Cam Position Sensor vs. CVVT solenoid valve ?

Mr. Detail · Post by **Mr. Detail** » 19 Jul 2018, 06:15

Gentlemen,
I am a bit confused as to if the two part descriptions in my subject title are one and the same or different parts.
Can anyone clarify this for me?

Thx much!

Post by **abscate** » 19 Jul 2018, 06:41

Diffferent parts

CVVT is Continously Variable Valve Timing

The solenoid is the thing that looks like a 1960 KGB closet bug found prevalently in America - round silver body with squared off box end with four M6 screws. It uses oil pressure from the engine to adjust the position of the cam hub, relative to the camshaft - that is the CV part

The cam sensor detects camshaft rotation and sits on the rear (driver side car) on one of your two camshafts - its on the exhaust on my CVVT exhaust car and on the intake of my CVVT P2 NA car. It looks like a hockey puck a bit.

Speculation - if you have a single CVVT cam, the cam sensor always goes on that cam, I believe.

If you have both cams CVVT you have two CVVT solenoids and I don't know where the cam sensor goes.

Mr. Detail · Post by **Mr. Detail** » 19 Jul 2018, 07:40

Thanks abscate for your response.
I had an Indy mechanic this past Monday use his $10k code reader to clear away what he said was a "640A" code.
I did a net search on that and some Volvo owners seem to think if you replace the "Camshaft Solenoid Valve" it will eliminate this code from returning. Apparently this gets clogged over time and if you use the wrong weight oil. I believe that Volvo calls for a straight 5W-30 viscosity and NOT synthetic.

Post by **abscate** » 19 Jul 2018, 08:08

There are many reasons for most codes, the codes don’t tell you what part to replace. It’s a little better than throwing parts, but only a bit. In this case it could be a wiring fault to the solenoid, timing belt could have jumped a tooth, or even a glitch from dirty oil that could c;ear and not come back.

I use synthetic in all my cars and 7500 mile/time oil change intervals, two turbos , three non turbos, and two air cooled and boats

I use old oil in the chainsaw, to lube the blade

Post by **erikv11** » 19 Jul 2018, 17:16

And he chain saws over a large tub, that collects the oil overspray, which he filters through old coffee filters, and puts back into the cars. You can even re-use the coffee filters after this.

Post by **oragex** » 19 Jul 2018, 17:20

This is how to check this solenoid www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3w3kLF0-I4

Post by **abscate** » 19 Jul 2018, 19:14

erikv11 wrote: ↑19 Jul 2018, 17:16 And he chain saws over a large tub, that collects the oil overspray, which he filters through old coffee filters, and puts back into the cars. You can even re-use the coffee filters after this.

Bathing in the tub full of oil makes your skin soft, too.