Dam! 127k and they just started. at least I'm assuming it's them. It had better be them. Time to go ground if they do it again. or maybe just change oil filter and add some lucas

 

Just ground them and forget they ever existed!

 

And lose all the lowend power? No way!

I run Valvoline Durablend (synthetic blend oil) 10W-40 in my car and it loves it. It runs pretty damn quiet (actually probably improved the condition of the motor after I got the car). I also use K&N Gold Oil filters. FWIW, I think they're the best.

Plus, I'll be switching to Valvoline durablend 5W-30 when it gets a little colder out here.

 

I'm not a great fan of bypassing oe systems. I'll see later if it is still clacking when it starts up. if it is i'll try changing oil and going to a wix filter and see if it helps.

 

I made a discovery in Seattle a couple weeks ago. After having my VTCs grounded since February, I ungrounded them again and they never once made noise during the trip, even though it was cold there. Now that I'm back home, the little SOB's started making hella noise again, so I made myself a special little mod.

Took some extra wire, bought a switch, and drilled a little hole in the plate that covers where the P/C switch is on an auto. So now, when the car's cold, I flip the switch down and ground the VTC's, then when it warms up (in silence), I unground them and get my power back.... works good so far. So in essence, I built myself a "power/silence" switch

 

Fancy.

Btw, what oil & filter do you run in your car and what is your regular oil change interval?

 

I use the toyota filter, and Castrol Syntec Blend 5W30.

 

You profile still says seattle

 

Once they start ticking, the springs have become weak. Not much you can do but try to delay the progress as much as possible. Reversal is impossible.

 

Its actually high-end power thats lost. At high rpm the ecu disengages them (un-grounds the vtc).

 

i just got my rebuild kits today ! new springs and plates YEA !

 

It is low end power that is lost. It is clearly stated in the FSM. The Solenoid disengages at say 4500rpm which allows the oil to pass threw, taking the pressure away from the plate/springs, and letting the cam run its actual grind. (disengage meaning ground, meaning it will allow oil to pass threw).

K&N filters = Napa filters = Wix filters
Napa PN#1361 (gold filter).

Spipedong90- I've been thinking about doing that for a while now, but just havent gotten around to it. Did you run a wire from the engine bay into the car, or did you tap the wiring harness near the ECU? (also sucks about the VTC's starting to click again, maybe your car just likes me )