Variable valve timing solenoid

[cdthomer]

Howdy folks! I'm fairly certain I have an issue with my VVT solenoid. I was tightening the serpentine belt and must have hit it by accident because immediately after starting the car the CEL was on and the code it gave was P0010. This seems to be a common problem from what I've been reading.

Rock Auto has half a dozen or so by different manufacturers and I'm just wondering if anybody has any input on which one would be the best option? They've got:


Beck/Arnley
Standard Motor Products
Spectra Premium
Cardone
Gates
WVE/Airtex/Wells

They're all within $10 of each other but the only manufacturers I have experience with are Cardone and Gates, but with other kinds of products (belts, CV axles etc.).

So does anybody have input as to which manufacturer might be better/more reliable?

[WeeYari]

What you broke is the OCV (Oil Control Valve). I can't begin to tell you how many people have posted up here having broke it while prying on the alternator.

As far as replacement brands, can't comment. It is not an overly sophisticated part so I'd imagine almost anything on eBay, or whomever can get you the part fastest, would suffice.

Sent from my EML-L09 using Tapatalk

[cdthomer]

What you broke is the OCV (Oil Control Valve). I can't begin to tell you how many people have posted up here having broke it while prying on the alternator.

As far as replacement brands, can't comment. It is not an overly sophisticated part so I'd imagine almost anything on eBay, or whomever can get you the part fastest, would suffice.

Sent from my EML-L09 using Tapatalk

OCV is the same thing as the VVT solenoid I thought? Hmmm.... could you shed some more light for me please?

[tmontague]

Afaik they are synonymous. Keep in mind you may have issues getting the old one out of the head. If that happens the worst case scenario is you can take off the valve cover and use a punch to push it out from the inside. Take more time but saves you from a trip to the mechanic.

When pulling it out from the outside it often comes apart and then you dont really have much the pull on anymore, just an fyi

[cdthomer]

Afaik they are synonymous. Keep in mind you may have issues getting the old one out of the head. If that happens the worst case scenario is you can take off the valve cover and use a punch to push it out from the inside. Take more time but saves you from a trip to the mechanic.

When pulling it out from the outside it often comes apart and then you dont really have much the pull on anymore, just an fyi

Thanks for the info and the tip, hopefully that's not the case but now if it happens at least I won't have an "oh crap" moment haha.

[SirDigby]

What you broke is the OCV (Oil Control Valve). I can't begin to tell you how many people have posted up here having broke it while prying on the alternator.

Sent from my EML-L09 using Tapatalk

huh. i'll have to look for this. i wonder how people are leveraging the belt. i am so trained to pry from the block i don't even know what is in the way.HA!

[zoidberg444]

OCV is the same thing as the VVT solenoid I thought? Hmmm.... could you shed some more light for me please?

Toyota call it the Oil Control Valve. Same thing. I'd probably get the OEM part from the dealer if mine broke or maybe get one from the scrapyard.

[Spellino]

Howdy folks! I'm fairly certain I have an issue with my VVT solenoid. I was tightening the serpentine belt and must have hit it by accident because immediately after starting the car the CEL was on and the code it gave was P0010. This seems to be a common problem from what I've been reading.

Rock Auto has half a dozen or so by different manufacturers and I'm just wondering if anybody has any input on which one would be the best option? They've got:


Beck/Arnley
Standard Motor Products
Spectra Premium
Cardone
Gates
WVE/Airtex/Wells

They're all within $10 of each other but the only manufacturers I have experience with are Cardone and Gates, but with other kinds of products (belts, CV axles etc.).

So does anybody have input as to which manufacturer might be better/more reliable?


I replaced mine since in July last year. Not had a problem with it since. Got it from Aliexpress.

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/hT1Im64

[dogsridewith]

Toyota manual says prybar-be-careful for belt adjust. I say 13 (14?) inch Chanelock pliers...1 jaw on alternator top bracket, other jaw on alternator's upper bolt boss.