P2646 Solved K24 Honda Element Accord CRV

If you've ever suffered with your Honda being in limp mode (won't accelerate passed 55mph or 2800rpm). Then this is the video for you. After a lot of research, and 25 years of real world experience in the automotive field building race cars and doing general repair work, we've come to the fix, finally, for the infamous P2646 and P2647 code. Which is for the Spool valve solenoid or VTEC solenoid.
To make it easy there are three main causes. For all K24's, the first is the oil itself. For Element's specifically water intrusion plays a major roll in this code setting. And thirdly the oil pressure switch on the Spool valve could be leaking and the spool valve needs replacing.
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All part numbers are available and I will add those to this description eventually.

[@06drodriguez]

Dude you are a flipping genius. This is the best, most comprehensive P2646 explanation/fix I have ever seen, and I've seen a LOT. I'm in the process of trying to fix this code again, beating myself up, going through every line in the manual, thinking it's all my fault...although thanks to your video I found out some things I could improve on, now I know I'm not crazy. I got Dorman parts and non-Honda filters. And I'm gonna try the oil fix you specified. Gonna have to get a Honda VTEC solenoid, but no problem, money well spent if it fixes the issue. Just like you said, the Dorman doesn't work, my gasket is cracked. Gonna change everything the right way this time. I can thank you enough, my '06 E is my third child, we've been through so much together. I hate to see it suffer needlessly, is the most reliable, loyal car I've ever had. Thanks again, man

[@classicautomotivenc]

Thanks for the kind words. You also need one of our water shields for the full preventative fix. Check us out at Classicautomotivenc on Facebook or Instagram. We have the shields available there. It is Element specific and Element themed. Hoping you get p2646/2647 out of your life for good.

[@alexs.5675]

I run 10-30 on my element for no reason and it runs just fine

[@classicautomotivenc]

Well you could supplement a half quart of ATF3 in there if it was dark or gummed up in the valve cover but I’d bet it’s honey gold…….

[@carnold.knowledge]

Newer iterations of the K24, like my 2011 CR-V call for 0W-20. Also, I usually go Honda original parts, but when it comes to oil filters, Wix filters (especially XP) are not “Fake”, and usually outperform OE filters from Honda, Toyota, Subaru.

[@classicautomotivenc]

@@carnold.knowledge that’s great, I was referencing the 03-11 versions and specifically Elements. They are different because of transmission gearing. At 80 mph my 5 speed manual Element is near 4,000 rpms, whereas a CRV would be well below 3,000 rpms, probably closer to 2,000. Heat build up in the oil then becomes a concern.

[@bdmenne]

Sounds very preventative. Nice

[@bdmenne]

And THIS is why only change my own oil, along with doing my own basic to medium mechanical work.

[@classicautomotivenc]

Then you will likely like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6C8e6d4orxrZsUsi=W1jOUl9tSKFJG0vW

[@kriskafowlski4463]

Thanks for the video. Interesting about 0-20. A lot of dealers use 0-20 full synthetic on oil changes not 5-20

[@classicautomotivenc]

They do, and it is a big no no for the Element K24 engine. Some will say otherwise, but I do this all day everyday, and have been for nearly 25 years. My experience tells me that certain engine groups do not fair well with certain types of oil.

[@kriskafowlski4463]

@@classicautomotivenc Great thanks. Appreciate your Video. My Mom and my Grandson have Elements that I work on

[@kriskafowlski4463]

Meant to ask also. What about for the 1.7 and 1.8 Honda engines in the Civic’s? Should I run 5-30 instead of 5-20 also? Thanks

[@classicautomotivenc]

@@kriskafowlski4463 The D17 and R18 engines are fine on 5w20, but they can also run 5w30. One of the main reasons that the Element is different than its other K24 brethren is that it generally operates at a higher RPM than say the Accord or CRV because our transmissions have lower gearing for pulling. Thus, the oil gets a bit warmer and can cause gunk to build up if the oil isn't changed as frequently as it should be.

[@kriskafowlski4463]

@@classicautomotivenc ok great. Thanks. Appreciate it

[@CharmleysChopShop]

Once you get water in there, does the code ever clear up on its own? After the heavy rain yesterday here in florida, this code popped up. I'm wondering if it wiped the spool valve out completely, like you were saying. Howd you dry it with the heat gun? I though the heat from the manifold would dry it up after a day of driving.

[@classicautomotivenc]

If it's your first time of the code coming on after heavy rains, then you need to go for kind of the first line of defense. Unplug the spool valve electrical connections and blow them out with compressed air, the some contact cleaner, then dielectric grease in the connector itself. A bit of hondabond on the back of the connector where the wires go in. Then you need to seal the passenger washer nozzle with hondabond. Basically sealing it to the hood. The cowl seal may need replacing, but the end all is the new solution that we came up with in another video. The metal water deflection plate. We sell them if you're interested.

[@jeffwest5551]

I had this code on an accord once, and it was caused by a leaking power steering hose dripping over the oil pressure switch. I believe the fix was a combination of replacing the switch and cleaning up the connector real good. And of course replacing the leaking hose first 😉. Who makes your element headlights? They look good.

[@classicautomotivenc]

These headlights are from Amerilite.

[@jeffwest5551]

Ok thanks

[@naomipaine7101]

There's also a VTC Oil Control Valve in the end of the head. Held in by one bolt, very expensive o-ring if you mangle it and it leaks....but this valve can also can go bad OR the screens that are in it can get clogged with sludgy oil. In my case, I have done the 2 screens you show, plus have cleaned this one a few times. Initially it was very clogged. It is very easy to access

[@classicautomotivenc]

Generally speaking, the VTC being clogged, or leaking a lot throws a different code than P2646. It usually throws a P0010 and sometimes a few other codes. While it can contribute to a P2646, it is not usually the cause. But I agree, the screens in it clog and need to be cleaned as well. I’ve found that the ATF added to the oil does a decent job of cleaning these screens out.

[@jeffwest5551]

​@@classicautomotivenc yes I believe these are two separate systems, is that correct?

[@classicautomotivenc]

@@jeffwest5551 Yes and no. Both have functions in the variable valve timing function, but they are separate as they relate to the ECU and where they mount on the engine. .

[@jeffwest5551]

@@classicautomotivenc Yes. My understanding is that the VTC phases cam timing and Vtec only changes the valve lift at higher rpms, but I don't claim to know much.

[@classicautomotivenc]

@@jeffwest5551 yes, VTC in conjunction with the cam gear/cam phaser. And VTEC on these Element K24's isn't quite as aggressive as a K20 or some of the other K24's.

[@SaycoPworrell]

Great information and video bud. I remember you talked to me all about this at EOTD2024 w/ my daughter recording us. I do use Mobil 1 5W20 Truck/SUV oil and the associated Mobil 1 Filter M-110A oil and now considering to your recommended 10w30 w/ ATF Dexron III. Do you use this year round even in the winter?

[@classicautomotivenc]

I would use the Rotella year round and know several Element owners that do. I normally suggest switching to 5w30 first though

[@thomasjohnson1972]

Excellent video. Extreamly clear and informative. I had this problem before on the original motor of my 03 Element as the bottom end got old and lost oil pressure (300K miles). I did fix it for a while with 5w-30 oil (thicker oil increased pressure). I've since replaced the engine and it ran great for many more thousand miles. But now the 2646 has returned and it cuts out at 3000 RPM. The engine is clean but when I checked my screens I found metal shavings in the spool valve screen. In your opinion do I now have a head issue? Should I not waste time pursuing the 2646 fix but instead replace the head or motor?

[@classicautomotivenc]

I do not think you have a head issue unless the camshafts make excessive noise, or you hear bottom end noise. You could pull the valve cover and inspect the camshafts to insure there is no wear there. However, I think you will be fine. Just need to go through the process of changing the oil to 5w30, and then checking the plugs for water intrusion. Seal the washer nozzle to the hood, clean and/or replace the connector to the spool valve, and then get one of the custom covers we will be revealing this week to keep water from getting into the spool valve connectors again. I think you will be fine. Those screens are designed to keep that trash out of the Spool valve. Also, might try a Honda Genuine oil filter if you are not using one.