Just had head gasket replaced, got kit from Roadrace motorsports, engine just overheated slightly and we caught failed gasket before any problem (self diagnosed by finding oil in coolant). Scangauge was critical in detecting overheating problem since it gave water temp in degrees.

Anyway, after getting car back, the car when starting cold (starts right up) idles with a very strange heavy vibration (like the harmonic balancer was off) but smooths out when warmed up.

I took the car on to the freeway for some hard shifts to redline, and the top end isn't at ALL like I remember my old MIVEC being. It is totally ragged after 5000 RPM. I'm thinking the oil pressure isn't triggering the other cam lobes, but not sure.

Not sure if the problems are related somehow. Other than slightly higher operating temp and not remembering to buy Iridium spark plugs (the shop just replaced with copper ones), I can't figure out what the problem is. I miss my old MIVEC.

Any ideas?

P.S. I have a 2005 Ralliart 5 spd with 114,000 miles

 

they may have timed it wrong.

 

+1...
i'd personally have the shop recheck their work...
if it doesn't feel right...if it seems wrong then ok-ish then wrong again, there's probably something wrong..

maybe they timed it wrong or set the balance shafts wrong...i know theres stories on here frequently about the front timing shaft being off...but i think it only gives you vibrations...

 

Thanks for the replies! Cranswick, your very helpful You Tube video which you posted Jan 28, 2015, 08:25 PM under Maintenance time, which I ran across serendipidously really hit home. I think you hit the nail on the head, but not by timing, but by balance shaft not being clocked at the 3 to 1 mark and me using Gates belts like an idiot. Thanks so much!