jasonmp3

SWEET MERCIFUL CRAP, I HOPE DIDNT SCREW UP MY ENGINE!!

I recently got rid of my old 2nd car (BMW 318is) and bought a 2001 audi A4 1.8T (b5) with 150k miles 3 weeks ago 07/22/10.

The car was in good shape except it made a loud noise (diesel engine sound) when idling on a warm engine, I pulled the codes and I got 2 errors:

P1340 - Crankshaft-/Camshaft Pos.Sens.Signals Out of Sequence
P0011 - camshaft position timing over advanced

I bought a new Camshaft Sensor and the P1340 was cleared.
The P0011 lead me to believe that the cam chain tensioner was bad.

Here is where the trouble starts.
I removed the valve cover, set the cams to TDC, remove the old tensioner (the plastic on it was broken), and installed a new one.

(HINDSIGHT MISTAKE) I believe I positioned the links on the cam chain wrong, because in the picture I took it looks like 15 links between the 2 points instead of 16.
I gave the pulleys a few turns with my breaker bar and it moved smoothly. I started the engine and it started normally but stops after 4 seconds. I pull the codes (P0011 cleared) and I get:

P0340 - CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR ”A”CIRCUIT

I looked online and I find the diagram specifying the 16 links. I compare the diagram to the pic I took, the I remove the valve cover again and set the chain correctly.

diagram


My chain after first change.


I started up the car and now it runs extremely rough, and idles really low, and I got more codes:

P0340 CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR ”A”CIRCUIT
P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P0302 Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
P0303 Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
P0304 Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected

I'm hoping that the timing belt is off a tooth or something, but is it possible that I screwed up my engine / bent my valves?
I also changed my spark plugs (had oil on them) but I still have the misfire codes.
(note: I assumed the timing was correct so I only check TDC on the cams )

I read on this forum that this engine wont run with bent valves, I hope for my sake this is true.
I'm currently gearing up for a compression test and changing the timing belt this weekend.

Thanks in advance for any help.

AudiMick

I think it is unlikely that you bent valves if you are only 1 or 2 teeth off.

It sounds like you just need to redo timing. Make sure everything is as it should be.

I would do a leak-down test rather than a compression test. Less destructive as you don't need to use the starter.

Also check TDC (use a long screwdriver) against the crankshaft pulley. I saw a mispositioned pulley on an Audi A4 V6 when we were chasing a problem like this a few years ago.

Good luck.

kenny (dremel)

You're most likely off a tooth, the chain holds tension via oil pressure. If you take the VC off after setting at TDC, you'll likely see you're off. Went through the same thing. Engine's fine, but you can do a compression test if you're paranoid. At 150k and just buying the car, it's probably not a bad idea anyway.

jasonmp3

I just checked and the belt is off by 2 teeth. Im in the process of chaining it now. Ill let yall know how it goes.

jasonmp3

Update:
Ok, since I was correcting the timing I went ahead and changed the timing belt, water pump, AC compressor (wasn't working), all the belts, all the o rings, and the alternator.

I'm still getting the same errors for the camshaft sensor and misfires.

I figured its either Im not getting compression, the coils or wires are bad, the spark plugs are bad, Im not getting any fuel, or not getting any air.

I changed all the plugs, no change.

I tested to see if I have proper compression, I do, no change.

I switched the coils around and the codes stayed the same, no change.

I've been reading around and thought it might be the ICM (ignition control module), And I cant seem to find it..........
The car has some slight mods to it however where can the icm be?
It's not over the air-filter. Im thinking since the area seems modified and Ive been moving stuff around a loose wire around might be my problem.
I just noticed this last night any thoughts?

sorry for the crappy pic.

jasonmp3

I did a compression test I got around 140 +-2 for all, so at least I know its not messed up.

I rechecked the cam chain and its was off by one tooth in the other direction, I over compensated when I corrected the initial problem

before


after


comparison


So now the P0340 code is cleared .
Also the trimming is perfectly lined up.

But .......

I'm still getting these codes:

P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P0302 Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
P0303 Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
P0304 Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected

I'm thinking that it might be my spark plugs for 3 reasons.
1. I bought 3 Bosch platnum 2 plugs (the last 3 in the store).
I replaced 3 of the plugs leaving 1 original (replace when the in stock), Im not getting a P0301 error only 02 03 and 04.

2. I got some oil into the plug chamber when removing the valve cover.

3. The plugs and the chain tensioner are the only things it changed before I got the codes.

Is it possible that I got the wrong type spark plugs for my car (clerk gave me the plugs for a different car)?

And if that's the case can the wrong plugs cause such misfires?

I drove the car around and its very sluggish, I could floor it and it will take 2 seconds to respond, and when it does its only going 10 mph.
Prior to me changing anything it was quick as a rabbit.

I've also noticed that if I clear the codes and keep the engine at over 2000 rpms I got no codes. However if I let it idle (under 1000 rpm) it idles rough and I get the misfire codes sometimes I even get a P0333 (knock sensor error).

pb1bg

Should of went to another shop and purchased 4 at the same time. You could have bad plugs but that probably isn't the case. This is just an idea but your computer could be thrown off since you have two different plugs in the engine. It is just a thought but I am not sure.

Pete@ECSTuning

1st) You don't have an ICM on your 2001 - it is built into the coil packs on the AWM so you can rest easy there.
2nd) If you have a multiple random misfire I'd guess something dirtied up your MAF sensor through all your changing of tensioners and belts. Heck, is it plugged in still?!
2rd) Have you cleared your codes since the misfires popped up and you straightened everything out?

jasonmp3

OK
Here is where I stand.

Just to be sure I checked my maf it was extremely clean.
I cleared the codes and started the car without it, it still ran like crap and gave me a MAF circuit error.
So I am dismissing that as a possible misfire problem.

I then went to Autozone and got 8 Autolite-Platinum/Spark Plugs they were out of Ngk-Laser-Platinum/Spark Plug in the area. I also got 4 duralast ignition coils.

The plugs the car came with had .028 gaps so I changed 4 of the plugs to .028 and gave it a try. Still ran like crap.
I tried the stock gap. It actually ran slightly better as far as idling over 1000 rmp is concerned but still ran like crap.
Note: the plugs that I originally installed are BLACK and fouled up. Since I got my first misfire code I have not had the car running more that 15 mins. I had the car running for only about 5 mins with those plugs.

I then cleared the misfire codes and ran the engine with the new coils with both sets of plugs, and it still runs like crap.

Im still getting the P03000 # codes and Mil and the EPC lights still comes on.

The only things I can think now is the catalytic converter is clogged, or the computer is messed up, perhaps something with the throttle body (since the EPC light come on after a while) not delivering air since there is so much carbon buildup on the plugs.

Man I like this Audi a lot but man I'm starting to miss my old BMW, I guess Im more familuar.
I dont mind buying new parts, its will mean less problems and $$ for me down the road but
this whole thing is confusing because literally the car ran fine since I bought it, I literally only changed the tensioner and plugs then this problem happened, I must have loosened something [headbang], I also changed the camshaft sensor prior to all this and cleared it (that it ran fine even with the P1340 code, and I put like 100 miles on it)

Any Ideas.
I think Im going to mess around with the throttle body and see what happens.

jasonmp3

OK
Here is where I stand.

Just to be sure I checked my maf it was extremely clean.
I cleared the codes and started the car without it, it still ran like crap and gave me a MAF circuit error.
So I am dismissing that as a possible misfire problem.

I then went to Autozone and got 8 Autolite-Platinum/Spark Plugs they were out of Ngk-Laser-Platinum/Spark Plug in the area. I also got 4 duralast ignition coils.

The plugs the car came with had .028 gaps so I changed 4 of the plugs to .028 and gave it a try. Still ran like crap.
I tried the stock gap. It actually ran slightly better as far as idling over 1000 rmp is concerned but still ran like crap.
Note: the plugs that I originally installed are BLACK and fouled up. Since I got my first misfire code I have not had the car running more that 15 mins. I had the car running for only about 5 mins with those plugs.

I then cleared the misfire codes and ran the engine with the new coils with both sets of plugs, and it still runs like crap.

Im still getting the P03000 # codes and Mil and the EPC lights still comes on.

The only things I can think now is the catalytic converter is clogged, or the computer is messed up, perhaps something with the throttle body (since the EPC light come on after a while) not delivering air since there is so much carbon buildup on the plugs.

Man I like this Audi a lot but man I'm starting to miss my old BMW, I guess Im more familuar.
I dont mind buying new parts, its will mean less problems and $$ for me down the road but
this whole thing is confusing because literally the car ran fine since I bought it, I literally only changed the tensioner and plugs then this problem happened, I must have loosened something , I also changed the camshaft sensor prior to all this and cleared it (that it ran fine even with the P1340 code, and I put like 100 miles on it)

Any Ideas.
I think Im going to mess around with the throttle body and see what happens.