I was reading the Ford BA factory service manual and it doesnt say anything about removing the VCT solenoids or the tiny filters underneath them, has anyone had to do this to clean them?

Can it be done without removal of the VCT phasers from the cams? How do they come out?

Im planning on cleaning them on my next oil change as this new car I have aquired is filthy and it would not surprise me if the control valves were full of s**t.

Does anyone recommend a good pre-oil change sludge cleaner/additive?

Cheers!

bf's don't have them so i'm asuming they do fill up with crap... never heard of it being a big problem though. obviously if it was easy enough it would be a great idea although i have never pulled apart anything more sophisticated than a sohc so i'm no help.

In the factory manual is says if starting is slow/difficult then to clean the oil control valve (VCT unit oil control valve jammed).

Someone else has brought this up as well, and aparantly Ford released a service bullatin regarding it, and I guess it could happen easily if you didnt change your oil frequently enough.