How to: Vtec Solenoid Cleaning

Vtec Solenoid Screen Cleaning How To

Tools Needed
-Tape (to mark spark plug wires)
-Stubby Phillips Screw Driver
-3/8” Wrench
-3” Extension for 3/8” Wrench
-10 mm Socket
-Small Rag
-Cleaning Solution of your choice
Edit - 12/13/08 I actually didn't clean mine due to it being clean as i took it apart. Please use your own common sense as to what to clean the screen with.





Here Are The Steps
-Its advised to perform this on a cold engine. Mine sat for 6 hours before I did this.

-Below is the area where this part is located. Its on the passanger side of the valve cover. Mark spark plug wires with tape so you remember where they go. Pull them off of the distributor and pop them out of the last bracket/holder right outside of the spark plug cover like so...







-Remove the grey connector. Squeeze and pull type. (Located next to the green one)



-Remove the Phillips screw circled in yellow, below, for the bracket that has the female end of the grey connector and the spark plug wire holder/loom. Becareful not to lose this screw, its small. This bracket should be connected to the Vtec solenoid still and thats okay, just move it gently to the side and don’t tug on that connected wire still so you don't break it.







-Remove the green connector that has the yellow arrow pointing to it, which is the Vtec pressure switch. Squeeze and pull it straight back then tuck it to the side.



-Get your rag handy and grab your wrench and 10mm socket. There are 3 bolts that go around the Solenoid, Circled below. One is at the top right, one is at the middle left and one is at the bottom right. Place your rag under solenoid and remove the bolts. I was surprised at how little oil came out. Don't be scared.







-You should now have the solenoid completely removed from the engine. When removing the screen/gasket, I popped it up with some small medical scissors all around itself, as to not be tugging on it as I pulled it out. My screen was clean but this gave me a chance to clean up a cam seal leak I had a while ago and I figured I’d document this. Here are some more pictures for reference. Those 3 bolts on the top of the solenoid do not need to be removed. But if you feel it neccessary, be careful, there are loose parts under that piece.








-Put everything back in reverse order(torque reference is below). I did reuse the gasket. No leaks here.



General/misc notes-
-Torque on the 3 10mm bolts around the solenoid is : 8.7 ft lbs
- If you feel the need to replace the screen and gasket, it is part number 15825-P13-005 and is listed as Filter Assy., Spool Valve.

Awesome, adding to the resource thread.

I tried cleaning the vtec solenoid on my friends mustang the other day, I followed the pictures and everything but I just cant seem to figure out what im doing wrong...

What year Mustang? They don't all copy Honda and come with Ford's version VCT or Vi-VCT...

How do you know when you need to clean the VTEC Solenoid?

VTEC may not engage at the correct time, may turn on and off rapidly, or may not engage at all.

It's somewhat of a preventative maintenance item, but also comes into play when trying to diagnose the "why isn't my vtec kicking in!?" threads.

catacon wrote:How do you know when you need to clean the VTEC Solenoid?

yea, the 6th picture down from the top... theres a screen that oil flows thru. Over time, the screen can become clogged, therefore not engaging MMMMBBBAAAHHHHH (VTEC)


This one is clogged -

great write up bro