Cripton805
New Member
DIY: Vtec Solenoid Replace & Gasket!!!
Ok. So I know some people don't know what a Vtec solenoid is or that they can leak oil.
So here's a write up for the newbs "or" non newbs that need the info.![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Honda does NOT recommend that you take this piece apart, but these gaskets are prone to fail and some reps will even argue that they DO NOT sell this gasket. That is false.
Another common problem is the myth that B series Vtec solenoids are different. "they are not"
I will never say that H or D series fit unless I do it myself. I do not know.
For this DIY I'm replacing my USDM B18C1 Vtec solenoid for a JDM B16A solenoid AND replacing the gasket. (haha 2 for 1)
PRE-STEP! (TAKE OFF NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL THEN UNPLUG THE VTEC SOLENOID)
1. Locate the Vtec solenoid and use 10mm socket to remove the 3 bolts.
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
2. This is what is should look like taken off.
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
3. Remove old leaky gasket and it should look like this (clean very well after removal. I hadn't yet)
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
4. Clean the bottom other half of the Vtec solenoid bolted to the head.
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
5. Obtain a new gasket and a small screen filter is attached.
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
6. Place the gasket / screen on the Vtec solenoid with the screen filter going "UP' inside the small hole.
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
7. VERY IMPORTANT! = Carefully place back on and "HAND" tighten the three bolts.
Torque the bolts to 7.2 ft/lb and NO MORE. Plug the Vtec solenoid back in and plug in your negative termial.
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
THIS IS WHAT A BROKEN VTEC SOLENOID LOOKS LIKE IF YOU OVER-TIGHTEN! BE VERY CAREFUL
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
I hope this is useful to people and please post as a sticky to later refer to.
If you see any mistakes, please PM me / comment and I'll research the mistake.
I am not responsible to your negligence or anything you do to your car. thx
FOR THE JDM B16 SOLENOID I HAD TO REMOVE THE SMALL GASKET IN THE PLUG AND A PLASTIC PIECE. I AM NOT SURE WHICH PLUGS ARE LIKE THIS
BEFORE TO AFTER TO FIT B18C1
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Please provide positive Rep. If this helped you. That would be greatly appreciated! thanks!
Ok. So I know some people don't know what a Vtec solenoid is or that they can leak oil.
So here's a write up for the newbs "or" non newbs that need the info.
Honda does NOT recommend that you take this piece apart, but these gaskets are prone to fail and some reps will even argue that they DO NOT sell this gasket. That is false.
Another common problem is the myth that B series Vtec solenoids are different. "they are not"
I will never say that H or D series fit unless I do it myself. I do not know.
For this DIY I'm replacing my USDM B18C1 Vtec solenoid for a JDM B16A solenoid AND replacing the gasket. (haha 2 for 1)
PRE-STEP! (TAKE OFF NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL THEN UNPLUG THE VTEC SOLENOID)
1. Locate the Vtec solenoid and use 10mm socket to remove the 3 bolts.
![](http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/8594/imag0119p.jpg)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
2. This is what is should look like taken off.
![](http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/115/imag0126uf.jpg)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
3. Remove old leaky gasket and it should look like this (clean very well after removal. I hadn't yet)
![](http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/1218/imag0127s.jpg)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
4. Clean the bottom other half of the Vtec solenoid bolted to the head.
![](http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/9923/imag0128d.jpg)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
5. Obtain a new gasket and a small screen filter is attached.
![](http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/348/imag0129q.jpg)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
6. Place the gasket / screen on the Vtec solenoid with the screen filter going "UP' inside the small hole.
![](http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/4876/imag0130x.jpg)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
7. VERY IMPORTANT! = Carefully place back on and "HAND" tighten the three bolts.
Torque the bolts to 7.2 ft/lb and NO MORE. Plug the Vtec solenoid back in and plug in your negative termial.
![](http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/8482/imag0118e.jpg)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
THIS IS WHAT A BROKEN VTEC SOLENOID LOOKS LIKE IF YOU OVER-TIGHTEN! BE VERY CAREFUL
![](http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/2470/imag0123p.jpg)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
I hope this is useful to people and please post as a sticky to later refer to.
If you see any mistakes, please PM me / comment and I'll research the mistake.
I am not responsible to your negligence or anything you do to your car. thx
FOR THE JDM B16 SOLENOID I HAD TO REMOVE THE SMALL GASKET IN THE PLUG AND A PLASTIC PIECE. I AM NOT SURE WHICH PLUGS ARE LIKE THIS
BEFORE TO AFTER TO FIT B18C1
![](http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/4315/imag0133x.jpg)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
![](http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/7413/imag0132qq.jpg)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
![](http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/7865/imag0134x.jpg)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Please provide positive Rep. If this helped you. That would be greatly appreciated! thanks!
Last edited: