How many times have we heard here that "varnish is only a cosmetic stain"? I was even told i had a fetish for believing it can be a nightmare for modern high tech engines.
Seeing as i have a 2005 Honda here with an all to common varnish/sludge issue that basically disables 3 cylinders when the VTEC valve sticks i decided to document it and share it here.
Here is the valve itself,we removed it earlier,cleaned the screen only and reinstalled.We ran Kreen through the engine and the valve did begin to move.It still looks bad but it is much better than before.
This is the small filter that gets clogged.This is very small and takes very little to stop the flow of oil.
The solenoid that gets also stuck when varnished.
The passages in the head.
This is proof that varnish is anything but cosmetic in some if not most modern engines.Most modern engines use some sort of oil fed actuated valves or tensioners to perform different jobs,while the effects may not be as extreme as in this engine the varnish can definitely stick some important components.
This engine had documented 7500 mi OCI with a major brand of synthetic oil, (i will not disclose the brand as it maybe taken as a bash,it is not.The issue here is with the engine design)The PCV had been serviced.
With these engines the question has to be is 7500 to long?
The oil filter had gone into bypass and dumped a lot of junk into the passages.
More passage pics to follow,we will be doing a pan drop for inspection only and will post pics.
Seeing as i have a 2005 Honda here with an all to common varnish/sludge issue that basically disables 3 cylinders when the VTEC valve sticks i decided to document it and share it here.
Here is the valve itself,we removed it earlier,cleaned the screen only and reinstalled.We ran Kreen through the engine and the valve did begin to move.It still looks bad but it is much better than before.
This is the small filter that gets clogged.This is very small and takes very little to stop the flow of oil.
The solenoid that gets also stuck when varnished.
The passages in the head.
This is proof that varnish is anything but cosmetic in some if not most modern engines.Most modern engines use some sort of oil fed actuated valves or tensioners to perform different jobs,while the effects may not be as extreme as in this engine the varnish can definitely stick some important components.
This engine had documented 7500 mi OCI with a major brand of synthetic oil, (i will not disclose the brand as it maybe taken as a bash,it is not.The issue here is with the engine design)The PCV had been serviced.
With these engines the question has to be is 7500 to long?
The oil filter had gone into bypass and dumped a lot of junk into the passages.
More passage pics to follow,we will be doing a pan drop for inspection only and will post pics.