[Veveseinlep]

Afternoon,

I'm currently looking at getting a Honda Prelude 2.2 VTEC and the bloke selling it claims that the VTEC is not operating due to a faulty oil pressure switch. Does this seem like a likely cause or is he just yanking my chain - a new pressure switch is not expensive and this leads me to think it may be something more serious?

He claims he hasnt had time to change it for a new one and that the car is plenty fast enough and more economical without the VTEC engaging (i can believe that).

TIA

edit: mechanically... not whatever rubbish i just put up there

[cemDrymnVem]

He's prolly BS'ing you. Tell him to get a new oil pressure switch and then talk.

[TineSeign]

Got to be honest, I don't know much about the actual in workings of a car, espically a vtec, but if the car is of decent value (ie asking price) and you're uncertain about it, why not get it checked out by a garage, confirm the work is as stated and see if the guy would go halfs on the cost (or work something out).

I'm fairly certain it wouldn't be too expensive to get it checked out... but weigh that up against the cost of the car.

My 2p.

[Veveseinlep]

He's prolly BS'ing you. Tell him to get a new oil pressure switch and then talk.

one point of view... havent actually spoken to him on the phone or in person yet so i havent had the chance to weigh up his character - he does also say that he loves the car and is not happy to see it go in the advert so meh. I'm going to see it friday or saturday if all goes to plan.

802: Sounds like a good idea - i'll see what he has to say about it... although its not an overly expensive car (shade under £2K)

[baronaaba]

That does sound correct, VTEC is controlled by oil pressure. If you engines low on oil or not at the proper pressure it won't engage. As for running better without it, thats bullshit. VTEC doesn't just activate when it's at like 5400rpm, it changes the cam settings at low rpm to get the best fuel mileage

[Darlmtgq]

Just take a look at the car to see if it is VTEC. If the oil pressure system really is out of wake, it will decrease the value a bit and save you some money. It would be like buying a turbo car, but without a working turbo, which equals lower value.


Just pop the hood open. It should say something like 2.2 VTEC or something a long those lines on the valve cover. There is only one other 2.2L and it does not have VTEC, so VTEC will not be printed on the valve cover.
Then on the inside of the car, look at the tachometer. It will have a much higher redline then the non-VTEC motor. The VTEC motor should have the redline starting at 7500rpm and the non-VTEC will start at or around 6500rpm.

There could be much more serious issues other then just the oil pressure switch. If it is cheap, you can just go a head and have the guy put it on, or see if he will let you put it on before you buy to see if that really is the issue.


Good luck though. These cars look great, and is actually a Honda that I wouldn't mind putting around in, as long as I had 200hp at my feet.

[swoluelvede]

vtec is just a bigger lobe on the cam that engages at a certain rpm to keep the vavles open longer, and it is controller by oil pressure so he could be on the money

[Assentesy]

best think to do is drive it and see if the vtec kicks in at whatever rev's its supposed to.

[Darlmtgq]

best think to do is drive it and see if the vtec kicks in at whatever rev's its supposed to.

Well that is the thing. The oil pressure switch is messed up so it will not let VTEC engage no matter the RPM.

[sposteTipsKage]

my friend had a 2.2vtec lude and it was brilliant.
i didnt fit in it very well as its quite a small car interior wise lol.

[baronaaba]

What year is it?

4th gen
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/1...ude.4812-E.jpg

5th gen
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2001/Honda/100001279/2001.honda.prelude.26952-E.jpg