zero_to60

this morning I indadvertently entered VTEC to around 7000rpms with only 2 bars on the temperature guage

Does anyone think I could have damaged the engine (I thought the engine would not allow you to enter VTEC before the engine was warm enough)

Wondering if I have a faulty gauge ie was the engine warmer than was indicated?

Thing is I am normally very careful when the engine is cold but this morning was an exception

I am just hoping no damage has been done

Bassoctopus

You're probably ok, at least the engine had some heat and wasn't on 0 bars.

Just don't do it again!

zero_to60

another thing that worries me is what if the previous owner did it i.e the protection has never been there - mind you it was a privately owned car so probably more likely to have had a kinder life - here's hoping anyway

Tonky

Just forget it, I find you can hit VTEC towards the end of 2 bars. Nothing to worry about IMHO.

zero_to60

the last thing I want is for my S2000 to look like last years BAR Honda F1 Car

Turtle

You'll have done a teeny bit more wear on the engine than normal - that's pretty much it. Waiting till the engine's warm is good practice though. Remember that the temp gauge is water temp not oil temp - so your oil may or may not have been up to temperature. I still use the "4 mile rule". No vtec till at least 4 miles - not just to allow the engine to warm up, but to get some heat into the tires as well.

-Brian.

zero_to60

I am normally really careful with temps/pressures but this morning was one of those days when my attention to the temp gauge lapsed

will be more careful in future

Tonky

I'm not advocating VTEC at 2 bars BTW. Like you, I 've done it occassionally by accident. Brian's right of coourse, the engine oil takes longer to hit temperature than the water so the 4 mile rule is a good one. Not forgetting it takes about the same distance for your tyres to start warming up and generating any grip. If you're in slow moving traffic, the tyres are probably not warming appreciably at all.

AquilaEagle

How soon after did it go to 3? it mighta been right on the verge of 3. When i inadvertently did it once it cut out

Lotusman

for christ sake - the engine is designed to last. Forget it and just enjoy the car.

Sometimes people take things too far with their thoughts on cars like this. I know that it is not the same engine but I had a 1.8 VTi Civic as a company car and hammered from 10 seconds of driving out of the showroom. Had the car for 3 years , 70,000 miles and when I gave it back it was still perfect (and always ragged no matter the temperature).

Not saying you should do it, and the power kick is no where near as good but stop being stupid!!