RSX Type-S Engine Overrev

Friday, February 15. 2002
RSX Type-S Engine Overrev
Update, Don't let this happen to you!
There have been cases of mis-shifts causing the engine to over-rev. These are caused by unfamiliarity with the short throws and narrow shift gates (the distance between 2nd, 4th and 6th gears for example). Drivers are cautioned to get accustomed to the feel of the gearbox before attempting to shift gears quickly. Such errors are not covered by the factory warranty and any assistance from Acura is handled on a case-by-case basis.

What about the rev-limiter? Why doesn't it protect the engine? A rev limiter won't help the mis-shift problem. The rev limiter is designed to keep you from over revving the engine with the throttle. As you accelerate and the RPM's approach redline (max engine speed), the electronic rev limiter will cut fuel and/or retard the ignition spark to keep the engine from continuing to accelerate.

When a mis-shift happens, you could theoretically completely stop fuel flow and turn off the spark and the engine would still be forced to spin to engine damaging RPM's. Think about this. If you are at redline in 2nd and you shift to 3rd, the engine speed drops from 8000 RPM to about 5500. A difference of 2500 RPM. Now imagine being in 3rd gear at redline and going back to second. Since you were already at 8,000, 2nd gear would have to spin the motor an additional 2500 rpm to catch up, and it will because the engine is now forced to do it because it's now connected to the wheels (you engaged the clutch, remember?) The result is roughly 10,500 to 11,000 rpm. The valve springs cannot close the valves fast enough and wham, the piston(s) hits the valves! Let's be careful out there!