How To Replace VVT / Vanos Solenoid Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 155, (DS3, DS4, Peugeot 3008, 5008 etc)

Read full description please: No nonsense guide on replacing the Variable Valve Timing / Vanos Solenoid in Prince engines. This one is a Citroen DS5 with the 1.6 THP, EP6. I assume this will be very similar on the Citroen DS3, Peugeot 3008, and potentially Mini and BMW N12/N14 engines, although they may have a front solenoid too.

It's in a tricky spot with not much room to maneuver or see. I highly recommend having a camera of some sort to help, whether it's a phone or ideally an endoscope.

Sometimes you can get away with just cleaning the old one with brake cleaner, but given the annoyance it is to replace it I highly recommend just buying a new one.

OE part numbers:
CITROËN 1922R7
CITROËN 1922V9
CITROËN 1628924280
CITROËN 1922V5
CITROËN V758776080
I used Pierburg # 706117450

"Oil pressure from the oil pump goes into a solenoid valve on the engine block. This valve controls the oil pressure that reaches the cam phaser. The cam phaser is the adjusting mechanism which controls intake cam timing. The cam timing changes depending on the oil pressure inside the cam phaser.
The whole system after the cam oil pressure solenoid valve is purely mechanical. There are no pressure sensors providing feedback about what goes on into the cam timing mechanism with regards to oil. Which means it can cause undetectable trouble when something malfunctions.

Sometimes the solenoid valve gets contaminated with dirt that accumulates from the oil residues over time. This leads into the system getting stuck and feeding less or more pressure into the camshaft. This valve sits next to the hydraulic chain tensioner – intake side."