Stranded, engine noise, P0011 & P0021

[rgk]

Five hours from my destination in Wyoming, I hear metallic engine noisr. I was worried it might be the dreaded power valve screws.

Checked trouble codes: Camshaft timing over-advanced.

Guys at O'Reilly's are being cool about me parked there and will let me work on the car.

The guy at the store says it might be a loose chain tensioner.

What now? How do I fix this?

[4xq]

Well, thats no fun. Hope you have made some progress on the issue since you posted.

The engine noise is a concern - it might be something internal as both sides seem to be affected. But I would try a couple of things first I guess.

Check this description for p0011: http://www.engine-codes.com/p0011_nissan.html

Also, look at this: http://www.clubfrontier.org/forums/f8/c ... fix-70306/

On the chance this is an electrical issue as per the engine codes link, try disconnecting both solenoids. This should disable intake valve timing advance. Reset codes and restart engine. You will get codes for the disconnected solenoids, but see if p0011 and p0021 come back. If they do not, test drive the truck for engine noise. You will be in limp mode with the solenoids disconnected.

If you have engine noise with the solenoids disconnected, you can try to localize the noise - use a stick and hold it on the engine block /heads / timing cover and see if you can find where it is loudest. Watch the engine fan!

Also, if you still have engine noise, read this link:http://www.justanswer.com/nissan/36qiz- ... p0021.html

See if Oreillys can use their scan tool and tell you what your ignition timing is at idle and see if they can do the checks in that link.

Hope that helps!

[rgk]

The car was burning oil and I was anticipating mountain driving, so I put in a quart of 20w-50 per my father-in-law's advice. When that burned up, I put in half a quart of 10w-40.

I read that incorrect oil can cause this code.

But the noise? I'm very worried about the noise.

I drained the oil. There were some 'sparkles' at the bottom of the pan, but nothing major.

Maybe put in 10w-30 tomorrow and check the timing?

I'm in Thermopolis, Wyoming with my wife and baby, and all our possessions in a trailer. All mechanics are closed until Tuesday.

[4xq]

Yep, see if the oil change helps. If not, try disconnecting the solenoids on both sides as I described above (leave the cam position sensors connected). If that works, it is something electrical.

If p0011 and p0021 codes come back with the solenoids disconnected, it pretty much confirms a mechanical issue since you have disabled intake valve advance by disconnecting the solenoids. So those codes should not appear.

That could be a timing chain tensioner as the Oreilly people suggested. You may have jumped a tooth on the timing chain in that case.

Ive seen a lot of Wyoming, but not Thermopolis. You may be getting a couple of days of unscheduled sightseeing. I'm out tomorrow until sometime in the middle of the afternoon, so I hope the Oreilly people can help you narrow it down. Show that last post to them and see if they can use their scanner to help.

Remember, the churches in those small towns can be pretty helpful if you get stuck and want to see something besides a motel room!

[4xq]

Sorry, I meant show them that last link I posted at justanswer.

[4xq]

Well, let us know what you found. Did you get lucky?

[rgk]

Sorry, I have been on the road. YES, I got very, very lucky!!

An oil change, half a bottle of seafoam in the crankcase, and ten minutes of driving around town (with a few heavy revvs) cured it completely. The consensus between friends is that it was a stuck lifter.

The trouble codes never returned. They may have come on if and when I ran low on oil.

I have been burning oil. The sound occurred when towing uphill at 70 mph, so I probably got some gunk burned in and around the lifter. Perhaps it was a clogged oil passage.

I towed the wife and trailer safely to my destination. I dodged a bullet, for sure. It was probably good, however, that I didn't continue driving with the engine in that state.

Everyone in the town of Thermopolis was very kind and helpful. I only had to stay one night.

I will definitely be doing my PCV and power valve screws this summer!!

Thanks, 4xq, for all your help and support.

[4xq]

Hey, that is great! Always hate to see a post that says "stranded". Especially with the wife and kid along.

I agree you were smart to stop and deal with the engine noise.

I guess you missed the Thermopolis Memorial Day Parade. I'm guessing you moved to western Wyoming?

[rgk]

Yep, we're spending the next five months in Yellowstone.