search the forum, there are aftermarket parts available and I believe Ballade has them as well. Good luck.

 

If it was my car, I'd repair it with a Timesert.

 

Would a time insert work considering they cut out the side? Also is it clean enough to put the solenoid back on? or should I use something to clean it up more?

 

Not a lot of material to work with
what about metal epoxy and retap it

 

Will that hold? isn't the bolt and nut idea better?

 

unrelated but what the hell was the guy thinking who originally did this lol... I would also go with just the nut and bolt since that's the easiest and see what happens.

 

The nut is your best idea, guaranteed.

Use a dremel to work the backside area so the nut sits square and flat. There is more than enough metal there to achieve full clamp load on the solonoid.

Be VERY careful you do not cut into the oil feed bore for the tct, that comes down from the VTEC valve. Look inside the tct hole, find the oil port, folllow it up. You'll see what I mean.