Mazdaspeed 3 : How To Check Your VVT!

Let's take a quick look at the VVT by removing our valve cover and inspecting the VC itself, as well as checking the tension of the timing chain. Takes about 20 minutes to check and basic tools are needed. If you haven't checked your VVT before or dont know if it was replaced prior to purchasing the car (if you bought used), then this is a MUST to ensure longevity of your engine! In my case there was a VVT rattle for 5-10 seconds on start up. That sound is actually the timing chain slapping against the VC. Big no no and definitely going to be replacing the VVT ASAP! Stay tuned - she'll be back to 100% soon!

[@Poopsmasher-ne1ow]

That’s a timing chain my guy the vvt is the solenoid right by the chain 💀

[@castro_d1898]

Lol my guy doesn't what he doing, that chain probably not even stretched either, usually it's the tensioner that go bad from all the pulling.

[@shannonm9291]

I get what he was trying to put across though. The vvt unit on the cam shaft can rotate obviously, so if the vvt unit itself was buggered, it could rotate anti clockwise causing slack on the chain. I'd be sussing the tensioner first too though, the ratcheting tension in these motors are pretty temperamental lol.

[@roblord7610]

How does the VVT cause a loose chain - wouldn't it be caused by a bad tensioner ?

[@chosen7778]

Yes that's happen to mine the tensioner was shot and all the way out

[@christophercates5257]

Kid doesn't know what the fuck he's talking about.

[@SikAzz92Yota]

This video is misleading info. For one, you need to rotate cyl1 to TDC before checking slack on chain. ALSO, Mark's on valve cover arent 100%, because if the vvt was changed out by previous owner then those marks could be there from before. ANOTHER possibility is the VC was replaced for aesthetic reasons from another vehicle.

[@TomCanino]

Yeah i forgot to mention you need it at tdc to check it 😂

[@stevenfoust3782]

Looks like the chain and tensioner are shot, probably guides as well. I don’t believe your little check proves it is just the vvt phaser. All that slop is a wasted chain.

[@Neptune8]

Isn’t the slack from an elongated chain from the chain tensioner ? Which would mean only thing he would need is the chain and the tensioner replaced? (Obviously if the chain is coming out then you mine as well do the entire service)

[@TomCanino]

You want to make sure it’s at top dead center before checking the chain but i guess yeah it’s actually the tensioner. Just change it all if you’re in there

[@mzr3553]

With the new vvt kit did the car feel smoother after replacing it

[@christophercates5257]

Why you calling it a VVT? It's a timing chain bro. Means you need a timing chain job done. The VVT is the solenoid or the phaser sprocket. You shouldn't be working on Mazdas man. Seriously though when you say your VVT is hitting the valve cover makes you sound like a noob. VVT ( variable valve timing) it's a system not a part. There are several parts to a VVT system such as timing chain and tensioner, VVT phaser also called Cam phaser , VVT selanoid. That slack wasnt even that bad, I've seen worse. Can't wait to see you change a VVT 😂😂😂 you need a timing job not a VVT job. Your chain is overstretched and tensioner fully extended , meaning timing job!! May as well change the VVT selanoid and phaser while you are there. May want to let a pro do the timing bc im not sure I'm confident that you can handle it. Its actually pretty complicated if you dont know what your doing. It requires special cam and crank tools and things must be done in a proper order. You may wanna watch a video on MZR timing.

[@johnnyversaci7091]

I was gonna check mine eventually I don't hear anything on a cold start tho, is that hat yours was doing?

[@nct9466]

Your VVT isn’t faulty cause you can clearly see the cap still there.. It’s mainly your chain is stretched.

[@ChutneyInc.]

I don't mazda 3's but I was thinking the same thing....

[@evancai6061]

In reality it's just the chain tensioner. I literally got the same chain on for a couple years now and no problem. Everytime there is a slack it's just the tensioner. All these other people really are just doing the most and make a even bigger deal about it.

[@JakeyyFD]

@@evancai6061 in reality it's the VVT and the timing chain. The first gen MZR DISI had the pin in the VVT actuator made of a substandard material, it wears out and eventually snaps. While wearing out, it has a tendency to stretch the timing chain, which was also made of an inferior material. The chain tensioner and guides don't fail practically ever.

[@dannymartinez8522]

​@Jakey what about the 2nd gen does it have the same pin for the vvt?

[@themindlessliberal6404]

@@JakeyyFD FWIW, I have a 2007 Speed3 with 182K miles, and original VVT and timing chain.

[@Flame11boyy]

You cant check chain tensoin without the car being at TDC. Also vvt has nothing to do with chain tension, you arent a mechanic and havent solved a problem, just given people false ways to diagnose problems that arent there

[@compacheo603]

Are these cars pretty reliable if left somewhat stock lol like just intake and reso muffler delete ? Used to have civic si. 8th gen but always wanted one of these ms3 as a new daily slammed on stocks 😬

[@mortysmith5556]

They are great cars. More maintenance than a Honda though

[@TomCanino]

You got it right MS3 VERYTHING! They’re amazing cars - if you take care of them that is haha

[@mortysmith5556]

Yeah. I just got a first gen. Stock turbo but runs amazingly. Just got a code though. PO245 You wouldnt be familiar with it would you?

[@snajjpern]

Eeeh as said below, how would changing of the vvt solenoid help with the slacking chain? As far as i know that needs a new chain, tensioner and sliders. Or what have i missed? No offence...

[@TomCanino]

Yeah there’s no point in replacing just one part. You should get a new oem vvt kit that comes with everything (chain, tensioners, guides, etc)

[@mrfixitdellacertifiedfield5376]

Sorry but the VVT is not a solenoid but a Hydraulic Actuator depended on the supply oil pressure form the OCV , H e said nothing about a code which generally is a P0012 retarded timing issue which is either the VVT or the OCV

[@kevinborish]

That oem vvt actuators had a defect from factory where the stop lock pin would become loose causing the chain to stretch rapidly. After a certain vin number in 2010 they fixed it with an upgraded vvt actuator in the newer ms3's. Either way even if its just a bad chain might as well replace all of it.

[@ChutneyInc.]

@@kevinborish I'm trying to find out if I can use that solrnoid/actuator in my nb2 miata. Because our are expensive AF

[@clevernduruza8624]

You showed absolutely nothing you didn't even touch the pulley.

[@kevinborish]

Bottom line is your chain shouldn't be that loose. Whether its a vvt or just a bad chain although it is known that these engines have vvt actuator issues which cause stretched chains. Might as well just replace everything.

[@10secTonner]

Vvti is the gear on the right, the thing in the middle between the gears is the vvti sensor

[@imyourdad.1993]

I hope u checked it when it was hot.

[@mrfixitdellacertifiedfield5376]

why ? doesn't matter all you want to know if the OCV is working and open/ close to send the VVT Actuator enough oil pressure so it can advance/ retard the timing ):

[@Heartseasestudios]

I bought my car and have had it for over a year decided too check for bad vvt this same exact way, and saw marks, and it has a little slack but nothing enough too worry I sent a video of the marks and I got told it was bad vvt but I don’t hear anything at start up, also my timing chain and tensioner was already replaced so I’m assuming it’s from previously but it’s scary! Any advice?!

[@Heartseasestudios]

Mines the 07 Mazdaspeed 3

[@Sleeepypat]

You made sure cylinder 1 was at tdc right? If not you will have slack in the timing chain

[@TomCanino]

Nonetheless it’s hitting the vc though so it’s definitely loose right?

[@Sleeepypat]

I guess I should watch the full video before commenting haha. Yeah that’s a clear indication

[@TomCanino]

Hahaha but yeah if i didn’t see the wear marks that’s what i would’ve done!

[@MarcGismondi]

@@TomCanino i have 215k kms on my speed with no timing chain done, no rattles at start up and i basically have the same set us as you except a highflow cat and a big top mount and other little things, but my chain does have a lot of slack i check it all the time, but theres been times where iv checked it and its stiff as fuck, not saying its not good to change it but i just feel like a lot of people over react with the timing chains and vvt on these cars.

[@TomCanino]

@@MarcGismondi what year is your car? supposedly the issue was more common on gen 1s rather than gen 2s

[@kylerasanen]

Still waiting on the vvt vid

[@BEY.007]

Replace the VVT solenoid too, might as well, that's what I need done, that crazy P2088 code , I thought it was the connector/wiring, wish we could just take it off without moving the head off engine 🙄

[@commentmancommentman1658]

Bro its normal. Timing chains run through oil pressure. A slight slack is nornal. Heck even a new or built engines you can hear the timing chain rattle at cold start with 1 to 2 seconds, if it still rattles 10seconds or more then you are screwed.

[@MisterMaxicola]

But thats way too much😂

[@commentmancommentman1658]

@@MisterMaxicola thats not even at tdc ofc it has a slack.

[@castro_d1898]

The man didn't even move the crankshaft so we will never know

[@nzdatsports9659]

yea chain tensioner bad not vvt , the vvt is the intake cam pulley . and can not cause a loose chain .

[@davidangove8451]

Hey mate great vid, I've just rebuilt a 08 cx7 2.3 turbo, but I don't know if I've got the vvt sprocket in the right position, I never marked it!! I've got the new vvt in, with the retaining pin at the 1-2 o'clock position. Any advice would be great cheers Dave

[@brotherhood_ofstreetracers4268]

Fuck me man shit MINE IS BAD I bought my car 2 weeks ago

[@jb6574]

Did you ever replace the timing kit and if so how hard was it?

[@TomCanino]

Funny story about that which I’ll be making an update video about tomorrow!

[@mrfixitdellacertifiedfield5376]

And yes it is not easy at home takes about 6-8 hours including cleaning the gaskets off the timing cover and cleaning all the bolt holes, you will also need a fixture to hold both cams at once and a fixture ( 8mm screw special length ) to hold the crankshaft counter wieght from moving ( AND DON't FORGET TO SET THE 2 MARKS AT 12 O'CLOCK POSITION ) on the cam shaft gear and the VVT Gear . Hope this helps . TIP: if you you do not have a P0012 CODE i would not change out the VVT Actuator but make sure the Oil Control Valve "OCT" WORKS

[@mrfixitdellacertifiedfield5376]

OH AND I FORGOT YOU WILL NEED A NEW CRANKSHAFT BOLT ALONG WITH 3 FRICTION WASHERS ( AND GOOD LUCK WITH TIGHTENING THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT to 77 ft/bs PLUS 2 TIMES @ 90 DEGREES you will need a fixture to hold the crankshaft pulley which is difficult

[@bobsoft]

@@mrfixitdellacertifiedfield5376 Hold it all still with the flywheel.

[@Dude_Ness]

@TomCamino can we get some more info like how many miles your car had at that point so we can expect about when to change ours?

[@dacoda6668]

I’d driven one speed6 in same condition for 3 years! No problem 😂 it rattles but works fine! Just changed oil every 3k

[@liamwhite527]

Lucky usually they blow up like that

[@akaitv6606]

Put the whole 2.5 timing chain kit in it chain and sprockets .Don't use 2.3 stuff it's shit

[@carlossantamaria7967]

It won’t hit the timing cover ?

[@seanlogan1509]

I have a first gen and started hearing a tapping noise recently. Going to check my vvt but I'm pretty sure it's going to be like this one 😬😭

[@willg125]

howd it go?

[@francismbulo]

Did you fix

[@FabianRomano1]

Did you check the chain tensioner ??

[@EvoBlk]

Did you put it to tdc when you checked this?

[@frankpaul3204]

That’s not the vvt. It’s the timing chain.

[@carlosbanegas7577]

very good thank you

[@yungsnoop47]

How many miles on the car ?

[@MAKI702]

Video show only chain! No sound of bad chain! so you tell you need to take off all to see if is good do you know what need to take off just to see if is good.! Sound of bad chain can help not like this trun off your cchanel

[@southproduct7463]

what year?

[@MattDickey530]

You realize thats called a timing chain? Vvt means variable valve timing. Also theyre ignition coils not coil packs. Educate yourself

[@shanecorp6835]

Your dumb

[@LoyalScorpio84]

But he is right.....vvt is that large intake cam sproket (hence variable valve timing), that chain looks stretched. He needs a timing chain and probably guides. If he just changed just the vvt, he will have the same problem he has now.

[@tyronenur2373]

No Body 😂😂

[@TomCanino]

Guys no shit a full “VVT replacement” would be replacing the guides, tensioner, chain itself, etc etc. lmaooo

[@LoyalScorpio84]

Look up timing kit for that car, it doesn't come with the vvt sproket. A loose chain will never be a diagnosis for a bad vvt. It's not an insult, it's a correction for when people watching your video sees they have the same issue they don't go to a mechanic and say "I need my vvt replaced". No mechanic will replace the timing chain and tensioner/guide with that statement. I'm saying this with no disrespect to you, but to help your viewers.

[@NewEnglandPete]

Great video Tom! Keep them coming!

[@sq33qs]

GL with the VVT job

[@TomCanino]

Hoping everything goes smooth!

[@mrfixitdellacertifiedfield5376]

Thanks its actually quite simple 6-8 hours at home with about 5 different special tooling that you have to buy along with a torque angle gauge/ cleaning out bolt holes and replacing the crankshaft bolt along with the friction washers ( of course replacing the timing chain tensionsers, )

[@modeljetjuggernaut4864]

These cars blow. You've better chance with a 70s LTD than these flimsy Chinesium concoctions full of blown electrical sensors..

[@MrAtomeB]

Do you even know what vvt means aha

[@TomCanino]

Variable valve timing.

[@mrfixitdellacertifiedfield5376]

Variable Valve Timing Actuator ( the acronym VVT is how it works ) the actuator which he calls timing chain works on oil pressure ( changing advance/retard on the timing dependent on the ECM,PCM data. Funny how he looks at the OCV and says its bad without pulling it out and testing with a 12 volt battery and seeing if the spool is stuck or not open/closing but what do i know ?

[@kevinmorales8094]

When you say you need a “vvt” don’t you mean tensioner new belt and actuator and bolts etc... please elaborate so that anyone that has this rattling problem knows what all to order to make the problem non existent so that they can have the car zeroed on that chain problem.

[@JF-jm3nb]

Holly macro man to much play!!!!