Originally Posted By: vinu_neuro
This is not a new problem with a Honda engine. Major rocker and cam wear has also been an issue with some H22's. Not common, but more than a few instances, all with proper valve lash. OEM and aftermarket cams/valvetrain. In this motor it's alwaysthe vtec rocker and lobe on the exhaust side. It's been an issue only the last few years. Many have speculated it's a problem with SM oils and the lack of ZDDP. I'm afraid mine are starting to show some wear as well.
One example, the intake side of the head doesn't have the oil staining. Amsoil S2K 0W-30 was used at the time:
This is one that was caught early:
Not sure if the J32 applies to this but I'm glad it's always had an oil with lots of ZDDP.
The Turbo Buicks had a problem with the #3 exhaust lobe but it wasn't the oil, the lifter was centered perfectly on the cam lobe so the lifter wouldn't rotate. Within a few miles of putting in stiffer valvesprings, especially with a more aggressive cam, the cam was flat and if you were lucky only the turbo was ruined. Only way to fix it was a different block.
Another disaster was the "budget roller" cam setup. Very cheap, took out 100s of GN engines due to insufficiently hardened cams.
My only point is I wonder if it was the oil in the Hondas or a design flaw.
This is not a new problem with a Honda engine. Major rocker and cam wear has also been an issue with some H22's. Not common, but more than a few instances, all with proper valve lash. OEM and aftermarket cams/valvetrain. In this motor it's alwaysthe vtec rocker and lobe on the exhaust side. It's been an issue only the last few years. Many have speculated it's a problem with SM oils and the lack of ZDDP. I'm afraid mine are starting to show some wear as well.
One example, the intake side of the head doesn't have the oil staining. Amsoil S2K 0W-30 was used at the time:
This is one that was caught early:
Not sure if the J32 applies to this but I'm glad it's always had an oil with lots of ZDDP.
The Turbo Buicks had a problem with the #3 exhaust lobe but it wasn't the oil, the lifter was centered perfectly on the cam lobe so the lifter wouldn't rotate. Within a few miles of putting in stiffer valvesprings, especially with a more aggressive cam, the cam was flat and if you were lucky only the turbo was ruined. Only way to fix it was a different block.
Another disaster was the "budget roller" cam setup. Very cheap, took out 100s of GN engines due to insufficiently hardened cams.
My only point is I wonder if it was the oil in the Hondas or a design flaw.