5W40

What does a VCT or VVT Solenoid Do?

VCT or Variable Cam Timing solenoid is a device used in modern engines to change camshaft position timing in relevance to engine speed and engine timing allowing the engine to produce more horsepower without adding excessive overlap to the camshaft design.

The way the VCT Solenoid works is as follows:

The VCT solenoid works with oil pressure, it receives a signal from the ECM when the camshaft needs to be rotated either in the advanced mode or retarded mode depending on engine load and speed. The VCT solenoid is able to accomplish that by altering the oil flow in the passages that lead to the cam phase(s), there are passages to advance the valve timing (open the valves earlier), and passages that direct the oil to retard the valve timing (open them later)

What is the Purpose of the VVT System?

The purpose of the VCT or Variable Cam Timing system is to allow the engine to move larger volumes of air in and out of the cylinders to generate maximum horsepower.

Vehicles with DOHC (Dual Overhead Cam) engines usually have two VCT solenoids mounted in each cylinder head, one for each camshaft, allowing the Engine Control Computer to activate each VCT timing mechanism in each Camshaft separately.

NOTE: The Cam phase is mounted on the front of the camshaft(s) it is driven by the engine’s timing chain or timing belt depending on the engine’s design.

Oil Control Valve=OCV or VVT Solenoid

2006 RX330 AWD 195K km w/ routine maintnance, Never see CEL!

This is a quite straight forward job, so just pick some pictures for job clarity.

Both Bank1 and Bank2 OCV are underneath these tubes


A closer look


Bank 2 OCV


Bank 1 OCV


Need remove air filter box






Red one is Solenoid bracket bolt, yellow one is the strainer bolt












The solenoid looks pretty good shape, not debris at all!







Clean both with gasoline




Bank 1 OCV and strainer bolt, I didn't remove them as the first one looks pretty good shape.

Arthurirw

Any reccomendations on what to use to clean, and great info, thank you.

5W40

I wash them in gasoline.

mdbrown

For me it's brake cleaner.

rx330March

great pictures, but can you clarify, bank 1 is the one in back and bank 2 in front? I got a little confused with the pictures.

5W40

You are right, Bank 2 in front.

Margate330

+1 Awesome job from OP.
1st Class walkthru with pics, very much enjoyed.

PlatinumV8

Nicely done, have the replacement OCVs for my RX and now I know how to do the job from your pics! Thanks!