Cam variator actuators failure, is it a common issue?

[alfacorse]

Some days ago I had an oil leak from the left head cover gasket, which I know is a common issue for a 10 years old Granturismo, so I've taken the car to the shop to get it fixed (and to install my new front shock springs that were waiting on the shelf) but when the technician opened the covers (both covers) he found that one of the actuators that are piloting the timing variators was leaking oil, and the oil was running into the electric plug and up into the electric harness, so he told me that it's necessary to replace the actuator (both sides, because as both covers are off it makes no sense to replace just one of the two). This will take some extra days to get the parts and some extra money.

Does somebody know if this is a common issue? It's the first time I hear about this kind of failure...

 

[conaero]

Yes, its like the reverse of the ticking on startup, they are silent on start up then start ticking.

They are called the variator solenoid.

 

[toolmaker]

can you explain the ticking at start up , there are 1000000000000's of explanations and theories and I
am asking about the 4.7 after the variator issues were solved, in other words from model year 2015 and on.
thx

 

[Zep]

The fix was put in place mid-2009 (the internet has it at different times). The cause, low oil pressure at the variators.