Is your dashboard backlight flickering at idle?

 

I have the same problem. I can't feel when vtech kicks in. What's a vtec solenoid filter? How do I check or clean it?

 

If you're getting the crossover SOUND its engaging vtec, definitely. Most likely you're not making mroe power under vtec due to the new oil so the engagement seems LESS ABRUPT.

 

this seems unlikely. this is the first time i've ever not been able to feel the change, after over 100 oil changes, using the exact same oil.

 

if your VTEC wasn't working then the CEL light would come on.

 

so what you're saying is...it's working, and after 6 years of ownership, i don't know what vtec feels like?

 

well maybe you have gotten used it. i also think that i dont feel the change over.... but i sure do feel the change over with my bro's supercharged s2k!

 

Pull the cat. With what you are experiencing, you'll find that your cat is fouled.

I had kind of the same thing that happened.
High mileage car unexpectedly dies. Got the car back together and felt it lost a ton of power, engine got loud, and you could tell it was struggling. It ended up being the cat was fouled. Unburned fuel and catalytic don't mix well.

 

I cant tell you that you're making the power you're supposed to be, perhaps what someone said about your cat being fouled is true...but if you hear the distinct crossover sound, the vtec cams are definitely on. Perhaps its a fuel/ignition timing/exhaust restriction problem. Stop looking at the VTEC system and look at all the other parts first!