Variable valve timing
 

I have an SL 500. I did a search on "variable valve timing" but found very little discussion about it on the SL board. I posted the following but thought I would try this board too. I am not sure how different the SL's 119.982 engine is compared to the S series 119.980, but perhaps not much where it comes to VVT.

I'm trying to learn as much as possible about the design and function of the variable valve timing on the intake cam. I had a leaky cam adjust solenoid (magnet) and dealing with that started me thinking about it's function. Rather than make assumptions, I thought I would ask for advice from the experts on this forum!

It appears to me that there is no adjustment on the exhaust cam so all cam phasing is achieved on the intake.


When I look on the EPS at the individual parts, it looks to me like this is a magnetically controlled (vane?) phaser using an armature as an electro-mechanical camshaft position actuator. Am I on the right track? Using the exploded parts view isn't a good way to determine physical operation; I am therefore a bit clueless - that might be obvious!

Can anyone help educate me on the signal this solenoid receives, from where, and with what result? How does the electromagnet phase the cam? Does it advance it for low end torque performance? How many degrees? Etc.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.