Hey wait a minute. Richard! You are my neighbor! I live in Kansas City lol.
VTC Actuator Talk
This thread is for any discussions pertaining to the VTC actuator. Any new threads created will be locked and forum members will be pointed to this thread. Thanks for your cooperation!
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Thank you for your post rls7201. I was wondering if it is necessary to remove the sprocket in order to change the spring. Your pictures show that it is not necessary. Good. I will be doing the replacemt spring soon and I will post a comment.
See post #8, Deano-444 listed an Amazon site for the springs You can thank him for the home work. .
0.028 GA x 7/32 inch x 1-3/8 inch
Amazon
Richard
Thanks for the pics Richard! One more question: what size bolts did you replace the old ones with? I want to buy them before I start the work.
6mm bolt x 1.25 pitch x 30mm long.
You can thank my digital vernier for that info. I took one of the OEM bolts to the hardware store and matched it.
Didn't really pay much attention to dimensions. Now we both know. GRIN.
I apologize for the Pitch mistake I made. All I had was a digital vernier.
Richard
Thanks again!
I changed the spring in my VTC sprocket a couple days ago. I used a stronger spring from Handyman kit SP-9722.
I cut off about two coils to make it the right length. It is stronger than the original but oil pressure can still release the pin. So far all is good. I do not expect to hear the noise again. Thanx to all who have contributed to this topic.
A couple additional notes............
No need to remove the entire sprocket or cam or timing chain. Just remove the five bolts on the VTC cover. The bolts require a five point torx bit. I purchased a selection for the job but the tool began to round off so I ended up using a small vise grip to break them loose. I replaced them with hex head bolts of the same length. Valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals can be re-used if you are careful and use a light coat of oil or grease on them. The only part I replaced was the VTC lock spring.
I cut off about two coils to make it the right length. It is stronger than the original but oil pressure can still release the pin. So far all is good. I do not expect to hear the noise again. Thanx to all who have contributed to this topic.
A couple additional notes............
No need to remove the entire sprocket or cam or timing chain. Just remove the five bolts on the VTC cover. The bolts require a five point torx bit. I purchased a selection for the job but the tool began to round off so I ended up using a small vise grip to break them loose. I replaced them with hex head bolts of the same length. Valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals can be re-used if you are careful and use a light coat of oil or grease on them. The only part I replaced was the VTC lock spring.
I cannot find a 6mm bolt with a 1.25 pitch. Everything in 6mm is 1.0. I am not going to start this repair without having the bolts on-hand in case a bolt head strips, etc. Where did you find the bolts? Are you positive on the pitch? Thanks.
I have a tap and die set. I will confirm the bolt size and post it here later today
Thank you so much!
Hi all, wanted to provide an update. I am now at 6 mo. with the new spring installed. Rattle only returned when we were due for an oil change. After the oil change I heard it maybe once or twice and then it subsided. Temps are dropping here up north so I will update again if anything changes with this.
Great info. Thanks for posting. I am thinking about doing this spring replacement on my 2012 this weekend. Looks pretty straightforward.
It probably doesn't matter for this application, but what grade are the new hex head bolt you put in? (I can't see the head markings in your photo). I was ordering the spring from amazon already, so figured I may as well get bolts (I like the hex heads vs torx).
M6 x 30mm Hex Head Screw Bolt, Fully Threaded, Alloy Steel Grade 12.9, Black Oxide Finish, Quantity 25: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
Amazon.com: M6 x 30mm Flanged Hex Head Bolts Flange Hexagon Screws, 304 Stainless Steel 18-8, Plain Finish, 25 PCS : Industrial & Scientific
I'm not sure what grade bolts I used. I went to the hardware store and the first thing I found that fit was stainless steel. So I grabbed them and run to the cash register.
Richard
https://spring-start.com/ I came across this website when searching for other stories of people just replacing the spring...
Ha, I've met the fellow that launched this site. He was doing quite a bit of research and had custom springs made. Nice guy. Wish him the best!
I've already had the actuator replaced by a shop, but will keep his kit in mind if the noise returns. It'd be nice to hear some feedback from someone who's actually used his kit.
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