I don't have a code reader now but I just got a CEL. My car has about 170,000 miles with spark plugs changed at 100k. Car is kinda sluggish, but nothing really drastic. Could it be the O2 sensor? I know details are limited...I'll post again later when I get home.

 

Only one way to find out

 

Lol, thanks. Oddly enough, i just got gas this morning and it was still on. However, it went away after starting the car again after stopping for coffee.

Anyway does anyone know if I should replace the o2 sensors at 170k?

 

Gas cap was loose. Think you solved it. Remember - if it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

Ah, hopefully that was just it. Youre right about only fixing broken things, just checked and o2 sensors are $180 each, ouch!

 

If you see that CEL again then start suspecting. I nursed an O2 in my Cadillac for quite a while. It would occasionally trip the light on an up-hill acceleration on a cold start. On the Cadillac you can clear codes right off the dash, so that's what I would do and all would be fine.

The OBDII will set a code at a fault and the CEL will light when it's associated with the emission systems. If it's a temporary fault it will clear itself [CEL off] after three clean starts I believe, but the code remains in history for an extended number of clean starts and then it clears.

Gas cap issues [emission related] correct themselves soon after the cap is secured and do not seem to take three clean starts.

 

OK, had my mechanic neighbor check it with his code reader. It showed P2647 - "Rocker arm actuator stuck on Bank 1". He said it's the first time he saw that code. he cleared it and advised me to just drive the car and see if it comes on, then we'll check the codes again. I think his reader was a Nova?

Anyone got this code before?

EDIT: Just searched around and code P2647 for Honda is "VTEC Oil Pressure Switch Circuit High Voltage". Anyone know what this is?

 

The Vtec Oil Switch is what makes a Vtec work. It engages the high cam at a certain RPM. Could be an intermittent problem or a bad switch or something else related, runs off oil pressure. Check oil level.

A bit dated and a different Code, however, I think this basic explaination hits it: How Honda's VTEC System Works

 

Thanks a lot K_C! Oil level is about 3/10 or 4/10 between the two dots, so it may be good. I'll just drive the car around and see if the CEL comes on again, then it probably is a bad switch. Good thing is, it's a lot cheaper than an o2 sensor.

 

Bump the oil - when was it last full?

 

Last time I changed the oil was 1700 miles ago, about 3 weeks ago. I think filled it at that level, should I put more?

 

No, well maybe - you are not loosing oil, correct?

I try to fill to the fill line - not above. It is summer, it's hot and the engine might like a full glass of oil.

 

Not that I know of. If I'm losing oil, probably just a little bit. It doesn't go below the 1st dot/hole on the dipstick for sure. I'll probably just put some in just to be sure, thanks again!