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Thread: VE oil pickup question. VVL having trouble staying activated.

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Posts: 1-10 of 19
2012-10-08 23:25:59
#1
VE oil pickup question. VVL having trouble staying activated.
My VVL seems to have trouble engaging, except coming out of a hard right turn. I can't add an oil pressure gauge just yet. When I received the motor the oil pan had a slight indentation, the oil pickup looks OK but this VE pickup has a metal shroud around the screen.

Anyone know if the shroud is needed, I figure Nissan wouldn't have wasted profit on metal unless there was a reason.
2012-10-08 23:33:04
#2
Yes its to keep larger debris from getting in there. If the screen is clogged just clean it out with parts cleaner or brake cleaner.

If your vvl was having trouble engaging outside of a hard right hand turn you were probably low on oil. lol. Make sure your pan is not dented at all before you put it back up.
2012-10-08 23:35:59
#3
And I wouldnt say they wouldnt have wasted money on metal if it wasnt absolutely necessary. I mean look at the 30,000 brackets and bolts they use to just hold up the intake manifolds on their motors. Its rediculous. Most of those brackets are useless.
2012-10-08 23:36:41
#4
Originally Posted by ashtonsser
Yes its to keep larger debris from getting in there. If the screen is clogged just clean it out with parts cleaner or brake cleaner.

If your vvl was having trouble engaging outside of a hard right hand turn you were probably low on oil. lol. Make sure your pan is not dented at all before you put it back up.


Cleaned it, there was a lot of junk, but it made no difference.

The VVL usually only works right, coming out of a hard right corner. When all the oil moves towards the center of the motor and right to the pickup. Sometimes it kicks in in a straight away, you can tell right away, around 2k if it's going to kick in. It sounds smoother and stronger. I'm worried it's getting oil starved. Maybe oil pump. Just weird how it kicks in coming out of a right hand turn. Not every single time, but most times.

Oil levels OK.
Last edited by phixer on 2012-10-08 at 23-37-34.
2012-10-08 23:38:06
#5
Undented my pan too. Guess I'll have to get an oil pressure gauge in there.
Last edited by phixer on 2012-10-08 at 23-38-55.
2012-10-08 23:49:16
#6
Yeah id go out on a limb and say you have oil pressure problems or debris/obstruction maybe in the vvl solenoid housing or solenoids. Might take the solenoid housing off, clean it out, take the solenoids out of the housing and clean them out as well. Make sure the solenoids are activating correctly.
2012-10-08 23:50:28
#7
Check solenoids for correct operation and try installing an oil pressure gauge?
2012-10-09 00:00:44
#8
Originally Posted by ashtonsser
Yeah id go out on a limb and say you have oil pressure problems or debris/obstruction maybe in the vvl solenoid housing or solenoids. Might take the solenoid housing off, clean it out, take the solenoids out of the housing and clean them out as well. Make sure the solenoids are activating correctly.


Took the housing off, looked fine. New solenoids and they work fine. The idea that it will work lead me to believe that there's no obstructions. And the motor is super clean.

It's weird that it works coming out of the corner. I could see if the pickup was bent up, maybe it's not dipping in enough and when the oil sloshes over to the pickup it get a good drink.
2012-10-09 00:10:22
#9
I would say start with the oil pressure gauge. Did the pickup tube look cracked anywhere. Ive heard of them cracking near the weld joints where it bolts to the pump and where the bottom piece is welded on. It actually looks more like its brazed than welded. Maybe pressure test the tube.

I assume you put a full 4 quarts of oil in during the change?
2012-10-09 00:13:41
#10
Originally Posted by ashtonsser
I would say start with the oil pressure gauge. Did the pickup tube look cracked anywhere. Ive heard of them cracking near the weld joints where it bolts to the pump and where the bottom piece is welded on. It actually looks more like its brazed than welded. Maybe pressure test the tube.

I assume you put a full 4 quarts of oil in during the change?


The dipstick fill line is just over at 3 5/8. I've always put that much in and the VVL worked great for 3 years prior.

I didn't notice any cracks on the pickup but didn't look specifically. Just got pooped out the other end of a foreclosure so funds are a little tight for buying an oil gauge at the moment. Wish I could trade my spare dizzy for one.
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