Two questions:

1) Sometimes I will get VTEC at about 6.3k RPM while in 1st gear, then other times, I will not feel the VTEC engage at all while in 1st gear. I will take it all the way to 8.9k and still no VTEC while in 1st. Is this normal? All other gears are good.

2) Also, my VTEC was kicking in right at 6k RPM. Now it is constantly kicking in at around 6.5k RPM no matter what gear. Is this normal for it to change when it engages? I have an '03 AP1 w/37,000 miles.

Thanks,
Ry

 

Check your oil level and all the fittings around the vtec solenoid to make sure it is not leaking. If all seems well, then take it to a shop.

 

You may not feel in engage but it is.

With tachometer lag and all it is difficult to determine exactly what rpm you are going into vtec without some sort of parameter recording device.

 

Ok, so should I have VTEC in 1st gear all the time?

I checked my oil...during this monitoring process of pushing VTEC constantly I've eaten up an "X" on my dipstick. Still only one "X" below "HIGH". So - I have oil in there. Haven't been losin' any.

...and where is the VTEC solenoid - and what would it be leaking?

 

If it cracks and leaks out all the VTEC fluid then you're up sh!t creek. Honda doesn't import the stuff anymore because it has been banned in the States. You'll need to ebay some more.

 

how often do you change your ^^ vtec fluid?

 

 

lets try to be helpful for crying out loud.

 

If you VTEC is not engaging in 1st gear...your car will struggle to get to 9k or not even make it there. So if you are having a smooth acceleration up to 9k your VTEC is kicking in.

 

1.) Try it at wide open throttle (floor it) and see if can feel it.

2.)I think the point at which VTEC engages can vary slighty. As far as what can keep VTEC from engaging, or what criteria must be met I found a thread on another forum that goes into it a little. I only scanned the first post so that's all I'm really talking about.
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=830163

EDIT: I only point this out because my money is simply on the throttle position. Punch it in 1st, see if you feel it.