Motorists are just beginning to realise there’s a car part in their vehicles that needs regular maintenance, or it could end up costing them dearly.
We all know tyre pressure should be checked regularly and windscreen wiper fluid needs topping up, but there’s a lesser-known part of your car that also requires attention. Motoring expert @chequanxiaoqiao took to TikTok to reveal that “every vehicle has a critically important accessory,” and if you notice your car has “weak acceleration” or “jittery idling” and is “wasting fuel”, it could be due to something under your bonnet.
“Maybe it’s this part that’s broken,” she suggested, and then told her viewers about the camshaft solenoid valve. “This part is not easily damaged; however if not properly maintained, it is very easy to get clogged.”
The expert went on to share how to clean it, saving you from expensive maintenance costs. She advised to “remove the screw at the bottom,” noting that a wrench is “very cheap and can be purchased anywhere,” so it’s a must-have for your toolkit.
Then “pull the plug out,” although she warned it “might be a little tight”. Once removed, it was “dirty” and “covered with oil sludge.” She also recommended you “lay some paper towels on the floor” and use a carburettor cleaner spray.
She sprayed it, and all the dirt was gone in an instant. She continued: “These black substances are the culprit. They block the filter, causing the engine oil not to run smoothly.”
She then suggested to put some oil “on the seal” before fitting the part back into the car, explaining, “It’s very simple, and it saves money to do it yourself.”
This electronically controlled valve within an engine manages the flow of oil that adjusts the camshaft’s timing, thereby optimising the opening and shutting of valves.
This improves fuel efficiency and enhances engine performance under various driving conditions. Failure to maintain this component can lead to hefty replacement costs upwards of £100, so it pays to keep an eye on it.