V8 VVT Filter Location
 

Apologies if this is posted somewhere and I missed it, did a search and checked the FSM but couldn't find any info. In the V8 with VVT I can find the actual VVT filter available aftermarket as in the link below so it seems the engine does have one (or two I suspect), but haven't been able to find where the filter is located on this engine.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...6?term=926-126

It's under the valve covers as shown in the pic below:

Is this something that needs to get changed? I mean its a filter screen but does anyone actually change it? Does it get clogged?

With good oil change maintenance, you'll never have to touch it. Only engines with negligent oil changes build up sludge in such a way that it clogs the VVT filters.

I was researching this last year trying to determine where the VVT valve is located on the the V6. Is it at the same location as the V8? I had a CEL come on while I was on a trip last year. It eventually cleared before we got home. I had the code checked during the vehicle inspection. The shop determined the valve was sticking at some point. They thought that I possibly wasn't changing the oil, but I change it every 5000 with full synthetic. I was quoted $700 to replace the valve the code started reoccurring. Not sure if that was for one or two valves. I have not had a CEL for almost a year now.

Thats what I assumed, I dont think ive ever heard of anyone changing it.

They are located at the top of each cylinder head as shown in the diagram below. From my experience, the passenger side oil control valve can be removed and reinstalled just by removing the air intake tract and air filter housing from the throttle body. Not sure about the passenger side. Which error code was yours setting?

I can't remember what the code was. I will have to check my invoice to see what they documented. Thanks for the info. and diagram, very helpful.

The Code was a P0022 Camshaft Position A Tiiming Over Retarded. They also performed a camshaft timing control valve test. No faults were detected when they did this.

I believe this code results when the ECM opens the oil control valve to unlock the VVT actuator and advance the camshaft, but the timing does not advance to within specifications. The shop's report to you sounds reasonable.

What synthetic oil do you use, or were you using at the time the error occurred?

Mobile1 then and still using it with Toyota oil filters. Less than 70,000 miles on it when the code occurred.

Good oil and filter selection, and 5K mile oil changes are more than adequate.

edit: here's everything you need to know about P0022: https://www.customtacos.com/tech.old...ta/0050013.pdf

If the error happens again, I'd:

1.) Remove and inspect the oil control valve filter (get a new $2 crush washer from the dealer to avoid leaks). If nothing significant is in there...

2.) Remove and inspect the oil control valve (use compressed air to blow away any dirt/abrasives from the area before removal). If no visible indicators of failure, e.g. spool valve moves freely with 12VDC applied, and seats correctly without voltage)...

3.) Either replace the oil control valve, or open up the valve cover and replace the VVT actuator and sprocket assembly with a new Toyota part. Flip a coin if that helps make the decision. The OCV is the more complex part, and therefore more likely to fail, and it's much cheaper & easier to replace than the VVT actuator...so I'd replace the OCV before tearing in for the actuator.

Let us know if you encounter the error code again.

Thank You for all of the great information. I have a feeling the error code will eventually come back again. Plan on keeping it another ten years. If so, i will let you know.

H ggreyrunner,

Did this code ever come back for you? Was the issue the VVT solenoid/OCV?

Sorry for the delay, haven't been on here for a while. No, the code has not come back yet. I had a Check engine light and the garage pulled the code and told me that it was the VVT solenoid. The motor ran fine, so I would not have known other than the CEL. Still keeping my fingers crossed.