Change the engine? Or what?

DT.11

Hi. I’m a new member to this forum, but have been reading the posts for a few weeks.
I purchased my 2009z in May as a project car. It was misfiring (limp mode) and had a few noises coming from the exhaust (cat failure). I figured that the limp mode was due to oil pressure and an OBDII scan confirmed that, along with some other issues (p0011 and p0021) which I assumed were related. I replaced the gallery gaskets - top one was blown in multiple areas, but the bottom one was intact.
Starting back up and the oil pressure problem was still there, as well as the error codes. Nissan we’re no help, only saying they needed to open the timing cover and check my work before they could diagnose, so I am stuck.
I decided to check the oil bypass valve, just in case it was stuck open and I noticed glitter in the oil, as well as a few flakes of metal. These did not respond to a magnet, so I assume they are aluminium.
Is the engine shot?
Is there something else I should check before condemning it?

I have purchased another engine from a breaker, from a car that was stolen and had only done 60k, so I’m ready to swap the engine out. But I am questioning if I need to.
Help!

THE BULL

When you did the gaskets did you check any other components?

Usually the p0011/p0021 = gasket however depending on how long it was ran like that it's quite possible it received some VTC damage and or overheated the VTC causing the phase gear to slip(VTC Angle tone ring)

if this is the case then you'll never be able to fix these codes unless you check ring alignment and VTC function.

I had a blown gasket and found some metal in the oil after the fix which eventually went away. My cam tensioner shoes were gone it was just the tensioners metal plunger riding on the chain which I contributed to this left over debris.

I would suggest to connect the scan tool and take a look at your VTC angles, confirm your VTC solenoids are working (possible clogged in metal) and see if you can get these codes to go away. After (as long as there is no apparent sound) open your oil filters and check the glitter.

An oil analysis can let you know where is it coming from. It'd would be a good idea to save this while you can. Nothing better than having 2 VHRs

DT.11

Thanks.
I will get the oil checked out.
When I was in doing the gaskets, I didn’t take the chain off. I just marked it and held it in place with zip ties around the crank and the two cam sprockets. It didn’t move on the cam sprockets when I removed the tensioners. The tensioner glides we’re all good, with no marking on them at all, so I felt confident just to do the gaskets and put it all back together again. I pulled both VTC solenoids and they were completely clean, although I didn’t check their function.

I have no idea how long the gasket had failed, but it did not look like a recent event, so my guess is, a while (I found bits everywhere). So it could be the VTC and the phase angle that’s out of position because of overheating. I can check that, as I’ve decided to swap the engine after all. My main reason is the oil pressure, as that’s sitting about 7 or 8psi at warm idle and other than bits in the oil, I can’t find any reason yet. I’m dreading if it’s a rod bearing. I’ll remove the cover and check those phase angles and all the timing marks on this engine and take it from there.
As for that replacement engine, first job is those gallery gaskets before I fit it into the car.