VVC Unit, What is it and where is located?????

[Kelman70]

Right Folks I have been told that the Hydraulic VVC unit could be the cause of my recurring Camshaft Sensor fault. Does anyone know what it is and where it is located? Has anyone got any info on this as it looks like i will need to roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty.

Cheers

Kelman

 

[m0rk]

under the cam cover

 

[Kelman70]

Does the AMK style engines have this? Is it a hard job to change out this VVC unit?

 

[NickT]

From what I've read on here only the AUQ engines on the LC have VVT.

If you do a search for VVT instead of VVC you'll find quite a bit of info.

Ah feck, just spotted you've got an LCR, still the search should still be relevant.

 

[PhilW]

What camshaft fault are you getting?

 

[Kelman70]

This is the code i'm getting:-

16727 P0343 Camshaft Position Sensor (A) circuit bank 1: high

I have changed the sensor and still the same code comes up.

I have been told that the cam chain tensioner on the gearbox side of the engine under the rocker cover is a problem that sometimes affects the timing on the exhuast camshaft and can cause the camshaft sensor to pick up a dodgy reading. Apparently this is connected in with the VVC unit so the guy at the seat specialists said anyway.

 

[PhilW]

Have you had a cambelt change lately?

Camshaft position sensor is on the left hand side of the block, round cast item held in place with two bolts. 2 mins to take it off and check.

 

[Kelman70]

I've already replaced the camshaft sensor and it still registers the fault, thats the problem it seems to be a mechanical problem that is causing the fault as everything electrical seems to be ok. I ordered a seat workshop manual to have a look at what it invoves to get to the cam chain tensioner, i cant figure out if the cam chain tensioner is connected to the hydraulic unit that controls the variable timing or if it is seperate and i'm not even sure if this is the problem

i'm really stuck with this but our nearest seat dealer is 50 miles away and most of the time they never manage to fix things first time so i lose a days holidays and a days wages, and have to sit on my arse for hours in the service dept for nothing.

 

[PhilW]

Have you had a cambelt done lately?

Chain tensioner is easy to take out, check the cams are in first when you crank it to TDC by hand, it should line up with the marks on the chain tensioner side.

 

[Kelman70]

The cars only done 35k so as far as i'm aware it hasnt had a cambelt since new, definately not in the last 1 1/2 years anyway, do you reckon this is the problem? The fact its such low miles make me a bit dubious as to whether its likely to be something mechanical, i'm going to try the solenoid that controls the VVC first and maybe try the MAF aswell, although none of these are showing as fault codes. The main reason that i think it has something to do with the cam chain tension is that the car pops and backfires when attempting to start which would suggest a problem with timing.