Thread: Leaky Solenoid?

Quick question guys, It looks like my solenoids are leaking towards the top not alot but they look wet. So is that bad,I know they shouldnt be leaking but how bad is it? Is it fixable.

Which one is leaking? Both? It is usually the one on the left (intake) that leaks first from my research. Pull the solenoid and clean up the oil and monitor any continued oil buildup. More than likely you willl have to replace the solenoid. You can get new solenoids from GregV @ G Spec Performance for about $100ish I think. You can also replace the whole vvl assembly with a new one including gaskets and all, but it is pricey. See below for info on where to get a used intake solenoid. There is a lot of info out there on this stuff if you search!

http://www.sr20-forum.com/vvl/17578-have-bad-vvl-solenoid-well-they-easy-find.html

vvl solenoid leaking at plug. - SR20 Forum

VVL solenoid leaking oil

*WATCH ME**WATCH ME**

EDIT: When I sais "VVL assembly" up above, I am referring to the VVL distribution block that houses the solenoids, along with the solenoids as well.

Hey thanks i cleaned it up but looks like it still wet, Oh yeah and its both intake and exhaust im gonna get a hold of a Qg18 one see how that does.Can i use the Qg18 for both intake and exhaust or is it only compatible with intake.

One of the island guys said they use the 1.8 ones for both as his was broken.

It as actually the solenoid on the right (exhaust) that the QG18 VTC solenoid replaces, as per Miko's instructions in the sticky thread I linked in my last post. Apparently I confuse my left and my right hands sometimes!!

To be honest I have never had to replace both of my solenoids with the same one so I amnot sure 100% if you can use two QG18 solenoids to replace both VVL solenoids. I know others have posted that they have used two intake solenoids to run their VVL as well as two exhaust solenoids as well. Some members have switched the solenoids and were still able to switch their VVL.

In the youtube video I linked, the guy had both VVL solenoids and they were exactly the same except for the plug on top. I have also seen someone else post that their stock/OEM VVL solenoids were different for intake and exhaust as far as size goes. Maybe Nissan switched the solenoids to make them the same for a particular model year? Not sure here.

If I had to guess, and I am guessing, I would think that based upon the above info you can probably use two VTC solenoids from a QG18 and you will be fine. You will need the plug/clip with pigtail from the QG18 engine harness and you will have to splice it into VVL harness for the intake (left) solenoid as you will then have two solenoids with the same plug.

Suggestion: Pull your solenoids and look at them; I see conflicting reports on whether or not they are the same. If they are the same size as indicated in the video, then you should be able to use two VTC solenoids for both VVL solenoids. Just remember to get the plug for the solenoid when you go to the junkyard.

Did I confuse you? Hope this helps!


Here is another link I found from the old forum:

I NEED A SET OF VVL SOLENOIDS!!! - SR20 Forum

I read it twice to make sure lol but I got it thanks