Got this one in for the usual head gasket failure. Can anyone shed some light on how to set up the VVC system. Are special tools needed? Thought about buying Haynes but they would probably regard it as beyond the scope of the DIYer.
Andrew
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Simplicate and add lightness!!
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So far as I remember it Andrew, I thought that this was bolt on unit on the side of the head. So what do you need to set up?
Regards Tony
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Its quite a complicated contrivance with the inlet cam being in two parts with a cam arrangement at each end to move the actual camshafts in and out to increase lift and duration. There is a long shaft running along the head parallel with the camshafts which synchronises each of the VVC units, this in turn being driven by a rack which is in the bolt on electro-hydraulic unit you describe. There are what appear to be setting slots at each end which seem to be straight forward but I need to know where the rack needs to be orientated at rest, fully in , out or mid position.
Andrew
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Simplicate and add lightness!!
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Hi,
I believe the VVC mechanism has four inlet cams! It is, as has been said, a very complex piece of equipment. It's a true VVC, unlike most of the other much hyped alternatives, but the price is complexity. The theory was developed by Associated Engineering in the mid seventies and a Fiat 124 travelled many testing miles with the VVT (as it was then called) on the exhaust cam. Now it is made by Airtex in Feltham for MGR (or was).
There's no Haynes manual, and the Rover engine manuals do not include the VVC mechanism. It is not considered a servicable unit by MGR. There are specialists who can attend to the ubit, Mike Satur in Sheffield and Dave Andrews (don't know where) are just two with good reputations. It's perhaps better to contact one of these or an MGF specialist (TechSpeed, Brown and Gammons, MGF Centre etc).
Rgds.
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Hi,
I did the usual job of answering a different question! Right, it sounds as if the cams and cam carrier have come off, as well as the VVC hydraulic unit. That's rather a lot of dismantling for a mere head gasket replacement. However, I've found this in the manuals which might help. (You really need the full engine manuals on CD. The MGF manual does not describe the VVC mechanism, I found this in the 400 engine manual).
'Position control shaft in camshaft carrier ensuring that shaft is fully seated in journals and centre of slot in shaft is aligned with cylinder head mating surface of carrier.
7. Position front and rear inlet camshafts and VVC assemblies in camshaft carrier at the same time engaging teeth of control shaft in VVC assemblies.
8. Check that bolt holes in VVC housings are aligned with bolt holes in camshaft carrier, that centre of slot in control shaft is still aligned with cylinder head mating surface of carrier and timing plates 18G 1770/1 - front and 18G 1770/2 - rear are correctly located in the control sleeves and control shaft is still seated in journals.
CAUTION: If bolt holes are not correctly aligned or slot in control shaft has moved, re-position VVC assemblies and shaft as necessary until alignment is correct.
9. Fit and finger tighten slave bolts - front and rear VVC assemblies to camshaft carrier.
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20. Fit rear timing belt backplate, fit and tighten bolts to:
M5 bolts - 6 Nm
M6 bolts - 10 Nm.
21. Ensure that hydraulic control piston is pushed fully to top of bore and that rack teeth will be aligned to control shaft when control unit is fitted.
22. Position hydraulic control unit and seal plate to camshaft carrier, engage teeth of rack with those of control shaft.
23. Fit and lightly tighten 3 bolts.
24. Check that timing slots in front and rear VVC control sleeves are visible through holes in camshaft carrier.
CAUTION: If timing slots are not visible, carry out following procedure.
25. Remove hydraulic control unit.
26. Using a screwdriver, rotate control shaft as far as possible in an anti-clockwise direction, viewed from front of camshaft carrier.
NOTE: Timing slots in both VVC control sleeves should now be visible.
27. Push hydraulic control unit piston to top of bore.
28. Fit hydraulic control unit, fit and lightly tighten 3 bolts.
29. Check that timing slots on both front and rear VVC control sleeves are visible. If slots are still not visible, repeat the foregoing procedure as necessary.'
There is far more than this in the manual which can't really be easily posted. I hope this helps.
Rgds.
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RB, Glad you found a disc with the procudure in, all my books drew a blank!
Regards Tony
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I have an oil leak from the hydraulic VVC unit which is on top of the MGF engine aside the camshafts. Is it just a straight forward "release 3 bolts,descard old seal, fit new seal, replace unit and bolt up 3 bolts." Or are there pitfalls and traps to fall in to? What are the consiquences if it all goes wrong?
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Maybe this video I did when I checked over mine (was limiting to 5500rpm) may help you or others.
youtu.be/UM_w9VWZxwM
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