Symptoms Of A Bad Oil Control Valve And Replacement Cost (VVT Solenoid)

Do you suspect that your car has a bad oil control valve or VVT solenoid? What does a oil control valve replacement cost? Here's the ultimate guide.

Nowadays, engines are mechanically and technologically complex things.

While this can make the life of a conventional mechanic challenging, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. New technologies mean today’s engines are far superior to decades past in power output, reliability, carbon emissions, and fuel efficiency.

In this guide, I’ll examine variable valve timing (usually shortened to VVT) and the associated OCV (oil control valve) so you can get a clear understanding of the symptoms and replacement cost.

However, many other systems have contributed to this field, such as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and sophisticated fuel injection systems.

The oil regulation valve directly affects valve timing. In turn, this alters how the engine performs.

If you see or feel any symptoms of a bad oil control valve (also known as a VVT solenoid), you should take your car to a local mechanic to get a replacement cost quote. It may require some detailed diagnosis.

Let’s get moving!

Table of ContentsShow

Why Do Cars Need VVT (Variable Valve Timing)?

Before exploring variable valve timing and how the oil control valve regulates it, it’s crucial to grasphow an engine works. See the video above for a simple overview.

A fundamental engine contains four cylinders and is known as an “inline” or “straight” model. Specifically, this type is generally called an Inline-4 or I4.

Within each cylinder is a piston. In an Inline-4 engine, the pistons travel up and down (“reciprocally”) within the cylinders in pairs, although each is performing something unique.

The pistons go through four phases or strokes: intake, compression, power (or “combustion”), and exhaust. Informally, these are called suck, squeeze, bang, and expel.

How Do Internal Combustion Engine Strokes Work?

Internal Combustion Engine Strokes

During the intake stroke, a valve (again, using the simplest engine model available) opens to allow an air/fuel mixture into the cylinder. The piston is at or near the lowest point in its cycle, known as Bottom Dead Centre – BDC.

The valve then closes as the piston rises, compressing the mixture into a minuscule space between the piston head and the cylinder top. The spark plug then fires, igniting the combined air and fuel and forcefully driving the piston downwards.

Now that the piston is back at BDC, the burnt gases must go somewhere. The exhaust valve thus opens, expelling them as the piston climbs back up.

The pistons are attached to the crankshaft by conrods (short for “connecting rods”). These convert the reciprocating energy into rotational energy, which powers the wheels and drives pulleys for running the engine’s other mechanisms.

The camshaft pulley is one of the most essential things connected to the crankshaft. These are connected by a timing belt or chain, which you may have encountered before. The camshaft rotates, and its lobes press against the valves, opening and closing them.

What Is Variable Valve Timing (VVT)?

The valves must both open and close at the appropriate time to correspond with the sequence. For example, if the exhaust valve were to open during the compression stroke, the unburned air/fuel mixture would just disappear straight down the exhaust. There wouldn’t be anything for the spark plug to ignite, and thus the cylinder would misfire.

The tappets on the camshaft make this scenario extremely improbable. However, it’s always feasible for the cam or valves to break or come loose with time.

Variable Valve Timing means the subsequent can be adjusted:

  • Valve timing – precisely when the valves open
  • Valve duration – the time the valves stay open
  • Valve lift – how far the valves open

Each of these can optimize an individual stroke, if necessary, for power, fuel efficiency, or environmental emissions, depending on the road conditions.

There are numerous ways variable valve timing can be designed, constructed, and implemented. It comes in many different names. General Motors, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Toyota, and Suzuki (including their off-shoot companies) are some of the most notable players in using the specific term “VVT” in their models. Other instances include Honda’s “VTEC” and Peugeot, Citroen, and BMW’s “VTi.”

What Is An Oil Control Valve/VVT Solenoid?

An oil control valve, also known as an OCV or a VVT solenoid, is part of the variable valve timing system. It plugs into the car’s primary wiring harness and should be found somewhere in the upper section of the engine. It’s helpful to use the internet or a vehicle-specific guide to find it on your particular car.

The oil control valve is driven by oil pressure and regulates the VVT system. It either advances or retards (makes earlier or later, respectively) the camshaft timing. Advanced timing is superior at low revs, whereas retarded timing gives the engine more power at higher RPMs.

In the photos or videos of the OCV, you’ll notice that one side has three slits (known as ports), and the other has two. The oil pressure forces itself into the central port on the side with three, with the electronically controlled solenoid preventing it from going any further.

The solenoid then shifts position depending on signals from the ECU. By moving, it guides the flow of oil through any of the four other passages. The two remaining ports on the side with three are simply drains. The other two lead it to the VVT system.

The VVT oil control valve is typically designed to kick in when the engine is under a substantial load. That is, it has to work harder to accomplish its usual tasks. Examples of this could include hard acceleration, driving uphill, towing a trailer, or carrying significant extra weight.

Bad Oil Control Valve Symptoms

If the oil control valve stops working, your car won’t function efficiently. You’ll notice some, if not all, of the symptoms enumerated here.

The engine stops functioning correctly because the valves always open at the same point. They’re essentially optimized for a specific rev range due to the malfunctioning VVT solenoid and thus struggle the rest of the time.

Check Engine Light

Check Engine Light

When the oil control valve solenoid isn’t operating, the Check Engine light on the dashboard will turn on as the ECU notices it swiftly.

When you or a mechanic attaches an OBD II code reader, any of the following codes could appear:

  • P0010-P0015 (Bank 1 faults)
  • P0020-P0025 (Bank 2 faults)
  • P1381-P1388 (VVT solenoid and system faults)

These codes are stored and will require clearing once the problem has been identified and fixed.

Rough Idle And Inconsistent Revs

Car Revving On Its Own While Driving Or Stationary

A defective oil control valve causes a rough idle because the solenoid has failed. It thus either alters the valve timing too much when it shouldn’t or not at all when it should.

The OCV will be active during idle, optimizing the engine for elevated revs. Since you’re at the lowest possible revs, this is counterproductive and leads to the engine struggling or stalling.

Whatever the exact details, the camshaft timing won’t be ideal, creating a rough idle and/or inconsistent revving pattern.

Poor Performance

Poor Performance

Since the VVT system optimizes the camshaft timing, performance will decline. You’ll especially notice this under demanding situations like hard acceleration or uphill driving. The car might also struggle to maintain high speeds.

If the camshaft OCV ceases functioning, the engine simply can’t put out as much power as usual.

Low Fuel Economy

Crop man refueling car on filling station

One of the numerous advantages that VVT provides is the improved gas mileage. The engine can be constantly adjusted to ensure minimum fuel is used. Your tank, therefore, lasts longer.

When the VVT oil control valve stops functioning, the solenoid is likely stuck open. The valve timing thus can’t be altered to enhance your fuel economy.

If you drive a newer vehicle, it’ll most likely display your average MPG on the dashboard in front of you. If not, you might simply notice that you’re heading to the gas station more frequently than you used to. Both indicate poor fuel economy, and a defective OCV solenoid may well be the underlying issue.

Why Does An Oil Control Valve (OCV) Stop Working?

Oil Control Valve

More often than not, an OCV fails due to subpar quality or stale oil. The oil produces sludge, a thick, gummy substance that blocks up channels and impedes your engine. It could also develop an electrical fault.

If your oil control valve stops working, you can first try cleaning it. This may solve the issue. If not, you’ll need a replacement part.

The part itself doesn’t usually cost much more than $50 for typical American cars. Luxury brands could be more. Take your vehicle to a mechanic. You’ll probably pay an hour or two in labor rates, coming to somewhere between $100 and $150 (or thereabouts). Each shop charges its own rates, so don’t be reluctant to get a few diverse quotes.

The oil control valve/VVT solenoid is situated somewhere near the upper section of your engine block. Each manufacturer crafts their engines in distinct ways, thus the OCV might be located almost anywhere. Refer to a guide specific to your vehicle to locate it (or simply search online rapidly).

The ideal way to prevent your OCV from failing is to regularly change the oil and filter and use premium motor oils (fully synthetic).

Can You Drive With A Bad Oil Control Valve?

Driving car

Technically, yes, you can drive with a faulty oil control valve. However, it’ll do more and more damage to your engine. Eventually, you’ll end up with considerably more damage, potentially including:

  • Damage to camshafts
  • Damage to valves
  • Carbon buildup and resultant misfires
  • Damage resulting from low oil pressure, including rust, damaged pump, overheating, etc.
  • Damaged piston rings
  • And more.

In summary? Yes, you can drive with a defective oil control solenoid, but if you are, you should only be driving straight to the shop where you’ll get it repaired.

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Benjamin Kitchen

Ben is an IMI-qualified light vehicle technician from England with experience in a fast-fit garage. He aims to help drivers worldwide with common automotive problems. You’ll often find him working with his 1.2 Vauxhall Corsa. It may have a tiny engine, but in eight years it's never once let him down!