VVT Camshaft Sprocket Phaser check

RDWizard · 02-11-2018, 11:48 AM

So I found some interesting information while researching the dreaded P0011 DTC.
In the FSM EM-107 step 5 of the Inspection of Camshaft Sprocket (INT) Oil Groove, it mentions that there is an oil filter for the CVT grooves.
This is the one and only mention of it that I can find anywhere in the FSM.
Now this really sheds some light on the blown gally gasket issue!!
Think about, if the CVT filter gets clogged and the engine (oil pump) is trying to pump 100+psi oil through the gally, there is only one other place to go.
Blow out the weak gally gasket!!!
Sounds like a poor design to hide an oil filter behind the CVT covers.
The worst part is that you have to remove all of the belt driven accessories and brackets on the side of bank 1 to remove it's cover.
Either way, I think it's an important step in troubleshooting the P0011 DTC that I have not seen anybody do.
Therefor I will be doing this test next along with checking the CVT solenoids signal and Ground wires.

future370zzz · 04-18-2021, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDWizard

So I found some interesting information while researching the dreaded P0011 DTC.
In the FSM EM-107 step 5 of the Inspection of Camshaft Sprocket (INT) Oil Groove, it mentions that there is an oil filter for the CVT grooves.
This is the one and only mention of it that I can find anywhere in the FSM.
Now this really sheds some light on the blown gally gasket issue!!
Think about, if the CVT filter gets clogged and the engine (oil pump) is trying to pump 100+psi oil through the gally, there is only one other place to go.
Blow out the weak gally gasket!!!
Sounds like a poor design to hide an oil filter behind the CVT covers.
The worst part is that you have to remove all of the belt driven accessories and brackets on the side of bank 1 to remove it's cover.
Either way, I think it's an important step in troubleshooting the P0011 DTC that I have not seen anybody do.
Therefor I will be doing this test next along with checking the CVT solenoids signal and Ground wires.

Any updates to your situation?

My 2010 just threw a P0011 code and I limped home. Oil was low just like you. Got an oil change and checked the oil pressure (fine - 18psi @ 175F). Changed the VVT intake solenoids. Problems remains. Going to change out the camshaft and maybe the crankshaft sensors. Tested power to the VVT solenoid sensors and they were fine. I guess I should check power to the camshaft sensors and crankshaft sensors next.

Hopefully its not a plugged oil filter or galley and just the sensors. Electrical or ECM is another possibility.

Rusty · 04-18-2021, 06:29 PM

18 psi at an idle is low. Most are around 35 psi. Your galley gaskets might be leaking.

future370zzz · 04-18-2021, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

18 psi at an idle is low. Most are around 35 psi. Your galley gaskets might be leaking.

You're scaring me man. The service manual says idle oil pressure minimum is 98 kpa or about 14 psi and at 2000 rpm it's min. 42 psi at 176F.

Maybe you have your guage at a different spot but I hooked a pressure guage tester to the stock low oil pressure sensor that's tapped to the pan near the oil temp sensor.

The gallery gasket issue is in the back of my mind though. I hope it's not this dreaded issue.

redondoaveb · 04-18-2021, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by future370zzz

You're scaring me man. The service manual says idle oil pressure minimum is 98 kpa or about 14 psi and at 2000 rpm it's min. 42 psi at 176F.

Maybe you have your guage at a different spot but I hooked a pressure guage tester to the stock low oil pressure sensor that's tapped to the pan near the oil temp sensor.

The gallery gasket issue is in the back of my mind though. I hope it's not this dreaded issue.

According to my tuner, anything above 15 psi at idle when warmed up is fine

Rusty · 04-18-2021, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by future370zzz

You're scaring me man. The service manual says idle oil pressure minimum is 98 kpa or about 14 psi and at 2000 rpm it's min. 42 psi at 176F.

Maybe you have your guage at a different spot but I hooked a pressure guage tester to the stock low oil pressure sensor that's tapped to the pan near the oil temp sensor.

The gallery gasket issue is in the back of my mind though. I hope it's not this dreaded issue.

Mine is in the same spot as yours's.

Knio · 04-19-2021, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by future370zzz

Any updates to your situation?

My 2010 just threw a P0011 code and I limped home. Oil was low just like you. Got an oil change and checked the oil pressure (fine - 18psi @ 175F). Changed the VVT intake solenoids. Problems remains. Going to change out the camshaft and maybe the crankshaft sensors. Tested power to the VVT solenoid sensors and they were fine. I guess I should check power to the camshaft sensors and crankshaft sensors next.

Hopefully its not a plugged oil filter or galley and just the sensors. Electrical or ECM is another possibility.

If you don't have extra sensors already or want to check the timing without opening the timing covers, I figured out a way to debug with a cheap scope (~$100 on amazon), see: P0340 tldr I did have a bad cam phaser and got it all fixed.

PM me if you need any help

future370zzz · 04-23-2021, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knio

If you don't have extra sensors already or want to check the timing without opening the timing covers, I figured out a way to debug with a cheap scope (~$100 on amazon), see: P0340 tldr I did have a bad cam phaser and got it all fixed.

PM me if you need any help

Thanks, I'll look into this. I replaced the cam sensors, same P0011 code. I have a replacement crankshaft sensor, don't know if I should just go ahead and replace that.

I'm not looking forward to all the engine work. I'm probably going to take it into Nissan for them to check it out first. All of this because I didn't check the engine oil for a few weeks.

JARblue · 04-24-2021, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by future370zzz

All of this because I didn't check the engine oil for a few weeks.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that failing to pull the dipstick to check the oil for a few weeks is not the root cause of your issues. GLWRepairs

americanzero · 10-06-2022, 08:56 AM

How many miles were on the car when this happened?
Having the same issues on mine and I'm 77k.
I'm not hearing any clicking but when i start up after thinking I've fixed it sometimes it'll start right up and other times it wont at all and the car will shake.
I've replaced the cam sensors, coil packs and have tested the solenoids. Solenoids have tested good but going to replace them anyways. Ive got them coming in the next few days.
I've talked to a few Nissan mechanics and they said they would be surprised that the timing was actually off with that mileage.
I keep hearing about checking/replacing filters behind the timing covers. That'll be next before I send it in.

Knio · 10-07-2022, 02:33 AM

mine was about 40-50k but I don’t think the mileage was really important as it coincided with a low oil / no oil pressure event. I have a thread somewhere showing how you can easily confirm/deny if its the phasers by measuring the sensor outputs or opening the covers and taking pictures

04-18-2021, 06:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rusty A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 70 Posts: 35,571 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684440	18 psi at an idle is low. Most are around 35 psi. Your galley gaskets might be leaking. Optimiser likes this. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

10-07-2022, 02:33 AM	#11 (permalink)
Knio Base Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Palo Alto, CA Posts: 141 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 16	mine was about 40-50k but I don’t think the mileage was really important as it coincided with a low oil / no oil pressure event. I have a thread somewhere showing how you can easily confirm/deny if its the phasers by measuring the sensor outputs or opening the covers and taking pictures sx moneypit likes this.

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10-06-2022, 08:56 AM	#10 (permalink)
americanzero Base Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Saint Charles, MO Posts: 1 Drives: 2013 370z Nismo Rep Power: 8	How many miles were on the car when this happened? Having the same issues on mine and I'm 77k. I'm not hearing any clicking but when i start up after thinking I've fixed it sometimes it'll start right up and other times it wont at all and the car will shake. I've replaced the cam sensors, coil packs and have tested the solenoids. Solenoids have tested good but going to replace them anyways. Ive got them coming in the next few days. I've talked to a few Nissan mechanics and they said they would be surprised that the timing was actually off with that mileage. I keep hearing about checking/replacing filters behind the timing covers. That'll be next before I send it in.