iVTEC How It Works

[EricTheCarGuy]

While doing the K series valve adjustment video, I decided to shoot this video on how iVTEC works. It’s a little different than standard VTEC, but the end result is the same, a variable camshaft that can accommodate a wide variety of conditions. What are your thoughts?

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[David Roddick]

That was a very interesting video. You really helped us non-pros understand the process. Thanks!

[Michael]

Great informational video on how Hondas VTEC system works. But I wonder why honda uses VTEC on there V6 engines. And not i-VTEC? But yes cant go wrong with variable valve timing

[Bill]

Extremely well done Eric, IMO. I’m sure it is very informative for most viewers.

[ourkid2000]

I think it would be helpful to also mention the newer R18 engine which is in most regular Civics these days. The I-VTEC in those engines works completely different than what is depicted here by Eric. I’m not sure how prevalent this system is in the rest of Honda’s lineup.

The Vtec system on this engine is completely re-designed from the Honda Vtecs of the past and it had me thrown off for a while. Turns out that with this engine, the “hot cam” lobes are engaged by default. It is only when certain criteria are met such as cruising speed, throttle position, etc that the rocker arm oil control solenoid is engaged by the ECU. Once engaged, the “economy lobes” of the cam are actuated for fuel economy. So, it works completely opposite to the traditional Honda Vtecs of the past.

I had a CEL with code P2647 (Rocker arm actuator stuck on bank 1) this past summer and my findings were very interesting. I was thrown off for a while because I had the Vtec system completely backwards. In the end, I solved the problem with a new oil pressure sensor. Check out my thread here: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/8-Service-and-Repair-Questions-Answered-Here/51688-06-civic-1-8-lx-p2647

[EricTheCarGuy]

[quote=”ourkid2000″ post=123208]I think it would be helpful to also mention the newer R18 engine which is in most regular Civics these days. The I-VTEC in those engines works completely different than what is depicted here by Eric. I’m not sure how prevalent this system is in the rest of Honda’s lineup.

The Vtec system on this engine is completely re-designed from the Honda Vtecs of the past and it had me thrown off for a while. Turns out that with this engine, the “hot cam” lobes are engaged by default. It is only when certain criteria are met such as cruising speed, throttle position, etc that the rocker arm oil control solenoid is engaged by the ECU. Once engaged, the “economy lobes” of the cam are actuated for fuel economy. So, it works completely opposite to the traditional Honda Vtecs of the past.

I had a CEL with code P2647 (Rocker arm actuator stuck on bank 1) this past summer and my findings were very interesting. I was thrown off for a while because I had the Vtec system completely backwards. In the end, I solved the problem with a new oil pressure sensor. Check out my thread here: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/8-Service-and-Repair-Questions-Answered-Here/51688-06-civic-1-8-lx-p2647%5B/quote%5D

I’m not as familiar with that system but I’ll look into it. Thanks for the heads up.

[Ian Williams]

Really interesting video , it’s explained in a way that is easy to understand and also very detailed

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[Andrew Button]

I always thought that VTEC was a hamster wheel under the valve cover that was connected to the Crankshaft, and when the car hit a certain RPM, that hamster running on the wheel under the valve cover would get a caffeine injection thus spinning the wheel faster, thus added torque that otherwise would not be there in the normal Honda engine. I guess I thought it was something more special than an extra cam lobe.

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