I can't get engine to reach maximum RPM's in any gear

Tiny
AUDIGSR
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 ACURA INTEGRA
  • 173,338 MILES
Can you tell me what might be causing my car to redline @ 6000 rpms and my vtec is not going like it should. What could be wrong? In 1st gr my car redlines @ about 6000 rpms. And 2nd gr is about the same. When I shift into 3rd gr my car loses all power it seems like. The vtec wont crack open. I redline @ like 5500 and it only gets worse in 4th and 5th gr. Right now in 5th gr pedal to the floor my car is topping out @ 90-95 mph. When my vtec does engage in 1st and 2nd gr. It is more noise then anything. There is no power to it. Can u please help me out? I have been all over the web searching for what it might be.
Thursday, October 13th, 2011 AT 11:58 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Is this an automatic trans or manual shift? It sounds like the clutch is slipping or there is a problem with the trans control manual. Have any warning lights come on.
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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 12:20 AM
Tiny
AUDIGSR
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Its a manual trans. How could it be the clutch slipping? Shifts into gears just fine. And no warning lights have came on.
Dont know how to explain it.
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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 12:35 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Does the vehicle accellerate with the engine speed? Or, does the engine rev and the vehicle no speed up normally?
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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 1:00 AM
Tiny
AUDIGSR
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
The car accelerates fine up to about 4500 rpms. And thats when the Vtec engages. But 1st & 2nd gr are the only ones that its somewhat engaging in. But when it does engage its all noise it seems like. Doesn't make my car accelerate faster like it should and its redlines @ 6000 rpms when I should be redlining @ 8200 1st-5th gr. I checked my vtec solenoid and its working how it should. Cleaned the screen and everything. I also replaced the vtec pressure switch. And that didn't fix it. Someone told me my oil pump might be going out but I have perfect oil pressure. Idk its like something is restricting my car from going passed 6000 rpms.
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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 1:33 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Was anything done prior to this occurring?
Have you checked the throttle cable adjustment. If it is not opening fully, you could have a partially opened throttle when you try to redline it.
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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 1:17 PM
Tiny
AUDIGSR
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I had a new distributor put in and like a cpl weeks after that it started to act up and then it got worse to the point it is now. And I also had header and exhaust put on. And the shop I have taken it to wants to look along the lines of the fuel pump or something along those lines. What do you say?
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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 9:45 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
After replacement of the distributor, was the ignition timing set correctly?

When was the header and exhaust put on? If is in for performance, you could have the problem here.

This Vtec engine does not take lightly to modifications to the exhaust and headers and if it does not match correctly, you are going to affect the performance.

Have the fuel pressure checked.
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Saturday, October 15th, 2011 AT 1:17 AM
Tiny
AUDIGSR
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
So your saying since I had my distributor replaced and headers and exhaust put in. And they are after market exhaust and headers. I need to get my car re-tuned? And I will get my fuel pressure checked. And get back to you on that one. Anything else that could be a possibility I should check out?
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Monday, October 17th, 2011 AT 9:30 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Ignition timing is a critical part of engine performance and replacement of the distributor means the timing has been tampered with. A timing light is required to check and adjust the ignition timing. If it was not done, that is the first thing you should do.
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Tuesday, October 18th, 2011 AT 1:47 PM
Tiny
AUDIGSR
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Is it possible for me to send you a video of what is happening? So you can see the rpms go and also hear how my engine sounds? Cuz if so I will take a video later on and send it to you and see if you can get a better idea of what I'm trying to explain is going on.
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Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 AT 9:37 PM
Tiny
AUDIGSR
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Is it possible for me to send you a video of what is going on when I drive it so you can see the rpms move and what happens when it gets to 6000rpms and also hear what it sounds like when vtec is suppose to engage?
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Thursday, October 20th, 2011 AT 8:21 PM
Tiny
AUDIGSR
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Can I send you a video of what Im talking about so you can get an Idea? See the rpms go up and hear and see what happens when it gets to 6000 rpms?
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Thursday, October 20th, 2011 AT 9:09 PM
Tiny
AUDIGSR
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I have a video of how my car acts. Can you email me @ jager.69@hotmail. Com and I can send you the video?
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Friday, October 21st, 2011 AT 9:36 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Sorry for the delay in replying. The site was undergoing some technical problems and I could not answer any questions for the past week.

The engine is designed to cut off, ie run on one cylinder, to prevent it from over-revving when a certain rpm is reached. This would occur at a lower rpm when there is a fault with one or more sensors so you need to recheck for trouble codes.

Have you checked the throttle cable adjustment and ignition timing?
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Wednesday, October 26th, 2011 AT 6:41 AM
Tiny
AUDIGSR
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
No I have not. I will do that tho. But can you send me your email or something and can I send you a video of my rpms and so you can hear and see what is happening when it reaches 6000 in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gr? Thats bout when I get to 60mph now anyways.
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Wednesday, October 26th, 2011 AT 9:18 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
If you have a link, you can just post the link to the video from here.

My email is :

khlow@2carpros. Com
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Thursday, October 27th, 2011 AT 1:24 AM

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