Thread: Flutter sound around 4k and up, maybe VVL kicking in and out?

It never ceases to amaze me that the FSM EC chapter has as many/more docs dealing with emissions control than it does to actually run the motor.

Check ur oil pressure at idle, theres a little piece in the oil pump cover that sprays oil on the timing chain. That piece is easy to come off and cause a drop in oil pressure when it does, and this causes the vvl to flutter. This happen to me but i didnt figure it out in time and i spun a bearing if it came off u should be able to find it in the oil pan.

Thanks. I'll probably drop the pan when I change my short shifter out. I don't have an easy way to measure oil pressure right now.

The issue seems to bee all but gone after the timing advance and TPS adjustment. And now 1st gear is total worthless in the rain.

Fuel pressure is about 40 without vacuum, 3 psi low by de specs. Perhaps an issue?

I should clarify here. Even with the cam solenoids un powered, the sound occurs. If the pressure was dropping, I could see them kicking off and on but I don't think it would make them kick on. ???

Wish I wasn't so broke right now, I'd just replace the remaining solenoid and maybe try a new dizzy.

I've been noticing that if I take a hard right turn, straighten out as I go to WOT, there's no flutter until the next go.

Inside solenoid is clean and functioning. Noticed it's starting to weep oil out the plug. I also noticed that the solenoid GregV sent has a screen whereas the originals do not. Looks like Nissan addressed an issue with these solenoids. If they leak out the top, I'd imagine they leak into the activation passage and at higher RPM build up enough pressure to pop the cams but lack tolerance to hold pressure to keep them activated even when triggered.

We'll see soon.

Any oil pressure monitoring suggestions. Easy enough to install in a cold garage without removing the motor.

Replaced both solenoids and checked the filter in the solenoid block. Still have the same issue. I can feel the intake solenoid kick in and power drops a bit when set low around 3k. The exhaust cam kicks in on its own intermittently around 4k even without being powered. Then its doesn't kick in again until about 6k. Its obvious when it kicks in both in sound and power.

Oil pressure is my next guess but why would the exhaust VVL kick in on its own?

hook them both together

They are, and I have an LED in the cabin that only works when they are grounded by the MSD 8969. Intake kicks in when the LED lights but exhaust is erratic.