Back on the road again...... Isn't there a song called that.
Well...... we finished the job this morning just before mid day, cleared all the previous codes that had caused us to half remove the engine again, took if for a drive (About ten miles) ran perfectly, really strong on torque and power.
So, I took it home, gave it a really quick wash and then went for a long drive, steady for about the first ten miles and then gave it a little more and gradually started to increase the rpm further up the range.
Suddenly when accelerating hard in third gear I felt the engine flutter and hesitate, and a loss of power. So I slowed down a little and pulled into a service station, got out my little VAGSCANNER and checked if I had any fault codes...... Sure Enough : 16405 bank 2 camshaft a (intake) p0021-002 <beep> setpoint not reached (over advanced) mil.
F-ck.....Sh-t..... and a lot worse...... So I cleared the code and started on a very disappointing drive home, BUT suddenly after driving for about five minutes and deliberately driving on and off the throttle, full power returned and she responded perfectly to the throttle. So I decided not to go home but continued on my driver for another hour in all types of roads and traffic, clocking up over 50 miles...... Without any further problems. Arrived home, checked everything physically, ran another scan, NO Fault codes at all. Went for another thirty minute drive, no problems at all, pulling really strong and just wanting to go.
Oh I'm hoping whatever it is has sorted it's self out.
I did wonder if the pistons in the actuator/solenoid could be a little tight, with it being brand new and maybe now they're bedding in. This fault code is caused by the variable timing not retarding sufficiently which is controlled by the ECU sending a signal to the electronic timing unit via the actuator/solenoid. The actuator/solenoid has a piston in it which the signal causes to move a piston in the actuator/solenoid (The part which has the wire coming from it), allowing oil to flow under pressure which releases the locking pin in the mechanical adjuster allowing it to adjust the variable timing. We did have a faulty unit supplied initially, with exactly the same fault code. When we tested it the piston was jamming in the solenoid. Now it's been replaced the new solenoid has had this one single hiccup, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed it was a one off.
I'm certainly hoping so.
Just going to let the car cool down so I can start it from cold and go for another run tonight.
So, for the last sixty miles she's running perfect, after that one hiccup....... Keeping my fingers crossed and it is so nice to have no timing chain rattle on cold or warm start up.
Here's a few pics of today, back on the road at long last. Haven't really given it a good clean yet, but what the hell.
I'll keep you informed...........
: ) to download JHM's Tune.
