07 S60 2.5t code P0027 [ Bad quality aftermarket vvvt solenoid]

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 29 Mar 2019, 23:42

Idamon wrote: 29 Mar 2019, 17:49 Installed a working used solenoid but the code persists.

How did you determine that the used one is working correctly?

Idamon wrote: 29 Mar 2019, 17:49 I talked to their mechanic who suggested loosening the timing belt and moving the exhaust cam one tooth either way to see if that solves the issue. Does anyone agree with that approach? Thanks!

Hell no! First off, that would be treating the symptoms not fixing the cause. Second off, changing the position of the cam will not change its response time. If that guy was their mechanic and not one of the grease monkeys, it is no wonder that shop is out of business.

Post by **abscate** » 30 Mar 2019, 04:38

You check the timing belt by lining up the marks on all three reference points. They should be within half a tooth of the marks.

Idamon · Post by **Idamon** » 06 Apr 2019, 20:40

How did you determine that the used one is working correctly?

I tested it with a 12v battery before and after installation.

Hell no! First off, that would be treating the symptoms not fixing the cause. Second off, changing the position of the cam will not change its response time...

Ok, I agree. While I had the cams locked with the cam locking tool and the TB off, I tried rotating the cam gears. On this car they are not spring loaded. They rotate about 10 degrees which I understand is correct. However while the intake gear moved smoothly and easily, the exhaust gear felt a bit tight or “gritty” and didn't move so easily. Can the hub be rebuilt or will I have to replace it?

Post by **abscate** » 07 Apr 2019, 05:32

I have never seen a thread on rebuilding, but I have a junkyard one on ,y car with 270k miles on it!

Idamon · Post by **Idamon** » 07 Apr 2019, 10:40

Haha...there's a “Volvo only” junkyard 200km from me...NYC's about 4800 km...

Idamon · Post by **Idamon** » 07 Apr 2019, 18:17

First, A BIG THANK YOU is due to all the forum users that contribute to this knowledge base. I have learned tons of stuff enabling me to do almost all the work on my two cars myself, saving probably thousands.
Back to my problem: I just finished dismantling things yet again to try and determine whats going on. I set the timing marks as precisely as possible then installed the cam locking tool and removed the timing belt. The exhaust vvt hub/gear definitely does not rotate as smoothly as the intake one does. I'm thinking maybe its worn or gunked up inside to the point where it won't respond quickly or adequately enough to the variation in oil pressure delivered by the vvt solenoid, hence the P0027 code. At first I thought the problem was with the solenoid itself but that seems to be working ok.
Questions:
If I remove the exhaust hub can it be flushed out or somehow cleaned inside or should I just replace the thing?
Are these hubs something that typically needs replacing periodically?
Does a new one come with an oil seal already installed?
Thanks again!

Idamon · Post by **Idamon** » 18 Apr 2019, 13:38

Well, no joy yet on solving this problem. My next plan is to dump some Seafoam in and then change the oil & filter. The oil passages to the solenoid my be gummed up. Also I discovered my code reader (don't know a lot about how they work) has a “Freeze Frame” function which takes a snapshot of engine parameters at the moment the fault code occurs. The “SparkAdv” parameter reads +36 degrees, which I assume is telling me the time was advanced 36 degrees?! How can that be possible?

Post by **abscate** » 19 Apr 2019, 05:00

Spark advance on Volvos can be a set much as 40 degrees under load, that’s normal

You can’t bench test either the CVVT hub or solenoid effectively. The solenoid has a nominal resistance but they get tired .org sticky which won’t show in resistance or applying voltage. VIDA has a parameter check where you can see cam advance and see if it’s in spec, without that you have To play “ parts darts”

About $400 for new, maybe $150 for used parts

VIDA does pay for itself on one job.

Idamon · Post by **Idamon** » 19 Apr 2019, 12:11

Thank you for that, Abscate. Looks like a trip to the Volvo dealer next week. Its a 3 hour drive from me but so be it. I've spent enough time on this already! Will post the results then. Just want this fixed so I can sell both vehicles and buy a used V70.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 19 Apr 2019, 12:50

Idamon wrote: 06 Apr 2019, 20:40 I tested it with a 12v battery before and after installation.

1. It is a electrical mechanical and hydraulic device. Just testing the solenoid is inconclusive.
2. P0027 is a performance issue not a function problem.