P0016 - should I invest in enhanced diagnostics?

[shoshin]

For years my RCZ has thrown completely symptomless P0016s (and no other codes), always in the precise circumstances of a low speed return to idle when the engine is cold (like approaching traffic lights or T junction). Tried everything I can think of or can find on the web. Just wondering, if I shell out to replace my cheap scanner with an expensive car-specific product or software, am I likely to get something more detailed than the standard 'camshaft/crankshaft bank 1' message? Or is that as far as they all go? Many thanks

 

[Pedro]

Lexia Diagbox PP2000-The Bank 1 issue is possibly ECU detecting timing fault as Cam/Crank need to be in Sync to give their correct positions to time the engine it can primarily relate to the Intake camshaft position sensor showing its in the wrong position

 

[lfe]

I think a better diagnostic system will only confirm the problem, that is, that the camshaft is out of phase from where it should be, but it will not tell you where the fault is, which is probably a mechanical fault, a partial obstruction somewhere in a oil line, bad sensor etc.

I would be in favor of disassembling the entire VANOS and looking for the problem, cleaning everything very well.

And from what you describe it seems that it gets stuck and when you return to idle it does not return to the position properly.

 

[Pedro]

For years my RCZ has thrown completely symptomless P0016s (and no other codes), always in the precise circumstances of a low speed return to idle when the engine is cold (like approaching traffic lights or T junction). Tried everything I can think of or can find on the web. Just wondering, if I shell out to replace my cheap scanner with an expensive car-specific product or software, am I likely to get something more detailed than the standard 'camshaft/crankshaft bank 1' message? Or is that as far as they all go? Many thanks

Just a heads up if your buying the Lexia PP2000 setup the guy on ebay running Lancetech is a safe bet I got mine form him a good while ago & had no issues but beware some out there are total software rip off rubbish gangsters check out youtube for pointers of the bad fookers selling crap

 

[Pedro]

I think a better diagnostic system will only confirm the problem, that is, that the camshaft is out of phase from where it should be, but it will not tell you where the fault is, which is probably a mechanical fault, a partial obstruction somewhere in a oil line, bad sensor etc.

I would be in favor of disassembling the entire VANOS and looking for the problem, cleaning everything very well.

And from what you describe it seems that it gets stuck and when you return to idle it does not return to the position properly.

Yes I know I've banged on about Oil issues but these engines need clean lubrication to function at their best performance cleaning the Vinos will help if its filthy but overall Oil service is key to keeping it healthy if you have a service record showing oil changes at 10-12000 klm cut that in half & your engine will last longer !

 

[shoshin]

Lexia Diagbox PP2000-The Bank 1 issue is possibly ECU detecting timing fault as Cam/Crank need to be in Sync to give their correct positions to time the engine it can primarily relate to the Intake camshaft position sensor showing its in the wrong position

Thanks for that, seems like a more expensive scanner won't take the analysis any further in this case.

 

[shoshin]

I think a better diagnostic system will only confirm the problem, that is, that the camshaft is out of phase from where it should be, but it will not tell you where the fault is, which is probably a mechanical fault, a partial obstruction somewhere in a oil line, bad sensor etc.

I would be in favor of disassembling the entire VANOS and looking for the problem, cleaning everything very well.

And from what you describe it seems that it gets stuck and when you return to idle it does not return to the position properly.

Many thanks for this. I have changed the VVT solenoid (horrible job), but no improvement and the one I took off passed all tests too. The input voltage to it at idle was only 3.7v, but I gather that this is not unusual and voltage will increase when required.

 

[shoshin]

Yes I know I've banged on about Oil issues but these engines need clean lubrication to function at their best performance cleaning the Vinos will help if its filthy but overall Oil service is key to keeping it healthy if you have a service record showing oil changes at 10-12000 klm cut that in half & your engine will last longer !

I've changed oil & filter twice, most recently trying the newer 0w-30 recommendation in case that helped, but still no luck. Coil pack and plugs, cam and crank sensors, vvt solenoid too. I don't suspect the timing itself because the belt was changed by a THP engine specialist a couple of years ago with no immediate problems afterwards and low miles since, plus it never happens when the engine is up to temperature. I've seen idle air control valve mentioned, but would have thought I would have idling problems. The fault is completely symptomless, the car runs perfectly and identical whether the P0016 is activated or not.

 

[RCZIain]

I had pp2k, diagbox/lexia. Very useful bits of kit. You will need a laptop though, runs on Vista from memory.
Earned me beer too from helping people on various forums.

 

[Pedro]

Throttle position sensor ?