so after you have the vvti gear on the cams ( im assuming you dont tighten that bolt all the way to the cams?) the air unlocks the vvti gear then reinstall it with the cams still on and bolt it down then you take that bolt (that tightens the vvti gear to the cams) and move it clockwise to lock it?
VVT sprocket unlocking procedure with pics.
5
So you wanna change your cams and play with the big boys or have some time to waste and feel some sudden love towards your stock cams? :hit:
Every time you remove the VVT sprocket, you must go through this procedure. If you don't do it this way, you run the chance of wedging the pin tight....thus making the VVT inoperable. No vvt = no optimum power at all RPMs!
There's a TSB about this...I have tried it, and it is hard to do, especially on a new sprocket + with their way, you have no leverage(the cam) to turn it while it gets unlocked by the air pressure.
I won't go through the valve cover removal, and all the rest as this is obvious....and if it's not to you, stick to the appearance sections and have the job done by someone with a bit more experience.
You have replaced the cam and are ready to bolt up the VVT sprocket.
This is what it looks like:
![]()
That's the hole you're going to blow some air into(there's another one on the other side, don't worry about it. We're going to use the other one).
Reinstall and tighten the bolt that holds the VVT sprocket.... by hand.
Get some electrical tape and start taping ....crisscrossing it until you have covered all the holes except the one you're going to blow some air through.
You might want to clean the part with a bit of solvent beforehand so the tape sticks and makes a better seal.
![]()
If you're reusing your old VVT wear some glasses and take a rag to cover the sprocket....there's still plenty of oil in there....ask me how I know.
:
Now you're ready to unlock it:
![]()
It helps to have an extra pair of hands for this part, but it's doable by yourself. Now start blowing some air (about 20 PSI worth of it)and turn COUNTERCLOCKWISE. Sometimes it takes a couple of shots... work at it back and forth until you feel it unlocking and moving.
To give you an idea of how much movement was talking about, I marked it with some tape:
![]()
![]()
Keep it fully turned(unlocked) and tighten the bolt that holds the VVT sprocket to the cam to 40 ft-lbs.
Then you can lock it back in place(clockwise) before reinstalling it on the head.
Voila.....
PS: If you spot any mistakes, feel free to point them out.
Every time you remove the VVT sprocket, you must go through this procedure. If you don't do it this way, you run the chance of wedging the pin tight....thus making the VVT inoperable. No vvt = no optimum power at all RPMs!
There's a TSB about this...I have tried it, and it is hard to do, especially on a new sprocket + with their way, you have no leverage(the cam) to turn it while it gets unlocked by the air pressure.
I won't go through the valve cover removal, and all the rest as this is obvious....and if it's not to you, stick to the appearance sections and have the job done by someone with a bit more experience.
You have replaced the cam and are ready to bolt up the VVT sprocket.
This is what it looks like:
That's the hole you're going to blow some air into(there's another one on the other side, don't worry about it. We're going to use the other one).
Reinstall and tighten the bolt that holds the VVT sprocket.... by hand.
Get some electrical tape and start taping ....crisscrossing it until you have covered all the holes except the one you're going to blow some air through.
You might want to clean the part with a bit of solvent beforehand so the tape sticks and makes a better seal.
If you're reusing your old VVT wear some glasses and take a rag to cover the sprocket....there's still plenty of oil in there....ask me how I know.
:Now you're ready to unlock it:
It helps to have an extra pair of hands for this part, but it's doable by yourself. Now start blowing some air (about 20 PSI worth of it)and turn COUNTERCLOCKWISE. Sometimes it takes a couple of shots... work at it back and forth until you feel it unlocking and moving.
To give you an idea of how much movement was talking about, I marked it with some tape:
Keep it fully turned(unlocked) and tighten the bolt that holds the VVT sprocket to the cam to 40 ft-lbs.
Then you can lock it back in place(clockwise) before reinstalling it on the head.
Voila.....
PS: If you spot any mistakes, feel free to point them out.
1 - 20 of 91 Posts
o yeah and thanks Many for the write up
Apologies if I missed it; In the removal step, am I correct in assuming I need to unlock the VVT before loosening the bolt on the camshaft? I'm pretty sure I understand the rest of it, see what happens when I try it out :
Thanks Many.
:Thanks Many.
and i for ppl out there that want to check if you even need to do this process do what boosted stated. Take two wires one from the neg of the battery and one from the pos on the battery. Un clip the vvti accuator, run the two wires to the two prongs while the car is idleing. and if it stalles the gear is binded up(need to do this process) and if it changes over(doing this causes the vvti to retard timing) and should still run. If it still runs after that process no need to unlock it and lock it back up.
1 - 20 of 91 Posts
