VVT Camshaft Sprocket Phaser check

RDWizard

Short story:
Car had been throwing a P0300 for a week.
Replaced the spark plugs.
Car was apparently low on oil from the last oil change at the service center.
Less than a quart in the pan.
(I didn't think to check based on my service intervals)
3750 miles between oil changes. The car was ready for an oil change.

With low oil, Cold start and on the way to work car made a loud clicking sound for 10secs and then went into bad misfire limp mode. (one block from the house)

Fast forward to today.

I think I have a bad VVT Cam Sprocket phaser.
Is there any way to check one?
Two tests that Torque lists has one at 4deg and the other at 16deg.
I'm assuming these are the cam angles but I don't have a Consult.

MID: $35 TID: $80
Min:-13deg Max 13deg
Current: 16deg
Not OK

MID: $36 TID: $80
Min:-13deg Max 13deg
Current: 4deg
OK

I unplugged both of the VVT solenoids and it stills runs the same with the same codes. P0011, P0300. And it runs like terrible. Limp mode, misfire, stench of gas.

I did an oil change.
Added an oil pressure gauge. (Good oil pressure)
Replaced both Camshaft Sensors.
Took off the 2 Camshaft sprocket covers & Checked Timing. (Good)
No signs of blown Galley gasket.

Attached Images

	27653457_10213615216988850_109075204_o.jpg (54.3 KB, 46 views)
	timing.jpg (71.0 KB, 88 views)

Spooler

You said you had less than a quart of oil in the pan. If so, that engine is done. Run a compression test on all cylinders and tell us what you see.

Streetz

Need to check the operation of the phaser. You can command it to a specific degree with a scan tool. If the phaser doesn't work when being commanded its either the cam phaser solenoid or the phaser. You can check for the pulse width signal from the PCM at solenoid just to make sure they are being commanded.

More the likely the phaser is toasted from the lack of lubricant. They are usually the weakest link in the motor for when the engine is starving.

RDWizard

What scan tool do I need to get that can command the phasers?

RDWizard

So the plot thickens!!!!

Compression check is good. 225psi.

I have been resetting the ECU at the beginning of every test I do.
Still getting P0011 & P0300/P0306 codes and going into limp mode right away if I rev the engine.
So I dive into checking cylinder 6 coil and spark plug. NOTHING. NO SPARK AT ALL. I pull the coil and plug from cylinder 4 and test it on cylinder 4 wire and it sparks. I put the coil and plug on the wire to cylinder 6 and crank. NOTHING.

So now my mind is blown. Apparently my oil wasn't low enough to damage anything. My misfires started a few weeks back and now this. I think I have an electrical problem not a mechanical or sensor problem. Now to check for open circuits.

This all sounds like the same problems many have had in the past that have been unsuccessfully diagnosed or fixed like in this thread: Ignition Coils Misfiring anyone?

I dusted off the scope and I'm going to dive in to the wiring.

To Be Continued........

stansens

So all of that unburned gas diluted the engine oil which means a lot could evaporate via engine heat. All of that raw fuel into cylinder six would compromise the seal that the oil rings could give you and further accelerate blow by. You might want to check the no. 6 plug as it may be wet, oil soaked or fouled so replace it to not have trouble later. Hopefully no other damage occurred and maybe check pcv for excess blow by as well.
Lastly no offense but high performance engines should by checked often such as every other fill up to keep oil level as close to full as possible which will add tens of thousands of miles to your engine life.
Good luck on your findings.

Spooler

Good deal, sounds like the engine is fine. Wiring is the next place to look. Sounds like you may have broken wire in the harness. It happens.

1slow370

I had a thrust bearing fail when a cooler line popped off, junk from the bearings plugged the cam phasers, new engine required. You will need to check end play and at the bare minimum remove the timing and covers to replace the filters and clean out your oil passages but I'm going to bet you need a motor

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future370zzz

Ouch, I'm praying not.

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future370zzz

UPDATE: It turns out to be the intake cam phasers were damaged. Shop replaced the intake cam phasers, timing chain and tensioner and we went ahead and replaced the oil gallery gaskets and bolts. Total was about $3800. The P0011 code is gone, drove it home and it felt great. Hope that fixes everything.

Note: Shop mentioned that they did the same repairs on about 7 other 370z's already. This shop is Z car specialty repair shop.

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