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juliusstar4
Vauxhall Mokka VANOS Issue
4 comment(s)
juliusstar4 (Author)
Oil looked alright, nothing unusual. What exactly does the VANOS solenoid do?
berndhahn35
Okay, good about the oil. The VANOS solenoid controls the oil flow to the VANOS unit, which then adjusts the camshaft timing. If the solenoid is faulty, the timing won't be adjusted correctly, leading to the symptoms you described. Given the 'check engine' light, it's best to get it diagnosed properly. I ended up taking my Megane to a shop when I had the issue.
juliusstar4 (Author)
Thanks for the info! I took it to a workshop and they confirmed it. The inlet VANOS solenoid valve was faulty and they replaced it. Total cost was around 250€. Runs like new now!
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berndhahn35
Sounds familiar! I had a similar issue with my old Renault Megane. The check engine light plus fuel consumption points to variable valve timing problems, often related to the VANOS solenoid. VANOS is a BMW term, but it's basically a system to optimize engine performance by adjusting the camshaft timing. It could be a defect in one of the camshaft solenoid valves or the power supply not being available. Did you notice any oil sludge when you last checked your oil?