Swap your suspect sensor with the exhaust one (can't remember right name) but it's just to the side of your suspected faulty one. They are both the same I believe and if your fault comes back on that side it deffo confirms it as faulty. It may just be gunked up so while swapping them give em a good clean.

A new one costs about £50 and only held in with one bolt. Simply unplug cable, shift out the way, undo bolt holding in and it will pop out. Clean the area that would be internal and the area round the seal then pop it back in. 10 min job.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zq_Q2QN7Sto

 

Ok thanks for the advice.
I suppose my other question here would be does this sound like a solenoid problem or something else like pcv? Given my oil consumption.

 

I would tackle the known fault before trying to second guess anything else.

 

Ok thanks. So that fault code is definitely solenoid related?

 

Yes I had mine replaced a couple months back after the emergency call out guy had taken out and cleaned initially. He did the exhaust side as well and swapped them round as they're the same sensor to see if the fault followed. Sure enough a couple weeks later EML was back referring to the exhaust side. Long story short but due to a wider oil pump balance shaft issue which was sorted under warranty along with numerous sensors they replaced both of the sensors you're concerned about as they were both throwing codes in the end.

I was told it's often the intake side that goes first and not as common on the exhaust side, and it's the intake side your code is pointing to.

 

Ok thanks!

I managed to borrow some sockets today to fix this. Car wouldnt start at first in the cold. Then same rough idle etc. But got it to the driveway. Pulled out the solenoids, cleaned the intake side with brake cleaner and flushed with WD40 then put some oil on. Switched the exhaust side over and put the intake one in the exhaust. Started it up. No problems at all! Took it for a run. Not picking up any codes on the exhaust side.

So all good.... for now. But I do wonder about oil pressure overall unless it was a coincidence that this emerged immediately after topping up with 1L of oil?

I may order a new pair of solenoids anyway just to be on the safe side.

 

If you suspect oil pressure issues, it could be your VANOS check valve filters are blocked. DIY replacement guide here:

DIY: VANOS Check Valve Replacement