I have a 99 Lexus RX300. Car was running fine. Suddenly, CEL appears. Very rough idle, smell of exhaust when it is idling rough, hesitation, and at random speeds engine cuts out like you turned it off and then speeds up again. Codes are P0505, P1354, and random misfire codes for 2, 4, and 6. Car seems to run fairly normal until engine warms up. Removed OCV and cleaned. Connected it to a battery pack and it seems to work as it should( but I dont know what normal is). Should I rule out the OCV and look elsewhere. Could it be the idle control valve. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I thought I would write a solution that worked for me. This relates to codes P1354 and P1349, related codes and symptoms.

Code P1354 VVI Malfunction Bank 2. Bank 2 is closest to the radiator. Often called the left side.
Resulting codes:

Code: P0300 - Multiple random misfires
Codes: P0302, P0304. P0306 - Cylinder misfire in cylinders 2, 4 and 6.
Possible code also- Code: 1153 - AF/ sensor bank 2 sensor 1


OR

Code P1349 VVI Malfunction Bank 1. Bank 1 the difficult side where the intake body is. Often called the right side.

Code: P0300 - Multiple random misfires
Codes: P0301, P0303. P0305 - Cylinder misfire in cylinders 1, 3 and 5.
Code for A/F sensor as well.


Driving symptoms:
The check engine light may come on periodically and go off after some driving. You may attribute it to a poorly closed gas cap ( may be the problem). You may not notice any significant performance issues.
At some point the idle may get rough due to the misfire, it may idle well when cold and become rough when warm. Ignore it and there may be a fish bite (jerk) at multiple speeds and revs. You may drive at a constant speed and the car cuts back and then revs up.

The brakes seem to become hard as well since insufficiently vacuum is created at idle.

Solution:
The code print out from from the ECM will suggest checking electrical connections, sludge etc.

The first thing is to panic, and think the coils may be the problem. If you car was running OK highly unlikely all three coils on one bank will suddenly develop go bad simultaneously. The code print out from from the ECM will suggest checking electrical connections, sludge etc.

If it is sludge that is causing the OCV to stick, then you have a bigger problem to address. Remove the valve covers to see if there is sludge.
You are luck if the electrical connections are a loose.

More then likely, it is the Oil Control Valve (OCV). Being VVT, the intake valves stroke is determined by engine RPM and load through the ECM and sensors. This in turn regulates the OCV allowing more or less oil through to control the intake valve stroke.


Replacing the OCV is an easy task. Start with taking of the plastic engine cover. I have attached some pictures.
To remove the OCV, remove any obstructing pipes if you have to (I did not).
Remove the electrical connector and 10mm head bolt.
Rotate it to break the O ring seal pull it out. You may need a flat end screwdriver to pry it under from underneath the flange.

Replace with a new one. Be careful not to mix the left and right sides. The one in the picture is bank 2, left.

This may not be the solution for everyone but it worked.

The OCV from the dealer is about $100 and 10 minutes to install. If you are close to http://www.twsparts.com/ they sell genuine Lexus parts ($80).
http://www.parkplacetexas.com/DealershipHo...?DealershipID=5 has them online cheaper but you have to pay shipping.


Hope this helps some out there.

Maistran.


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Thanks,
Maistran

I found this hope it helps.. You might want to do a search on the codes.

IACV is easy to clean and possibly rule out as a problem, but generally doesn't cause an extreme rough idle. Also, when mine was dirty it never threw any codes. If the rough idle comes and goes its not likely a coil, if it stays consistently bad, it may be. Once one of the coils goes bad, it causes a flood of other codes to be thrown, including misfires on other cylinders. If you reset the codes and start the car, then stop it quickly once the CEL appears you can see the true code that indicates the problem.

Maistran

I did not see any pictures. I have the same problem and would love to see those pictures of the OCV. How do we see them on here. can you make a link?

also, when I go to any Lexus parts place, the Oil Control Valve is never listed.. even when I do a search..

thanks
Tony267

The oil control valve is listed under engine, camshaft timing, and then control valve.....

see here:
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...playCatalogid=0

VERY INSIGHTFULL AND INFORMATIVE POST FROM PATICAKE.



sry not the best picture but this is the left OCV out of my 98 GS400.

Same conditions as Paticake mentioned. Multiple misfires, engine idling poorly, misfire on all 4 cylinder on one side. I thought my engine was done for.

I have had my fair share of Coil pack issues. I knew there was no way 4 plus or 4 coil packs when out at the same time. Removed and fire tested each coil pack, Replaced all 4 plugs on that bank for extra messure (yes i got all 8) Removed front convers to check VVTi cam Gear marks for TDC to match the crank. All At TDC. REMOVED left OVC, feed it - and + an it did nothing (not plunging). Removed Right OVC and feed it - and + and it plunged everytime.

CRANK TDC
RIGHT CAM TDC
LEFT CAM TDC

Left side: 15340-50010 0050


MY QUESTION NOW IS, WHERE IS THE FILTERS FOR THE VVTi IN THE V8'S? BEHIND THE VVTi GEAR ASSEMBLY?