P0016 P0011 Low Power case study: Chevy Equinox - Part 1

The following case study turned out to be one of my favorite ones of the year so far. It was the perfect opportunity to use some high-tech tools and explore several different ways to determine the same problem. So put on your thinking caps and grab a notebook!
This 2010 Chevy Equinox is suffering from a low power complaint, and setting camshaft position and fuel pressure codes.
Let's see if these problems are related, and if we can definitively say what the heck is wrong with this Chevy!
Enjoy!
Ivan

[@mattanderson1831]

Would be a privilege to see how you work in person. You and Eric O are the only two yt'ers i can sit down and watch the whole vid

[@zfiddy]

LS swap it I dont watch tv anymore, its Eric and Ivan and thats all I need now haha, it used to be ScannerDanner aswell but his channel has plummeted south lately so got the flick lol

[@volvo09]

LS swap it my first Ivan vid was when he popped in with eric to work on that blue Kia... that was a good mechanical diag. I've been hooked since. KZbin is also my only means of video, I'd rather learn something on yt than watch the drivel that is on tv, and there is no way I'm paying for that shit either, so KZbin it is!

[@ericcorse]

LS I would agree but add one additional channel Robinsauto.

[@hawaiianf1504]

I got to say I have a few others I religiously watch but not many. Brian, Eric, Ivan, Eric, Big Steve and only a select few others. I learn way more from these folks than my brain cavity can take but I try anyhow.

[@mattanderson1831]

Very true. What channels are you referring to when you say Brian and Big steve?

[@MichaelMcNeilg]

Yup Eric and Ivan are awesome and I came home from work hoping for a new video and here it is. Thanks Ivan I learn something new from every video!!

[@bolognablake]

As an owner of a 2011 Equinox, I'm yelling check the timing chain guides at my screen. :)

[@RandallFlaggNY]

When I was in High School auto shop class back in the early 80's throttle snaps were called "Italian Tuneups."

[@302vettelife2]

As soon as I heard that thing crank I was thinking chain. I'll be interested to see part 2.

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

I always look forward to these! Standing by for part 2!

[@NewLevelAuto]

Triangle Diagnostics think we will see that pattern you showed me?

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

I'm sure we will! Though I think Ivan's getting his "chains rattled" a little harder than we were, lol!

[@NewLevelAuto]

Triangle Diagnostics oh no ... not chain puns . Where is your shop?

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

Henderson, NC.

[@kyhomegarage3430]

Ivan you just solved my long lasting dilemma how to change deg on picoscope from 360 deg to 720 deg double click on deg box. Thank you so much . Cheers

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

I figured that out on the fly ;)

[@themikeanic1535]

Love your vids man!!!! I would def have him put a new engine in. Oil consumption from cheap piston rings causing low and dirty oil destroys everything in its path! I would bet $1000 that the tear down will reveal stretched timing chain, broken guides, top chain guide worn to the metal, both geared actuators stuck from sludge, rod bearings worn heavy on the sides, #3 & 4 intake and exhaust cam bearings scored, scored cylinder walls and a small crack in the middle of the exhaust manifold.....and an internally failing/leaky high pressure pump.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Sounds like a load of scrap metal...truly disposable lol

[@charlesb8772]

Working on an 09 Pontiac Vibe (Toyota) with 2.4L, I am getting only one code p0016, and have checked wiring on all 1vvt solenoid, 1 crank and 1 cam sensor, and replaced vet solenoid, crank and cam sensor, clear codes and drive it a mile and bac, engine, and traction lights all pop up along with the p0016 code...frustrating as hell when I bought this thing for my daughter...awesome vid by the way..

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

Direct injection! It's about time! (I know they've been out for awhile.) Waiting to see what's up with this one. Great work so far!

[@mikeoneill7360]

I guess the only way to get homemade soup in this day in age is to do it yourself. Grandmas don't live forever.....Way to go Ivan.....

[@mikeeustice4452]

great video Ivan if I'm not mistaken gm has a tsb on that engine for the intake cam reluctor slipping on the cam

[@Blazer02LS]

I have a 40" "monitor" in the shop. Really great for wiring and manuals. Plus it's great to watch videos on.

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

And the older we get the bigger the screen!!

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

Nice Part I troubleshooting & Pico action. Your senses sometimes are your best diagnostic tools and it sounds like your ears are picking up a timing issue/compression loss on crank. Also check out TSB PIP5203C for the P0089 & P228D plus it concerns PN issues with intake camshafts, intake camshaft actuators. Waiting on Part II

[@joehomanick]

hey ivan i change those actuators all the time . sometimes they work perfect for months then boom the check engine light comes on ,, they stick cause of bad oil ,, CHANGE IT . thanks ivan

[@motorcyclesandridingfree2899]

At 179,000 miles may be better with a good low miles used engine as the cost of doing chains and actuators plus high pressure fuel pump will cost more than a good used one would cost. I'm fairly certain you have a timing issue looking at them patterns plus may have oil flow issues as well if it wasn't well maintained

[@hawaiianf1504]

Great Video Set. Fantastic Troubleshooting. Watching was a lot easier when your camera was steady. Was getting a bit more dizzier than I am normally. I kept looking over to count how many beers I finished but my beer stand was barren.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Yeah I know I noticed that too! I just get excited to show everything at once so it gets a bit shaky lol

[@hawaiianf1504]

LOLz... I bet. No matters thou cuz you always make really awesome vid's. You're one of the few I really enjoy watching. You Rock!!

[@SteveRobReviews]

Awesome buddy, I only have the 2 channel. I like a good puzzle that gets put together . Cheers

[@jsohn18436572]

STEVE ROB I regret just buying the 2 channel Pico all the time when watching these videos of Eric and Ivan using all 4 channels to monitor circuits troubleshooting intermittent problems.

[@SteveRobReviews]

I just call Eric or Ivan and ask them whats the problem and dont even get the pico out of the case any more. LOL

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Yeah once you try the 4-channel you can't go back to 2!

[@westtexas501]

I say stretched timing chain! ! causing HPFP to be out of wack.

[@HomieHektor]

Timing Chain issue for sure, maybe Cam Actuator Solenoids. I know the Timing chain guides break on these...

[@TheWaelabo02]

thank you

[@jsohn18436572]

I have a hard time seeing it being a timing chain issue being that the solenoid did not change the icmp to ecmp correlation when the pcm tried to command it at the end of the video. I suspect your compression test will show no issues and your problem will be in the hydraulic circuit that solenoid controls or the mechanical cam actuator itself. as always great video and looking forward to part 2.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

You won't be disappointed!

[@rhkips]

Whoa, this one's definitely a bit of a head-scratcher! Everything is pointing to a timing problem, except I can't believe the engine would even run with the cams 50+ degrees out of sync. I'll place my bets on a combination of things: An electrical problem causing a false reading of a mechanical anomaly. (That should be vague enough to cover most of the bases! LOL)

[@stigonutube]

do these have a timing chain as i can hear a rattle from 25,000km away down the interscreen.. lol looking forward to PT2

[@mattbrush2970]

Ivan, for future reference I think you could have used the solenoid test in to check the computer control of the solenoids with the engine off. In my Autel that's how it works, one test for the solenoids key on engine off the other for the whole system engine running. Will be watching to see if its an actuator or chain issue.

[@edforthewin8574]

I did it with the engine running and demanded it for advance and it would stay at 0 for my intake solenoid

[@brucecolonna2142]

Looks like you have a bad intake cam sprocket not returning to home position and now cam timing is off. I have taken cam/crank waveforms good and bad on these engines and it's hard to decipher because the crank synch doesn't really line up with any cam pattern. The computer shuts down the solenoid when it sees a problem with timing or circuit faults.

[@mustangguy1663]

Old video but appreciate your detailed diagnistic proceedures. GM vehicles suck hence why the LS may have a 30 year shelf life (GM: please don't go OHC because all that is trash). Great video

[@DAZ_SR]

Needs an exhaust VVT actuator ( I always do both), and the timing chain (primary) is stretched causing the P0016. I can hear the chain plain as day rattling. After it stretches it usually breaks the guide on the radiator side. Get the Coyes kit for around $100.

[@punker6506]

timing chains, pistons and possible short block due to cylinder scoring. also change the oil more than every 10000 miles on cheap oil.

[@punker6506]

forgot about the actuator solenoids

[@randy1ization]

do you copy and save the waveforms once u get the vehicles running good? you could build a data base and that would be cool. it seems viewing wave forms that you have no way of knowing if it is correct or not is a moot point. with the variable valve timing it seems to complicate the issue? could you pull the solenoid out and bench test it? most solenoids click when power applied.

[@wyattoneable]

I wouldn't have even known where to start. It's pretty cool to help out a fan. I'll be back for part two. I got to see what this is.

[@davidhollfelder9940]

I think Eric O had this same problem on a same/similar vehicle/engine. It turned out to be timing chain stretch/wear.

[@tinkerwest]

Camshaft actuator/phaser is likely suspect/problem...I've come across same issue a couple times on GM with 4.2 engines...Maybe the ones on 2.4 suck equally...Another time, found stuck actuator solenoid with varnish from neglect of regular oil changes...Good luck..

[@travisraber7416]

I have a wicked squeak sound then as i rev it turns to a horrible knocking/tapping sound. Sounds like it is coming from the timing side. When i pulled the valve cover the chain was super lose even after i replaced the tensioner and activated it. What could it be?

[@randy1ization]

do the new style fuel systems jump around like that on pressure gauge, I know they dont have A fuel return line, and its modulated by the fuel pump module.

[@todayintheshopbanksy5904]

Hi Ivan, could you do a video on how to build your home made pressure transducer

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

But I want to patent the design and sell it and make $$$!! The American dream!

[@jaidenitiss1651]

I have a 2011 Chevy equinox lt 2.4l With a p011 A camshaft position timing -over advanced or system performance bank 1. Prior to that I changed out my solenoids for the lack of power I was having on my rpms when accelerating it would loose full power now i switched out my camshaft sensor as well and today my truck actually turned off while driving turned back on but still the same code changed the oil changed the filter and still stalls while at a red light jerks back and forth help???

[@agentv3]

I'm putting my money on a stuck intake cam phaser. Looks like it's jammed all the way to it's maximum deflection and intruding on the compression stroke. I don't think it's a stretched chain or both cam position waveforms would be off roughly together. I'm not a mechanic, so I could be wrong, but that's my guess based on the weight of the evidence. Part 2 should be interesting.

[@LethalMercury]

When I saw the title of this video, I thought it was another water cooled fuse box, like the Acadia!

[@nuramoboy]

I came here to learn how to fix my P0011 car drinking fuel as a farm tractor I ended up revising for a physics exam.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

haha the automobile is a beautiful collection of physics and chemistry experiments :) Can't diagnose it if you don't know how it's supposed to work!

[@jessegandarilla4472]

Is there a part 2 for this video? I have the EXACT last 3 codes.

[@daveyio87]

sounds like the engine has a couple of broken timing chain guides... I bet there is only 2 quarts of oil in this engine... 10-13 equinox's have oil consumption problems due to the piston rings getting full of carbon and sticking. I've replaced heads due to the chain stretching so much and breaking every single rocker arm and bending valves, pistons and rings, timing chains and the high pressure fuel pump for it leaking gasoline into the oil on the 10-11 years. those solenoids go bad as well, it looks like someone has already changed them usually one has a grey connector on it.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Damn that sounds like a poor engine design overall haha

[@Chevy-ud1ec]

what brand name scanner are you using?Thanks Harvey

[@willemstreutgers1154]

At one of the troubleshoot codes it was mentioned "check for the correct oil type" is it possible that there is a clogged oilline somewhere. I flush the engine before every oil change and it helps often to get rid of rough running engines. Good luck Ivan I like your vids vey much.

[@fieldsofomagh]

Willem Streutgers What do you use to flush the engine with ?

[@willemstreutgers1154]

I use Forte Motor Flush

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

Judging by the date on your laptop you have probably already figured this one out, but If you need a known good cam-to-cam on this vehicle let me know, because I have one!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Ah cool, you can send me the file to [[e-mail]]. I'm curious to compare it to my own "known good". Is your waveform in the ShopStream Snap-On format?

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

It is a Verus capture, and just a snapshot, but it should be sufficient for direction. Sending now.

[@marcelomena78]

what kind of scanner or software U run on the pc?

[@zoidberg444]

This could be a doozy. I'm not sure what I'd suspect more. GM doesn't exactly have the best record with either timing chains or variable cams plus its a high mileage vehicle. Plus it could be an electrical or mechanical problem with the system.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Probably "all of the above" haha

[@sergiovelazquez579]

I have a good waveform from a 2011 equinox 2.4 I can send it to you if you like

[@cardude5323]

money is on a bad intake Camshaft actuator. GM vauxhall opel engines very prone to failure on VVT engines over here in UK. also is caused by sludge build up on the actuator solenoid. i believe they are ment to remove the mesh filters on the solenoids after the first service. as these are only ment to catch swarf.

[@cardude5323]

and GM did update these actuators recently improving oil return valve etc.

[@robertappleyard7053]

Ivan, I suspect the intake cam isn't advanced at all... I suspect it's lagging behind. Perhaps the 5 degrees on the exhaust cam is the 'minimum' advance and the intake cam isn't able to reach that position due to failed actuator or plugged oil passage??? 179K on that badboy, you either fix it cheap or eat your diagnostics.

[@chungaleta1234]

I would've started by doing an engine swap. LOL.... Lookking fordward to part 2.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Yup that would fix it for sure! xD

[@PistonBikers]

motoYam82 How Do You Hook The Verus To PC?

[@arrow251]

Some actuators run off oil pressure,so check the oil.

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

Next time you have a 2010 Equinox with these codes, check out GM TSB PIT5062C.

[@timramich]

Will you ever get to the point with these GM engines that once you see a DTC relating to these cam things that you just pop the timing cover and check timing instead of going through a scope diagnosis?

[@Big_AlMC]

No

[@timramich]

@Big Cheefa69.420 I wasn't asking you.

[@Big_AlMC]

@@timramich and no one was listening to you. Now back to your hole 🕳

[@noelhernandez5829]

Cam phaser actuator solenoid are known to go bad on those ecotec.

[@noelhernandez5829]

with the high milage of the engine it could be problem with timing chain, seen broken chain guides on some of those engines.

[@baxrok2.]

Interesting....

[@kevinschmitt4050]

the scanner doesn't allow you to actuate the vvt with codes because if there is a timing problem they don't want you to be able to command the computer to bend valves.

[@aliabdallah102]

Kevin Schmitt but I want to make the ecu destroy the engine.

[@aliabdallah102]

Kevin Schmitt but I want to make the ecu destroy the engine.

[@for2utube]

Blowing all 0's on the intake CMP parameters is suspicious. Engr's won't design in a pure, non-changing 0 and also a place to measure a 0.

[@SmittySmithsonite]

It's a GM, so my bet is on a mechanical problem with the cam. :) They seem to have forgotten how to build engines in the 21st century. I'm the "proud" owner of a oil burner that started at 50k miles. :(

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

It is a shame. GM made fantastic pushrod engines. Overhead cam...not so much lol

[@emtscythe3782]

VVT solenoids. Very common on these. They get clogged or the screens fall out. Replacements the screens are captured. They always throw the cam sensor codes. And most are stuck as hell. Change the VVT'ts and the oil, you'll probably find the screens in the oil pan.

[@Bereft777]

Timing chain service

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

I'm loading up the parts cannon.... :)

[@Bereft777]

motoYam82 not your style Ivan. LMAO

[@NCPDFSB]

chain and guides time????

[@jaywebb0113]

very possible... the terrains have an issue with the chains and the high pressure fuel pump which is driven off the cam lobe... tensioner are hydraulic and run off of oil pressure... lack of oil, condition of oil can ruin the tensioners, the actuators and could cause the high pressure fuel pump to act funny. there is a bulletin regarding this by GM to replaced the chain and guides, and the high pressure fuel pump but you still need to change the cmp actuator solenoid valves as well. im a drive ability tech for GM

[@MrPami9899]

why all those freaking sensor and solenoid in a cam!! that's ridiculous

[@ahmedshabazz1376]

🕵️‍♂️Not putting the right gas 92 up and not turning your car off will putting gas plus u need to do a full tune up..4 coils, Spark plugs, both Camshaft sensor, plus change the oil every 3 months, the best oil filter you can get...plus more 🤦‍♂️ but it's a good car 👍if u don't like to take care of your car then don't buy this car plus if your a very cheap person..

[@JK_Garage_]

Intake CMP ANGLE 0... hmm maybe ECM not receiving a signal. I think if there were a worn chain then CMP ANGLE should be changed from minus degrees to positive degrees. I hope that you understand the idea. Forgive the poor English language come from Latvia.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Very good thought. I guess we don't really know how smart this computer really is. And your English is better than that of many native speakers lol!

[@baddriversofnorthtexas6850]

pretty much all Chevy are low power including mine

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYDUqKKlqM2FrqM

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

HAHA I've had a 90 Silverado 454 SS stock no mods 415 ft lbs torque at 1800 rpm just off idle and my 06 Silverado SS with 6.0L 380 lb ft of torque at 4000 rpm stock from factory. We won't go into the ZL1 Camaro & Z06 Vette and the ZL1 has low power...only 640 HP and the Z06 is a dog at 705 HP. :D

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

you don't like GM vehicles do you? haha!

[@frankgonzalez24]

Worn timing chain and guide's.

[@joshr8176]

There's your problem ma'am, its 2.4.

[@jaywebb0113]

the 2.4 eco tech engines are actually very good engines . so i dont know what you base your opinion on/from but you would be incorrect.

[@RicardoPCGamer]

ha ecotec engines suck!!!!

[@mph5896]

Just put a timing chain on my mothers 2010 Malibu with 76k. Mobil 1 its entire life, burns 3 qts oil in 5000 mile oil change interval. Plastic primary chain tensioner was broken and bolt was worn down by chain. Not so great!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Dang sounds like you got a lemon lol

[@RicardoPCGamer]

they are all lemons.

[@Mr92cadi]

2nd!

[@Mr92cadi]

awe crap

[@DrewsLair]

Chevy chevy they're the best drive a mile push the rest

[@randy1ization]

Ford,. 10 pounds of shit in a 5 pound bag.

[@GlycerinZ]

Equi NOx

[@emptytomb4967]

lots of miles, engine sounds bad, equinoxes are known to have chain problems, so we'll see, lol