Car randomly died & code P0021 - HELP :(
 

Hi all, so I purchased my 2009 370z 6MT a few months ago, have driven it about 1500 miles since (currently at 95k miles). Took the car to the Nissan dealer where it was serviced, and had the service manager talk to me about the car and how it was literally mechanically perfect. So everything seemed great. Fast forward to now and the car randomly died on me while I was driving.

I did an oil change a couple days before and only 1.5 quarts came out. Yes, I know.. I should have checked sooner. I was infatuated with the car and mistakenly took the word of the Nissan service manager.
Few days later I noticed some power loss. Very slight, it was about maybe 10% slower, but noticeable. Thought it might be bad fuel, so I decided to just wait until I empty the tank and refuel. The next day I start hearing some loud rattle sound from the engine bay. That same day, my AC stopped working and only blew hot air for a couple of minutes, so I figured it was maybe some AC fan or a condenser, kept driving. Was going to check it out that weekend.

While was driving I noticed the rattle changed with the RPM's (uh-oh). I was a decent distance from home but on my way back when the car suddenly died on me as I stopped at an intersection. Wouldn't start, would barely even crank once. Had to get it towed back home.

Took out the code reader and I got the code for P0021 for "Camshaft position - timing over-advanced or system performance bank 2". After some research, some people with this code had their gallery gasket blow (or galley - idk lol).
To be honest, I'm really not sure what it is. I was wondering if anyone had experienced a similar issue and could give me some pointers. At this point I'm pretty much expecting that swapping the engine will be cheaper than any repair lol.

Here's a sound clip of the rattle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1p6...ature=youtu.be
Here's a sound clip of me trying to start the car: https://youtu.be/iQcN7dbMup0

Really worried and stressed out at the moment..
Thanks a bunch in advance.

The link to the sound clip of the rattle doesn't work.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Try it now? I changed it and it works for me now.

Just listened to both, doesn’t sound good & if your battery isn’t weak...sounds like it’s trying to lock up or hydra-lock :icon14:

The ticking sounds like something coming in contact with a light weight metal part (eg, a shield). Check belt path and other moving parts.

When you try to start, that sounds like a weak battery to me. The battery appears to take a charge (shows good volts) and may power some accessories but cannot maintain the current flow required to turn the engine over.

When we charge the battery it won’t start. Left it for a while and still wont turn on. Plus that wouldn’t explain the P0021 code.

Try jump starting or using a known good battery.

A bad battery can cause all sorts of bogus PIDs.

A great rule of thumb... if the current battery is more than 3 years old, replace it. While some people have gotten great battery life out of a battery, they are the exception and not the rule. It sounds to me like a bad battery, like South Ark said. After you get the car running, verify alternator output voltage per the FSM (link in my sig & in South Ark's). I would replace serpentine belt, tensioner & all idler pulleys. Good luck.:tiphat:

P0021 code won't prevent the car from starting. Cam sensors control how the car runs, bad crank sensors will prevent the car from starting, along with bad starters and bad batteries.

Actually a P0021 will definitely cause a crank/no start condition.. now here’s what you need to know, if you have a P0021 and your car does not start but it cranks normally unplug bank two cam sensor, Attempt to start your car again after like the about the 3rd crank it will start.

Good to know. It's been more than a few years since I had to work on cars for a living, so obviously things change. Thanks for the info INF.. :tiphat: