Problem with VTEC

[KGP]

Hey guys,
Maybe one of you can answer this. This came from an email asking for help. I figured I would post it here to get an answer and start some sort of technical talk (believe it or not, thats what I intended for this forum) rather than the usual giberish.

The guys question is as follows:
"i have a JDM B16a obd0, and Im having problems with the vtech system. there is what is called a plunger inside the vtec solenoid. it suppose to be free moving, pivoting up and down. well mine just sits there. it spins and comes out just fine. i have looked every where for a diagram of the system or just someone who may know what im talking about. i dont know if guys deal with this sort of thing, but your knowledge on the subject would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.

[Sal]

I would normally say to try and find a working sylenoid and just replacing it, but since its an OBD-0 motor, i believe you will need an OBD-0 vtec sylenoid, and that will probably be very tough to find. I dont think you can get one from a Honda dealership because the OBD-0 B16's were only offered in japan and US Honda dealerships cant order JDM Honda parts for some reason. I've never personally opened up a vtec sylenoid so i really wouldnt know what to try other than just replacing it... hopefully someone else knows more info on the plunger in the sylenoid and possibly knows how to repair the problem without having to replace the sylenoid itslelf.

[zcbeast914]

just clean it out with carb cleaner and then put it back then if not get a new vtec sol. ctr sol. would be nuts for the b16

[Erik]

im pretty sure you can use any b series vtec solenoid... i know i had a 94 coupe with a jdm 90 b16a motor blew it up and switched to a 99 si b16 and i used the 90 b16a soleniod becuase the coupe was a dx and my vtec wires were hardwired togetherand soldered so i just wanted to leave them alone... so you figure it was a obd1 car with a obd2 motor using a obd0 vtec soleniod.... and i had a boy that had a b16 wit a gsr soleniod...so that goes to show why im pretty sure all b series are the same

[mmuller]

the piston he's talking about has a spring on the bottom of it that pushes it up , higher than the surface of the vtec valve body. the solenoid then is screwed on top. when the solenoid activates it allows oil to push down on the piston.

any vtec valve (aka solenoid) internals will work
all b series solenoids are interchangeable, only difference is the solenoid plug between obd's
even obd1 sohc vtec will work

[lgjp2631]

the piston he's talking about has a spring on the bottom of it that pushes it up , higher than the surface of the vtec valve body. the solenoid then is screwed on top. when the solenoid activates it allows oil to push down on the piston.

any vtec valve (aka solenoid) internals will work
all b series solenoids are interchangeable, only difference is the solenoid plug between obd's
even obd1 sohc vtec will work

i have used sohc solenoids on my dohc set ups.i found it best to take the black wire (ground) from the oil presure switch and groung it out.v-tec pops louder and harder.just my $0.02. try putting power to the v-tec solenoid to see if it clicks good if not its bad.or clogged up.take the inside screen out and clean it real goodin and out.should be fine.if anything its very easy to switch the connectors from obd 0,1 or 2. later,jay

[lgjp2631]

take some pics and post them up.it will help us all out