Help....Cam install problem

9045 Views 56 Replies 24 Participants Last post by 2xSi, Jul 11, 2009

2xSi

Discussion Starter · Jun 21, 2009 (Edited)

Help....Cam install problem UPDATE

Help...Installed the Toruku cams and now I am getting CEL and VSA. Dashhawk can't find any codes. Disconnected the battery and that doesn't help. Car seems to be running fine?????

Update 07/10/2009

The distance between the thrust plate and cam trigger were out of specs on the Toruku cams. Tower 5 is .785in and the cams only have .785. I measured 3 different tower 5s with a caliper. I also measured the clearance with a feeler gauge. I have 2 sets of Toruku and both sets have the same problem. Today I went to install a set of Go Power drop in cams and found out that the VTC actuator was also damaged when the cams destroyed tower 5(I hope the valves are OK). I have returned 3 of the cams to Toruku and I am waiting for a refund. They have answered my emails but have been skeptical of my problem and the specs( see the vid my son made). These things can happen to any manufacturer. The important thing now, is how they will repond to the customer.

I want to thank Jeff Giovino of Go Power for all the help he has provided. He saw this thread when I first posted it. I was not his customer and we do not know each other. The guy has provided me with lots of his time, information and parts. He has emailed, PMed and called me on numerous occasions He got me a replacement tower 5 from his shop. Honda does NOT sell the towers. You have to buy the cylinder head. Today when I went to install the Go Power drop in cams(you do not need to upgrade the valvetrain) is when I realized my VTC actuator had also been damaged. When I called Go Power today and asked for Jeff, I was told he was on the dyno. You could here his Si screaming in the backround. He called me back 10 minutes later. I told him about the VTC. He told me he had them in the shop(my local Honda dealers did not), he shipped one within 5 minutes in order to make the cutoff time. I have not even paid him for the VTC. He told me he would email the price later.

I am 52 years old. I am on here because both my kids have an Si, I wanted to teach them a little about cars and to work on projects together. Jeff Giovino and Go Power have provided the best customer service I have ever experienced. If you guys want cams, you need to give them a call.

See less See more

2

1 - 20 of 57 Posts

skinsfn36

· #2 · Jun 21, 2009

You're getting a VSA? also, if your DashHawk can't read it then I have no idea

hondagirl

· #3 · Jun 21, 2009

dash hawk does not read all codes. some take a special reader look up the reader auto enginuity and get the one for hondas it cost a lil more then the regular scan tool but that honda add on to it will let you see over 200 sensors in the car.

as far as the cams throughin codes you probly have to tune them and the vsa could have somthing to do with the computer thinking there is a stuck throttle because of the aggressive cams

hondagirl

· #4 · Jun 21, 2009

bump for possible more info

Bboy_Burst

· #5 · Jun 21, 2009 (Edited)

the VSA light is not the same as CEL. the regular CEL tools won't be able to read it. it's probably a harness problem or maybe the VSA button doesn't work and needs to be replace. if you have the manual, you can diagnose the problem, otherwise take it to the dealer.

for the CEL, make sure you plug in all the sensor. i had some CEL when my cams were install, but it was due to forgetting to plug back in all the sensors. if that doesn't fix your problem, then it's probably because the timing is off due to installation error. how did you install them?? did you install one cam at a time or did you take out both cams?? did you mark where exactly the timing chain suppose to be??

get a different code reader and see what the CEL is.

2xSi

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 21, 2009

Installed one at a time. Marked the chain, installed with the dot on the mark perfectly. The problem just got worse....had to be towed home. Started accelerating up highway ramp and it died. Did not make any strange sounds, it just quit. Car will not start

hondagirl

· #7 · Jun 21, 2009

wow!!!!!!! i hope you upgraded your valve train sounds as if you may have had valve float.
you didnt get any bang noise then dead did you

Go-pwr

· #8 · Jun 21, 2009

Cams can be a tricky if the installer has not done them before. A plug not put in or plugs reversed will give a check engine light. It is hard to know without seeing what the CEL is.

The Toruku street cams run without upgrading the valve springs so I do not think it will be that however anything is possible.

Keep us informed on what goes on.

WhiteSicivic06

· #9 · Jun 22, 2009

I didnt have any probs with my TSX cams. How aggressive are these Toruku Cams? You shoulda def upgraded the valvetrain when the cams were out. Good luck though.

FA5VL

· #10 · Jun 22, 2009

It may be that your timing is off.

Go-pwr

· #11 · Jun 22, 2009

I am guessing that he installed Toruku Street profile, which has more lift than the stock cams (approx. .010 more on the intake and about .050" more exhaust) and almost the same durations as stock, so the valvetrain upgrade is not that important with those.

My guess is that the install could be off.

2xSi

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jun 22, 2009 (Edited)

Go-pwr said:
I am guessing that he installed Toruku Street profile, which has more lift than the stock cams (approx. .010 more on the intake and about .050" more exhaust) and almost the same durations as stock, so the valvetrain upgrade is not that important with those.

My guess is that the install could be off.

Followed the install guide carefully we're going to open it up and look for the problem tomorrow.

It seemed to be running fine until i Vtec'ed onto the highway (which is when it died).

List of errors before it died:

VSA (both the letters AND the /!\ symbol) appeared on dash.

Cruise control would light up green like normal but wouldn't engage and show the second CC light.

Check engine light appeared on dash.

See less See more

w00t692

· #13 · Jun 22, 2009

Wish our engine was as dead on as the s2000. Even 1 tooth off when installing cams and it won't start.

Go-pwr

· #14 · Jun 22, 2009

Keep us informed as it will be good information for everyone. Once you get a flash pro you will be able to see the codes and know what is going on.

cuzzybubba1

· #15 · Jun 22, 2009

2xSi said:
Followed the install guide carefully we're going to open it up and look for the problem tomorrow.

It seemed to be running fine until i Vtec'ed onto the highway (which is when it died).

List of errors before it died:

VSA (both the letters AND the /!\ symbol) appeared on dash.

Cruise control would light up green like normal but wouldn't engage and show the second CC light.

Check engine light appeared on dash.

hnoes: Keep us updated!

2RotorMotor

· #16 · Jun 22, 2009

put the #1 in tdc and take a pic of the cam gears... I bet my money that your timing is off. did you check to make sure you didnt switch the cam position sensors? if you had left a plug off, the car wouldnt hit vtec.

FA5VL

· #17 · Jun 22, 2009

timing is off, which guide did you use? i wouldn't vtec it anymore until the problem is resolve.

2xSi

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jun 22, 2009

FA5VL said:
timing is off, which guide did you use? i wouldn't vtec it anymore until the problem is resolve.

LMAO i wish i COULD Vtec the car won't start.. I have a couple friends coming over to help me turn the car around (It's in the garage at the moment too close to one side and facing the wrong way). Then I'll open it up and see if i can see anything wrong.

FA5VL

· #19 · Jun 22, 2009 (Edited)

2xSi said:
LMAO i wish i COULD Vtec the car won't start.. I have a couple friends coming over to help me turn the car around (It's in the garage at the moment too close to one side and facing the wrong way). Then I'll open it up and see if i can see anything wrong.

check the number of teeth between the markers on the int/exh cams.

See less See more

2xSi

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jun 22, 2009 (Edited)

I found the problem, not as bad as it could of been but it is.... bad. Timing was not an issue. The intake cam was not seated properly on the bearing/cap #5. The cam seemed to be 1mm off to the left on dissassembly. I don't know how I did it the cap was seated properly, at least it looked that way. Worst part is Honda does not sell the rocker assembly. Have to buy the entire head! Here are some damaged and undamaged parts for comparison.
BEFORE

AFTER

See less See more

6

1 - 20 of 57 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.