Code P0012 How serious is this?

[BryMFL]

I'm 800 miles from home and got an engine light on. I had Advanced check it and they gave me: Code P0012" Camshaft Position Actuator A-Bank 1 Timing over Retard". I called Audi service and they said something about the camshaft tensioner chain was loose. How bad is this and is it something I can fix? I did the entire timing belt/water pump service back in Spring time so I should be able to get this. Please feel free to put in your two cents. Thanks

[fitch303]

You could bend a valve(s) I wouldn't drive it until it's fixed. Why on gods earth did Audi use a slave setup for the cams?

[old guy]

The purpose of the camshaft adjuster is to advance the intake valve opening during a cold start. This allows for the intake to scavenge more of the exhaust gasses and generate heat in the intake faster, thus reducing emissions. This is an integral part of the 1.8T meeting the ULEV standards. If the cam adjuster doesn't work properly the intake cam will not advance on a cold start and you will get a code P0012. After the car is up to temperature the intake cam returns to its normal operating offset. For a more detailed explanation read section 2.1.3Clicky click I would recommend just resetting the code and see if it comes back. As long as you are not hearing a lot of cam chain rattle your car should be OK to drive.

Cheers!

[BryMFL]

Thanks Old Guy, I believe I already have chain rattle or something. At idle some is rattling but it goes away after about 1000-1200rpm's. There don't seem to be any other problems with the car as of now. I have driven about 300 miles since the check light came on and nothing has changed except the rattle starting. What parts am I looking at having to replace and how bad is the job?

[old guy]

Here is a DIY for replacing the cam chain tensioner. It is for a Passat but the procedure is essentially the same.Clicky click. Here is another one. Clicky click Unfortunately the part is rather expensive. Clicky click

[BryMFL]

So hands down this is the only thing possible for it to be? Could I have a bent valve? While I'm in there for this job is there anything else I should do as a preventative maintenance thing?

[old guy]

So hands down this is the only thing possible for it to be? Could I have a bent valve? While I'm in there for this job is there anything else I should do as a preventative maintenance thing?

I doubt you have a bent valve if your motor appears to be running OK. What you are describing (rattling accompanied with the P0012) is a pretty strong indication of a problem with the cam adjuster. While you are in there you obviously will replace the front and rear cam seals along with the valve cover gasket. That is really about it.

Good luck!

[BryMFL]

Got it done today. Pretty simple install took me about 5 hours (Yes I know I'm slow). Have to wait till tomorrow to run it, but it started fine. I'll give an update after tomorrow....well on second thought I have to drive 1200 miles over the next 5 days so I'll do it afterward.

[old guy]

Got it done today. Pretty simple install took me about 5 hours (Yes I know I'm slow). Have to wait till tomorrow to run it, but it started fine. I'll give an update after tomorrow....well on second thought I have to drive 1200 miles over the next 5 days so I'll do it afterward.

Nice job! You just saved yourself hundreds of $$$!!

[Hotel Guy]

So whats the official outcome? I believe I have this same issue (tin-like rattle from 2k-3k rpms) and was told that its most likely the Cam Chain Tensioner. I was also told that this would be approximately $1,900 to fix at a local european service store. Anyone have any input?

What was your total cost for the DIY? Difficulty on a scale of 1-10?

[turboSpartan]

Hell yea Hotel Guy.... I'm a Spartan Alum


(sorry for the thread jacking)

[BryMFL]

So whats the official outcome? I believe I have this same issue (tin-like rattle from 2k-3k rpms) and was told that its most likely the Cam Chain Tensioner. I was also told that this would be approximately $1,900 to fix at a local european service store. Anyone have any input?

What was your total cost for the DIY? Difficulty on a scale of 1-10?

My cost was about $550 in parts and the difficulty level was probably about an 5 or 6. I found a website that carried the chain tensioner for $350 after buying it for $460 http://www.mjmautohaus.com/catalog/p...oducts_id=2180

[uaslavik]

I have recently changed my chain tencioner and right after I did it the noice went away. However, i keep on getting the code p0012. I reset it but it came back on again after making a 10 mile trip. What can it be? Where should I try to troubleshoot?

[silverd2]

You could bend a valve(s) I wouldn't drive it until it's fixed. Why on gods earth did Audi use a slave setup for the cams?

You could NOT bend a valve. The range of adjustment on a cam adjuster (even a failed one) does not reach that point at either end of it's travel...it makes advances and retards of the intake cam in relation to the exhaust cam well within mechanical limits of piston clears....not the effect of T-belt breaking.

[silverd2]

The purpose of the camshaft adjuster is to advance the intake valve opening during a cold start. This allows for the intake to scavenge more of the exhaust gasses and generate heat in the intake faster, thus reducing emissions. This is an integral part of the 1.8T meeting the ULEV standards. If the cam adjuster doesn't work properly the intake cam will not advance on a cold start and you will get a code P0012. After the car is up to temperature the intake cam returns to its normal operating offset. For a more detailed explanation read section 2.1.3 (Clicky click). I would recommend just resetting the code and see if it comes back. As long as you are not hearing a lot of cam chain rattle your car should be OK to drive.

Cheers!

Very odd system, cosidering Audi V6 and V8 engines with VVT start locked in the most retarded cam position, until more oil pressure is built up...then only advances slightly. Max advance is used under heavy torque at the higher rpms, to help maintain max torque curve...much like ignition timing advances as rpms go up, all the way back to early vacuum advance point ignition distibutors, which started the car at maximum spark retard position (they would not even start if timing was a little to advanced).
I can inder stand wht Audi had to fight rough running at such advanced settings on the 1.8T system.

[old guy]

Fixed the link( from the 2 year old post): Clicky click Read section 2.1.3.

cheers!

[juttin3]

Can you change the cam seals without any special tools? I know they came with timing belt kit but never changed them. If you definately need a tool do you know which one. Not for b6 but for a b5 1.8 aeb with 296k miles

[diagnosticator]

The cam chain wears too. Should be changed at the same time as the VVT adjuster/tensioner.

[tamaneri]

i have a weird rattle, but the heck could i know if it's the cam chain tensioner?

[mac11]

I've this same code pop up on me but I do not hear any chain rattle. Are there any other possibilities?

[Kodymfk]

I got this code after replacing a cam chain tensioner. It was fine to begin with, just had a horrible tensioner gasket leak and it looked worn so I replaced it with a cheap cam chain tensioner on ebay (car has 202000miles, figured why buy expsensive. its for my winter beater a4). May just swap new guides off ebay one onto older one and reinstall the old one. I assume it may have something to do with it only costing $80 lolz.

[old guy]

I got this code after replacing a cam chain tensioner. It was fine to begin with, just had a horrible tensioner gasket leak and it looked worn so I replaced it with a cheap cam chain tensioner on ebay (car has 202000miles, figured why buy expsensive. its for my winter beater a4). May just swap new guides off ebay one onto older one and reinstall the old one. I assume it may have something to do with it only costing $80 lolz.

Unfortunately that seem to be a common theme lately. Aftermarket cam tensioners going out rather quickly.

[CaribGrunt]

I got a cam shaft timing code, abnoxious rattle at idle. Going to mechanic tomorrow. Hope it's not too expensive, it's my daily driver.