u/ArchaeologyandDinos — reddlx

Hi all, I have a gen CRV that is in my care that I suspect needs a new motor and new transmission. I'm interested in upgrading them for more power getting up hills and over sand. And for better reliability.

The thing has had oil changes recently.

The problem started with driving up a hill with high RPM (5k) when is suddenly went into limp mode with a P2646 code and soon after a whine that may be coming from the transmission. Also a recenlty replace CV axle spewed grease at some point and may or marly not be related to the current issues.

Cleaning the VTEC solenoid and screen and vvt solenoid did not resolve the issue though the code changed to P2647 and P2649. It seems I didn't put the VVT back in all the way but I fixed that. I cleaned the VTEC again and the code has returned to P2646. I had an oil flush and a I drained and filled the transmission fluid. After filling with new transmission fluid the whining sound was present but disappeared after cilycling through gears while at idle and it seemed to do better, at some gears the whine was gone. After clearing the code and driving it a bit the whine was still present and the code returned with a flickering check oil light. A shop tested the oil pressure and said there was no pressure and recommended replacing the motor.

When I first first cleaned the VTEC solenoid there were metal shaving on the screen.

There is a screen that is behind the power steering pump that I have been unable to access for lack of desire to undo the belt without a torque wrench. This may be clogged and what is causing the issues but I do not know.

If anyone has resolved these issues without replacing a bunch of expensive parts I'd like to know how.

Now for what my question: Assuming that it isn't just that screen is clogged and I need a new motor and that the transmission is shot, are there options to upgrade these rather than replacing with a rebuilt or low mileage part?

I sometimes have to go through mud, snow, sand and often go up hills on poorly serviced dirt roads. It would be noice to have more power and reliability in this thing.