Falcor Posted July 2 Share Posted July 2 As you all know I had the almost 6 month fiasco with the catalytic converter on my GT. Got that buttoned up about a week ago, and then on Thursday the P0018 code popped up. I cleared it with the AP and googled it: Crank Position - Intake Cam 2 (LH) Position Correlation. There doesn't seem to be a concrete culprit, but here is what I have found so far: Dirty oil Crankshaft sensor Camshaft sensor Oil control valve With that being said, it has been 6 months since the oil was changed (2,000 miles) and it has set with the front up on jackstands for 1 1/2 months. I know it's a longshot, but would changing the oil have any chance on fixing this? I really don't want to start playing the "change every sensor one at a time game" again. Also, AVCS on the AP agree across both sides. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plastixx Posted July 2 Share Posted July 2 Since you're only getting P0018, I would first try swapping the the oil controls valves to see if the code changes to P0016. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcor Posted July 2 Author Share Posted July 2 I went ahead and ordered a new OCV. It can't hurt to have a new one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plastixx Posted July 2 Share Posted July 2 If it turns out to be the OCV, I would do an engine flush using BG EPR (BG109). If you haven't used it before, it's really amazing stuff, and I'm extremely skeptical when it comes to "miracles in a bottle/can". The only other such product in my vehicle repair arsenal is Red Line 60103 for the fuel system side of things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcor Posted July 7 Author Share Posted July 7 (edited) Changed out the OCV today. Decided while it was "exposed" that I would swap in new plugs since it was due for it's 120k maintenance. Took it on a test drive and so far so good, no code. During the test drive a friend brought over his 2015 C7 and asked if I wanted to drive it. Edited July 7 by Falcor 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcor Posted July 8 Author Share Posted July 8 I spoke too soon. P0018 is back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plastixx Posted July 8 Share Posted July 8 Eh, that's why I suggested swapping sides before throwing parts at it. Just to make sure though, it was the drivers side that you replaced, correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcor Posted July 8 Author Share Posted July 8 5 hours ago, Plastixx said: Eh, that's why I suggested swapping sides before throwing parts at it. Just to make sure though, it was the drivers side that you replaced, correct? Yes, replaced the driver’s side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcor Posted July 8 Author Share Posted July 8 The next likely sensor seems to be the camshaft intake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plastixx Posted July 8 Share Posted July 8 Could be a blockage in one of the banjo fittings for the OCV, a blocked AVCS screen, faulty AVCS gear, etc. I think it's unlikely to be the cam sensor. Not difficult to check the waveform with a scope though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcor Posted July 8 Author Share Posted July 8 I’ll have to look up the banjo fittings, ect. Never messed with those before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcor Posted July 12 Author Share Posted July 12 So, looks like the banjo fitting with the filter/screen is behind the rear section of the timing cover. To remove it you have to remove the cam gears. I really hope the flush cleans things out. I'm doing the oil flush recommendation from the shop manual (drain and refill with new filter, run for 5 min, then drain and refill again with new filter). If this doesn't fix it, then I'm going to take it in since it's more than I'm willing to do myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plastixx Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 (edited) Man, I really suggest using BG EPR with that flush. When I bought my Legacy, I did a BG EPR flush using fresh oil (drain old oil, flush with EPR and cheap oil+filter, then change again using quality oil+filter). The oil that came out with the flush looked like it had been in there for 10,000 miles, even though it was only a few hours. The instructions say to run it for 10 minutes at 1,200 RPM, but I drive around with it in for however long I drive that day (granny driving with low RPM). I do a once a year oil change that ends up being around 7-8k miles. Engine just went over 100k and I only need to add half a quart of oil between changes. Only needing a single 5 quart jug for the year is nice. Edited July 12 by Plastixx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcor Posted July 12 Author Share Posted July 12 (edited) Is this the stuff? https://a.co/d/cCO9i5D Edited July 12 by Falcor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plastixx Posted July 12 Share Posted July 12 Yes. BG sells their products exclusively to car dealerships and independent repair shops, so you have to buy through third party online (Amazon, ebay, walmart, etc). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcor Posted July 13 Author Share Posted July 13 You drive a hard bargain. I just ordered a can of it. Should be here Wednesday. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcor Posted July 15 Author Share Posted July 15 I don't think I mentioned it, but I did monitor the AVCS with the AP. Both sides are within spec (operating angle 0° and duty output ~10% at idle). I have a friend who has used BG's products (not EPR) and seems to like them. That helps put me at ease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plastixx Posted July 15 Share Posted July 15 Idle won't tell you much if there's a slight oil restriction. All anything above 0° at idle would tell you is that an OCV or AVCS gear might be stuck (or some other serious mechanical issue). Probably need to log things while driving. Don't get your hopes up that the EPR will do anything for the problem. It's a relatively inexpensive shot in the dark, and I'm sure the engine could use a cleaning anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcor Posted July 18 Author Share Posted July 18 I did the flush last night. Even during the time the car was running with the EPR the idle was much smoother. Time will tell how much good it did. I am hopeful though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Infosecdad Posted July 18 Share Posted July 18 I'm planning to flush with it this weekend, curious to see what it does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcor Posted July 18 Author Share Posted July 18 Car ran smooth today, but the code came back. I'm at a loss now. Since I am not willing to tear apart the timing belt area of the car to further diagnose, now planning to take it in to Subaru. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcor Posted July 29 Author Share Posted July 29 Tried something I pretty much knew would not work. I unmarried the AP to see if that would keep the code from popping up. Didn't work. Since it will be September before I can take it in, I was wanting to try a couple things. How hard is it to swap the cam sensors side to side? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcor Posted August 7 Author Share Posted August 7 No real updates, but resetting the ECU every day now. Very much looking forward to getting it fixed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creep_nu Posted August 7 Share Posted August 7 do you have a local indy subaru shop you can take it to instead? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcor Posted August 7 Author Share Posted August 7 Closest is about 1hr 45min away in Springfield, MO. We are in a dead zone for Subarus. The closest dealer is 45 min away in Joplin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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