Since my 95 GSR w/210k mi now rides smooth I've naturally been winding the crap out of it. Unfortunately, the VTEC has stopped engaging, or is intermittent. It sort of sputtered the other morning at the 4400 rev engagement point and now it doesn't engage or only does a little or it cuts out (the extra VTEC ooomph). Otherwise it runs fine. What's up with this? I don't know a whole lot about it, but I rebuilt the head after the timing belt broke so I know a little.

 

First thing to check is oil level.
If it's low and oil pressure isn't within spec, the ECU will intervene and the VTEC solenoid will not open.

It is common for the motor to consume oil while in VTEC.. so if you've been running hard, it's possible that you're just down on oil.

 

You may want to also remove the vtec solenoid and check to make sure the screen isn't clogged.

 

It looks like the oil level is at the bottom mark so I'll ad a quart.

I have the Haynes manual and I was looking at it last night. I remember the VTEC module thing when I rebuilt the head but I didn't know what it was! Anyhow there is a pic of the screen in there so I'll ad a quart of oil and pull the module and clean that screen.

Speaking of oil, what are you guys using? I use the M1 15-50 extended stuff w/changes at about 7000mi. I drive a lot, like 40k/year

 

I would still only use "5w 30w" no matter how miles you have

 

Ditto...
The motors are designed to run on 5W-30...

 

I did look again at the stick and it was a few quarts low! ouch! sorry bearing gods! Alright I'll get lighter oil.