WHat's this?

[Dodgeyaussie]

2000 Q45. I thought this was an Oil Pressure switch, but every replacement part i look up for "oil pressure switch" looks completely different...

[Ken@PTUNING]

That's your NVCT solenoid.

[my12by60]

The same part on my recently purchased 2000 was covered with even more oil than as is shown in your picture. I cleaned it up real good and am keeping an eye on it in an attempt to figure out where the oil is coming from. Do you think the VCT itself is leaking or does oil from a valve cover gasket leak somehow make its way up the solenoid? That defies gravity, but maybe some sort of electrical reaction draws the oil up the solenoid.

[Dodgeyaussie]

Oil bubbles out of this one when it's running... Anyone have a part number?

[Ken@PTUNING]

The same part on my recently purchased 2000 was covered with even more oil than as is shown in your picture. I cleaned it up real good and am keeping an eye on it in an attempt to figure out where the oil is coming from. Do you think the VCT itself is leaking or does oil from a valve cover gasket leak somehow make its way up the solenoid? That defies gravity, but maybe some sort of electrical reaction draws the oil up the solenoid.

That solenoid is designed to send pressurized oil to the intake camshaft sprocket to actuate it. Pressure can be anywhere from 10-80psi.

[my12by60]

I was searching for that part myself just to check the price and availability in case I confirmed that mine was a leak source. I was unable to locate the part on-line. Let us know if you come up with anything.

When you say "bubbles out", do mean you can actually watch the oil come out of the part with the engine idling? Can you tell what section of the part the oil is coming from? From reading around, I believe the part threads into the engine block and there is an o-ring at the top of the threads. If you are leaking from the threaded socket into the engine block, then maybe you can get sealed up with a new o-ring. Or are you leaking from higher up on the VTC?

[3Q Jay]

I was searching for that part myself just to check the price and availability in case I confirmed that mine was a leak source. I was unable to locate the part on-line. Let us know if you come up with anything.

When you say "bubbles out", do mean you can actually watch the oil come out of the part with the engine idling? Can you tell what section of the part the oil is coming from? From reading around, I believe the part threads into the engine block and there is an o-ring at the top of the threads. If you are leaking from the threaded socket into the engine block, then maybe you can get sealed up with a new o-ring. Or are you leaking from higher up on the VTC?

full disclosure: i've not messed with those solenoids (but changed both sides vcg twice) as mine don't leak. but, if there were leakage at the solenoid to head interface i'd fully expect it to resolve with a fresh o-ring or crush washer, or worst case thread sealant (the kind with an aerobic cure).

[my12by60]

After I cleaned up my solenoid, I was studying it in an attempt to figure out how to disconnect the wire harness so that I could unthread the solenoid and examine the o-ring and threads for signs of oil all the way up the threads. I could not figure out how the harness disconnected so I gave up and decided to just watch the solenoid for signs of leakage vs. potentially breaking something that might not be the source of problem to begin with.

3Q - When you mention a thread sealant with an aerobic cure, what brand of product would you recommend if I end up needing to go that route?

[Dodgeyaussie]

When you say "bubbles out", do mean you can actually watch the oil come out of the part with the engine idling? Can you tell what section of the part the oil is coming from?

Bubbles right out the top. Probably has something to do with the P1320 and misfire code...

[Dodgeyaussie]

This looks like the part..

[3Q Jay]

After I cleaned up my solenoid, I was studying it in an attempt to figure out how to disconnect the wire harness so that I could unthread the solenoid and examine the o-ring and threads for signs of oil all the way up the threads. I could not figure out how the harness disconnected so I gave up and decided to just watch the solenoid for signs of leakage vs. potentially breaking something that might not be the source of problem to begin with.

3Q - When you mention a thread sealant with an aerobic cure, what brand of product would you recommend if I end up needing to go that route?

those connectors are my least favorite nissan versions. there is a 3 sided "rectangle" spring clip near the bottom that needs to be release.
I like the permatex hi temp thread seal. takes 48 hours to fully cure though. Picture shows an oring groove so i'd certainly try that first. It sounds like dodgeyaussie has an actual leaking solenoid body to dielectric housing leak, which i hadn't considered, but i suppose is possible. certainly the actual oil pressure switch on the lower block is prone to that exact failure mechanism (leak between the metal body and the dielectric.)

[my12by60]

I just got my car back (upholstery work on two front seats) and took off the engine guard. I definitely have fresh oil leaking from the top of the solenoid. I would not say it is bubbling out, but the part is for sure leaking from the top and not at the threading. I found a new one and it is being shipped in. So now I do need to confirm how to release the wire harness.

3Q,

Looking at the new part and comparing to the installed part, it looks like the harness disconnects directly above the metal portion of the part. Initially, I was trying to separate the upper orange portion of the harness from the lower black portion of the harness. I now see a raised rectangle shape on the black section of the harness that faces the radiator. Is that the release point? Do I need to squeeze in on the rectangle while lifting up or do I need to pry the rectangle out in while lifting up? Sorry to be so anal, but I hate to break things from ignorance while forcing something the wrong direction.

Dodgey,

Have you installed your replacement part yet? Any issues getting the old out and the new in? How about that grey harness to the left (in your pic) of the solenoid? That looks like it is a pinch and pull similar to the fog light harness that I disconnected when installing a replacement fog light. Did you disconnect that one to create working room?

[Ken@PTUNING]

Here's a picture of the connector pigtail:


See the metal clip? You need to remove that and the connector will just slide right off (you shouldn't have to force it). You'll probably need to clean off the connector to see if since it looks like yours is covered in grim. Give it a good spray with brake parts cleaner. Be careful with the clip. The plastic is brittle and very easy to break. To reinstall, simply slide the clip over the connector and then connect it to the solenoid. It should slide and click into place.

[my12by60]

That is really helpful. I would never have figured that out. So the metal clip serves as a retaining clip? Do I just stick a small screwdriver under the metal clip and pry it away from the black plastic? Does the metal clip need to be completely off in order to slide the black plastic portion up and off the solenoid?

[Ken@PTUNING]

Yup, flathead screwdriver will work. I suppose you don't have to take it all the way off but it's easier. Just pry the left and right sides outward and you should be able to remove it. It's much easier to reinstall the connector. Just put the clip back on first, THEN connect it to the solenoid. It will snap right in.

[Dodgeyaussie]

Dodgey,

Have you installed your replacement part yet? Any issues getting the old out and the new in? How about that grey harness to the left (in your pic) of the solenoid? That looks like it is a pinch and pull similar to the fog light harness that I disconnected when installing a replacement fog light. Did you disconnect that one to create working room?

Haven't attempted the job yet. Source the part and will probably get to it this weekend.

[my12by60]

Ok, I got it now. I took a close look at mine and now I see what I need to do. That retaining clip has two tabs that grab around the back side of the harness. Just waiting for the part to get in now. I am hoping that what I thought was either a timing cover gasket leak or a valve cover gasket leak was really just this part leaking oil down into the engine valley (which ran down the front and sides of the engine). Thanks to all for the help.

[skyvette427]

When you say "bubbles out", do mean you can actually watch the oil come out of the part with the engine idling? Can you tell what section of the part the oil is coming from?

Bubbles right out the top. Probably has something to do with the P1320 and misfire code...

So you're saying this could be the reason for P1320?


Also,

How much was the part and do you guys have a link to purchase?

Thanks!

[my12by60]

I grabbed this one that was listed on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-To-2001-In ... v-&vxp=mtr

I offered $40 and the seller accepted.

Here is another link from a parts site with a price of $94.

https://www.parts.com/index.cfm?fuseact ... NOID-VALVE

Not sure what else is out there. You might be able to find a better price than $94 somewhere else online. I could not find the part on the Infiniti Parts USA website, but maybe I was searching incorrectly.

[Q451990]

I have an old dental pick that works great on those connectors. A very small screwdriver should also work too though. I inherited the pick... I have no idea where you would buy one.

[my12by60]

I have the orange set shown in the link. It is amazing how often I need to grab for one of this little things. The price is usually right at HF, even if the tools are not always the greatest quality.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsea ... q=pick+set

[Dodgeyaussie]

Got this one from the dealer...

[Dodgeyaussie]

Dodgey,

Have you installed your replacement part yet? Any issues getting the old out and the new in? How about that grey harness to the left (in your pic) of the solenoid? That looks like it is a pinch and pull similar to the fog light harness that I disconnected when installing a replacement fog light. Did you disconnect that one to create working room?

I really didn't want to disturb the wiring harness anymore than i had to, so i removed the bolts necessary to get some movement in the bracket in front of it, then a 27mm socket did the trick to remove the old and install the new.

[my12by60]

Ok. Thanks. I am still waiting for my part to arrive in the mail.

[my12by60]

I received my part and got it installed this afternoon. I was able to disconnect the wire harness beside the solenoid. Then I loosened the bracket for the wire bundle running toward the driver side. That created enough room to get the retaining clip off of the harness, which was the trickiest part of the job. I used a 1 1/16" socket to remove the old and tighten the replacement. I hope the solenoid was the primary source the oil I see on my garage floor, but I have a feeling that I will need to chase down another leak source.