P0343..Need help

[Animus]

B7 A4, stg III APR kit. I was coasting along when my car engine died. It died slowly, slowing down from about 50--. So I pulled over, turned it off and noticed it had thrown a code. I checked the code and it was P0343. I searched the forums, cleared the code and tried starting. Car seemed to turn over, but wouldn't start. I towed it into my driveway and pulled off the cam cover expecting to see bits and pieces, but the timing belt is intact. I'm trying to take off the bumper, to take off the full cam cover and check the cam position sensor, or if the timing belt jumped a tooth? Previous owner had the cam follower done around 145k. I'm currently at 175k. I'm not sure what to check next and wanted advice, before i ripped the entire engine apart, only to find out it was something simple.

[PDX04a4]

The cam cover and belt.....? Do you mean the timing belt? If you are APR Stage 3 30k miles is quite a long time go to on a cam follower, I would definitely check that ASAP.

[Animus]

The cam cover and belt.....? Do you mean the timing belt? If you are APR Stage 3 30k miles is quite a long time go to on a cam follower, I would definitely check that ASAP.

yes, I removed the cam cover and checked the timing belt. After doing some research i'm worried about the rear chain. I don't know if previous owner fixed this or not. Even though stage III, i stay out of boost (shifting b4 3000 rpm) normally to try get 30mpg..I'll check the cam follower..

[mec]

yes, I removed the cam cover and checked the timing belt. After doing some research i'm worried about the rear chain. I don't know if previous owner fixed this or not. Even though stage III, i stay out of boost (shifting b4 3000 rpm) normally to try get 30mpg..I'll check the cam follower..
your cam sensor might have died too. If you have acccess to a friends b7, borrow their cam sensor and see if it fixes the issue. Check the wiring that leads to that sensor as well, and if all else fails then it must be that the timing belt skipped.

[Animus]

your cam sensor might have died too. If you have acccess to a friends b7, borrow their cam sensor and see if it fixes the issue. Check the wiring that leads to that sensor as well, and if all else fails then it must be that the timing belt skipped.

Thanks, I'll check that after the follower. I'll probably buy a sensor, as it sounds like its a good spare part to keep. I'm probably going to keep this car till it falls apart.

[Animus]

so i've been traveling, but got back last week. Pulled the car apart, checked timing belt and timing. Belt is ok. Timing is also ok. Both lines matched up on top crank shaft pulley and bottom dampener pulley. I changed the cam position sensor (see pics) and visually checked the wires, put it all back together and it still isn't starting. Seems to be turning over and trying to start, but won't. I cleared original P0343 code and no other code has come back. So I'm moved on to check/change the cam follower and now i'm stuck. It seems a previous owner stripped the banjo bolt and I can't get it out via the DYI. Anyone has any suggestions on how to get out the HPFP with the banjo bolt stripped? I don't think I can, but can I pull the 3, torx 30 bolts, and try unscrewing the HPFP from the banjo bolt while securing it with pliers? Do I have to complete pull apart engine to get a clear shot on getting out the stripped banjo bolt? Suggestions welcome.

https://picasaweb.google.com/112753390851467623657/20140729#6041651728527329826

https://picasaweb.google.com/112753390851467623657/20140729#6041651924222571506

[Animus]

so long story short, the rear cam chain broke. Pulled head no valves were damaged. Got the head re-done, redid rings and timing belt. Car is back up running...

[mtroxel]

Nice Animus. You got lucky!