How do I know my actuator is bad? Some days the car rides like a dream and some days it's sluggish in 3rd-4th Gear. Is this something I can buy from the dealer and install myself?

 

It requires testing. i dont have the manual infront of me to tell you how though

And if it is yes you can install it. its a 10 min install tops

 

How long does it take for them to fix? I don't have an Acura dealer near me and it's a pain trying to get to one and having to make arrangements to drop the car off and stuff like that. What is the other thing that can effect the sluggishness? EGR valve or something like that?

 

its a very easy install (you are talking about the type-s 2nd stage actuator right). Like i said. its like a 10 min install IF that is whats causing it. There could be ALOT of things causing it. Fuel, plugs, coil, egr, ecu, fuel,tranny,in your head??

 

I'll assume you know where it is (behind the intake manifold)

Have someone rev the engine above 4500 rpms I think? and watch for it to open. You should be able to see it turn.

 

Ok..I'll do that this weekend..

 

Actually i think i remember reading 3000 rpm. 4500 ish is where the vtec kicks in

 

You might be right. I don't have one (yet)

 

The IMRC actuator would cause sluggishness in all gears, not just 3-4. My car has good days and bad, personally. Weather affects it. It may be in your head, as Kris suggested.

If it were other problems like bad coil packs or defunct EGR it would be throwing DTCs

 

Could be most likely in my head but I'll check it out this weekend when I'm tearing the car apart to clear my lights. I guess since I'm coming close to the warranty running out ( currently 45K miles ) I want things checked and replaced before it does.

 

Completely understandable. My TL seems finicky. It has really good days and really bad days.

 

ac........tu...a.........tor?

care to explain what it does to some noobs


<---

:P

 

You......don't......have.......it.....cause.....yo u.....have.....a.....99 TL-P

 

The actuator we are speaking of is the 2nd stage actuator in the intake manifold that ONLY the Type-S has. It opens a flap to change the intake (not sure if its the resonance or length) charge

Oh and you cant add it to your intake

 

Not yet.

 

They also said you can't go from a busted 5AT to 6SP

 

You cant physically add it to the 99 intake manifold. (or the TL-P manifold for that matter) The intake itself isnt designed for it. The only thing you can do is SWAP to the type-s manifold, Just like my 5 speed to 6 speed SWAP

 

I knew that...I was uh, just testing you. Yeah that's it.

 

ahhhhhh i c...ok thanks lol