The 8-Month PARTS CANNON (Chrysler 3.6L V6 P0018)

This poor 2013 Chrysler Town and Country was purchased at an auction with a severely SLUDGED engine, a broken camchain guide, and a P0018 DTC.
After engine cleaning and timing chain replacement, the P0018 persisted.
The owner has been battling this Chrysler for 8 MONTHS, and this is the last resort...
He drove it to my shop from NYC, more than 5 hours away....the pressure is on!
Let's take a crack at this Pentastar V6 and see what is causing the P0018.
THINKTOOL PROS:
www.amazon.com/dp/B08SWH2KP4?...
10% DISCOUNT Expires Aug 31: 5GFSGS87
PICOSCOPE WAVEFORMS:
drive.google.com/drive/folder...
Enjoy!
Ivan

[@frankrodriguez1981]

I love that this guy did an actual Russian repair in the parking lot and there’s a pipe wrench on the passenger seat. Lol

[@gregwhite5058]

Eric O. recently had a circular saw in the background on one of his videos. Who needs Snap-On when you can just get your car repair tools at Lowe's?

[@frankrodriguez1981]

@@gregwhite5058 There’s your problem, lady!

[@jimbe01]

Don’t overlook the vice grip as well.

[@harold6863]

Had this on BMW B38 3 cylinder the other week. Head scratcher lol.

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

Props to the new owner that can swap a cam outdoors in under an hour! I will not fret about doing one next time the occasion arises! As for you, Ivan, another great diag!

[@tonywestvirginia]

And allowing your customer to do the work himself not to mention in your driveway. Great video! Well done,

[@youngb1ood]

South main auto and pine hollow diagnostics are one of the few automotive channels providing excellent diagnostic work whom deserve more views

[@jmaxim80]

Couldn't agree with you more!

[@OtisPlunk]

You know it's a Russian repair when there's a rubber Bungee cord and a pipe wrench involved.

[@rickn8or]

Da. Is signature.

[@CubasAutomotive]

FANTASTIC!! That's an awesome diag & case study!! I totally geeked out here! That guy was just as amazing, swapping out cams in that fashion. Very amazing job!

[@wrenchingfool5284]

Nice diagnosis! I’ve run into the same issue before on an Infiniti with a VQ37. It came from another shop that did an oil change but only put in a couple quarts of oil. Owner took off, left their parking lot at WOT and stopped a few miles down the road when the oil pressure and check engine came on and the engine was rattling. Towed it to my shop, had timing codes for both banks, no oil on the dipstick but the engine oil (when draining) was clean with no debris. Rattle coming from the timing chain area, timing was obviously off on both banks when looking at cam/crank signals. I recommended an engine replacement, but because the shop that did the oil change was paying for it, they requested just the timing chains/guides since there wasn’t metal in the oil. Had another tech do the timing chains and guides, put it back together, engine was quiet and ran fine but was still setting a cam/crank for one of the intake cams. I checked the cam/crank sensors again on the scope, verified that the cam setting the code still read incorrect. Since another tech did the chains, I immediately suspected that the base timing may be off. Luckily on the VQ37, the timing marks can be seen with the engine assembled. Checked that, marks were dead on. The cam sensors read a reluctor wheel that is pressed on to the cam gear/phaser. I came to the conclusion that the reluctor must have shifted, since the cam sensor signal was perfect but shifted a fixed amount. Took the valve cover off on that bank to have a better look at the reluctor and sure enough, it was shifted slightly compared to a picture of a new part. The shop paying for the repair started whining that the didn’t want to pay the $500 for a new cam phaser plus labor, so I told them they could either take it as is with the check engine light on or forfeit the warranty on the repair and I will try to physically move the reluctor, with the understanding that could make it worse and they would still be on the hook to pay for the repair. They opted to have me try to move the reluctor. I held the cam with a wrench and tapped the reluctor with a brass drift and a hammer (took a fair amount of force to move). I got it close enough by eye to make the computer happy and keep the light off (the calculated difference was like 3 degrees). Definitely not a fix or preferred repair in my book, but the other shop was being shitty and the owner of the car was bitching to us, plus the shop paying for the repair had voluntarily surrendered any warranty coverage.

[@geraldwilliams3550]

The movement of the reluctor wheel is caused by the twisting of the cams under load . These cams are hollow . This is very common in the pentastar engine . Great diagnostics with the cam signals and no crank reference. I like your use of mathematics .

[@2nickles647]

Very cool diagnosis and then the owner steps in and has all parts needed and repairs his van. The owner also cleans the sludge out of his motor. Some people should not be allowed to own vehicle because changing oil cost to much. Not many owners can fix their own. They drive it to the shop and bitch about cost to fix. Kudos to the owner mechanic. 👍👍 and Ivan to confirm the issue. I really need a Pico scope bad. 👍👍

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

It is too bad the original owner who did not maintain it properly was not the one to have paid for the repair! I find it hard to feel for a customer that brings problems on themselves. I do have part of a heart for people who get stuck paying for other peoples stupidity. Ivan is one of the few good guys out there that is worth his weight in gold, as they say. We need more techs like Ivan in the world.

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

Lj, I need a pico scope too!

[@Hitman-ds1ei]

The old parts cannon is so overdone even by workshops, I know this is an older video but your level of knowledge exceeds most electrical repairers who would not know how to correlate the mechanical aspect to what they are seeing electrically and same goes for mechanics lack of ability to correlate electrically what they are seeing mechanically

[@ahmadghosheh3104]

Your customer reminds me when I had a 2006 Nissan Xterra. First time I opened the engine I had taped, marked, and photographed everything. It took me 2 hours to remove the valve covers. Couple times later I can tear that engine to top to bottom apart in less than 20 minutes and put it back in an hour 😂 . Excellent diagnosis Ivan

[@htownblue11]

Omg. I had this same scenario on a Range Rover Evoque I owned. Only 5 minutes in. Can’t wait to find out. Wow. Reluctor wheel likely got hot due to sludge and rotated by itself. What a find Ivan.

[@waynecartwright9478]

yet another ENDLESS MONEY PIT......but now made in china......AVOID ALL BRITISH LEYLAND VEHICLES !!

[@7MPhonemicEnglish]

Ah yes! Heat expansion. Good hypothesis.

[@barryaiello3127]

@@waynecartwright9478 This is a Chrysler product built in the USA. British Leyland does suck though.

[@toronado455]

@@barryaiello3127 actually I thought these were built in Windsor Ontario Canada. But it's not their fault the previous owner never changed the oil.

[@barryaiello3127]

@@toronado455 Yea, it might be, the newer multi OHC VVT designs all use very long timing chains and really, really don't do well with idiots who cannot even change out the oil.

[@for2utube]

The waveforms look good for the camera. The pico also has "Math Channel", where you could do A-B, to quickly see the magnitude of difference between cam1 and cam2. It might help speed diag up a bit, as you don't have to stop the scope and eyeball the difference. It's under Tools, Math Channel.

[@ferrumignis]

A-B would just subtract the amplitudes which isn't that useful for looking at phase difference on a complex digital signal.

[@chrisE815]

Would have been interesting to see the Chrysler man in action swapping that camshaft.

[@trevorvanbremen4718]

Would need to use a time-lapse camera recording to actually prove that a Chrysler employee had actually MOVED!

[@OnlineMechanicTips]

@@trevorvanbremen4718 lol, thats funny

[@johnjohannemann1220]

Well done as always. Watching your diagnostic videos it’s like being in a classroom.

[@mikeaho4143]

Very interestng case study Ivan. Since you didn't put in the parts it was another NPR. ;-) Another victory for the Pico though.

[@TOM2RN]

I was thinking a Dorman part had been installed. We know how their electronic stuff works.

[@KevinJohnson-fx6wq]

'I don't always know.' I don't always know when I think I know what I know. To open my eyes and my mind a bit wider and search a bit farther, hoping to find what I need to know as I grow a bit stronger inside. To be careful when choosing someone I may share a bit of my trust with. Might just make for a bit of a better day. One thing's for sure, though, I won't always know when I think I know what I know. Have a better day, Jekelex Here I go again working on this thing again. Kinda funny that I don't feel as stressed now. I see it s something for everyone to loook at and maybe have a better day. Guess it depends who reads it. I wonder if kids might learn more if they had something easy to read and be motivated. I find it works most when dealing with people. So easy to mijudge at times. Just a thought. Hope you don't mind me taking up a minute or 2. I do enjoy your vids.

[@johneric3886]

I enjoyed this case study. Thank you very much for putting it out on KZbin. I was impressed how you went back to your lab and followed up on the information that was learned from the case study. Bravo!!!!!!

[@retiredperson4054]

You remain so impressive! I have not watched in a long while! I am still amazed at your talent!

[@EntropicRemnants]

Outstanding troubleshooting and guerilla repair! My hats off to your customer as well as yourself. Really enjoyed this and learned a lot.

[@AP9311]

Ivan, wow, parking lot repair!! Swapping cams and owner saying not leaving until it's fixed! That's dedication right there man! He sure knows what he's doing! Wow, you diagnosed with cam correlation issue under an hour lol! He must have watched your Russian repair fixes!! Nice video! Wished to see more of his putting it together! That would be fun to watch what he did!! Lol. Awesome job!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Yeah he was done with the camshaft swap before I could find a known-good waveform!!!

[@bobflannagan7262]

Bernie Thompson at ATS has found shifted reluctor wheels before, but he didn't speculate on the cause.

[@scientist100]

He always does, usually the wrong part or someone using it to pray the camshaft.

[@hightttech]

@@scientist100: Yeah. Wondering if that pipe wrench might be involved 😆.

[@arnaldofettuccine5227]

Well done as always 👍👍👍💗 Excellent troubleshooting skills.😉

[@themechanic6117]

Loved the pipe wrench on the seat ! 🤣🤣 great video Ivan.

[@bostedtap8399]

Excellent Professor Ivan, very clever on analytical diagnosis, hope last mechanic learns something about a very difficult problem. Big thumbs up for the UK Pico Scope. Great work and thanks for sharing.

[@stevepalmer4072]

Great work again Ivan.

[@jeffco908]

Was looking for something different but wound up here. Had to watch whole video, great diagnostic approach. Been doing this for over 25 years and you just taught me a new and simple way to attack an issue like this.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Thanks for the comment Jeff! Always learning new things every day and happy to share the experience 👍🙂

[@speedy_pit_stop]

This reluctor shift could've been tricky to diagnose. Also lucky to have a camshaft handy. Good video. Thanks

[@josiahsawdey9712]

A similar thing happens with the 80’s Volvo 240 red blocks where the guide pin on cam sprocket shears. Great find man!

[@cwradio4571]

I don’t work on cars like you, but I enjoy watching these videos. I learn something all the time.

[@nghiagip3181]

Wow, I am impressed by your knowledge and diagnostic skills. You are no longer a tech but a scientist. Thanks for sharing.

[@ralph1bart]

Thanks for the in depth analysis and for posting the wave forms.

[@sv_endless6340]

I am getting my self an oscilloscope. Makes diagnostic so much easier. Awesome video.

[@gregjones8501]

I definitely would’ve thought that the phaser was jumping around causing this issue! 🤦🏽‍♂️ Great find as always Ivan!

[@edwinlomonaco6754]

These cars also have trigger wheels that cannot be exposed to magnets. The magnets will remove the trigger wheel ability to create a signal.

[@HandyC]

I bet that was a butt puckering moment when it started and the Ex 2 was still 587 after resetting haha

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

But the variance was correct...PCM must have been a bit confused lol

[@GraditelMacedonia]

Probably PCM need time for synchronization and set up new reference point.

[@jrenoch1796]

@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics have p0017 on 2007 cadillac sts runs good sumtimes when crank it its kida shaking just wondering should i start wit cam or crank sensors or maybe an vvt aculator is what i was told

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

@@jrenoch1796 oil control solenoids usually...OEM GM parts only, no DORMAN haha

[@FredFlintstone21]

Wow! Awesome diagnostic work! While having it all torn down, perfect time to replace the rockers, since they are known to go out on that motor of that vintage, but then again, the owner appears to love tearing into it, may as well wait, maybe they won't go out!

[@robbflynn4325]

Brilliant job. Genius. And after all that neglect from lack of maintenance the engine sounds sweet.

[@baxrok2.]

Well done guys! Thanks Ivan.

[@bigdogpete43]

It never ceases to amaze me how complicated and overengineered they have made a simple combustion engine.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

They have just about reached the maximum limit of efficiency and power while still maintaining good reliability 🙂

[@trevorvanbremen4718]

@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics Replace "good" with "acceptable" and I will agree with ya

[@smithraymond09029]

Changing a cam in a parking lot? That's crazy. Great diagnostic skills! превосходно!

[@scottschulte1157]

Fantastic fix Ivan!!

[@metoon3092]

Wow Ivan, Great Diagnosis! I didn't know _DORMAN_ even made camshafts ! 🤣

[@John-ls5nu]

Once again great diag Ivan my theory is that The reluctant had to have been moving a half a degree through heat cycling expansion and contraction over time

[@scottavuton8196]

That combined with the friction of it running against the sludge that used to have been packed into the cylinder head is a strong possibility.

[@isaacparsons6486]

You never need expensive tools you need the know how and the motivation to do the job anyone that says you need snap on or expensive tools to do work have never actually done work

[@stephenhill535]

Well explained. You make it look so easy

[@weldingjunkie]

Great diag Ivan I figured once I saw the signals not agreeing. Most mirror or close to it and that one was a few inches off on the screen. Can’t beat parking lot fixes lol hopefully you aren’t getting this hurricane 🌀

[@luismarty1685]

Great video Ivan. Thanks.

[@neutrodyne]

What can I say? A person has to really know their stuff to be able to figure out a problem like this one. Great job!

[@Robsav-yx6vi]

You hit the nail on the head . Really impressed with this diagnosis.

[@fredflintstone8048]

Well done Ivan. I see the owner was enjoying a well earned beer after his quick work.

[@duanedonaldson2262]

In the original 4 channel waveform, I could see that the red does not match its partner above giving me enough info to go inside which is exactly what you did but for a different reason and both of our diagnosis is the same, DAMN pressed on parts never fail to FAIL, awesome video and case study as always. I looked at the narrow, medium, and wide windows between bank 1 and bank 2.

[@allnoyz7895]

Very nice...Just an excellent diagnosis.

[@kastooMcFry]

Very interesting! Thanks, Ivan!

[@daveyio87]

I'm a big fan of using Mobil1 with 5k intervals. Ive heard of stories when i was in school back in 07 about pressed on cam lobes on some sort of gm engine and they would turn and be a fun one to diagnose... Although with the use of a pico scope and pressure transducer i'm sure it would be an easy find!

[@josephneal4858]

Great video my friend ....... I love the Nutz and Boltz stuff adding in you diag work and boom!!!! great video !!!!!

[@W.Khairi]

You really had me on this ivan, well done.

[@jamesbruno5896]

Wow nice job Ivan!

[@chateaumedia]

Impressive Diagnostic . 😎

[@billrimmer5596]

I was thinking about the wave form on the good exhaust cam. Scanner Danner had one on a Toyota where the crank gear was shifted due to the crank bolt being insufficiently tightened. U and Eric had a car where I think the cam was bent. Super sleuthing. When u get on a scent, ain’t nothing getting away from u. U Bernie Thompsened it. And now “u can return the car to the customer.” Every time I watch Ivan, I get a little smarter. Thank u!!

[@outofthinair1]

As always, EXCELLENT troubleshooting and diagnostics. You are an amazingly skilled tech Ivan.... BRAVO !

[@CALVINLNIKONT]

Incredible job!

[@TreyCook21]

I'd drive a few hours for a good mechanic as well.

[@daakrolb]

I genuinely wish I was closer. Have my dads 2008 Savanna van. Locks have a mind of their own. Local guys can’t figure it out. :(

[@mattlile1738]

Young man are you part of the iATN network?

[@frankrodriguez1981]

*diagnostician

[@TreyCook21]

@@frankrodriguez1981 Good call. I was going to edit, but I'll leave my mistake so others can learn! :)

[@alrifainidal]

thanks for sharing this information . well done

[@waiting4aliens]

Thank you for your insights. Mind expanding.

[@JoseHernandez-kb5rn]

Great troubleshooting!!

[@gabrielalmeida9169]

thanks ivan, i have the same problem in a grand cherokke 3.6 with the same engine, thanks to your video, i solved the defect, hug from Brazil.

[@greg7886]

FYI if you search on '2027900090 Tone Wheel Check Tool Kit' you will find a tool Mopar has devised to visually inspect for a shifted tone wheel. Super expensive though for what it is. Hopefully another vendor can come out with a less expensive version. I'd venture a guess as to what is causing the tone wheel to shift in most cases is timing component failure that puts enough of an abrupt 'tug' on the sprocket to shift it. And it has probably jumped a tooth at that point. So folks are correctly putting timing kits in but not knowing the wheel has shifted as well. You get all it put back together and end up with a vehicle in the state as in this video. So it would be good to have the tool for double checking anytime you have to do a timing job on these.

[@howardiko7156]

Hey Ivan the dynamic duo. I would have sworn the cam was floating back and forth.

[@brockcampbell8727]

Great diagnosis. I have seen this problem once myself. Like yours, you could not move the magnetic pickup. Unlike yours, it was well maintained. As a FYI we can relearn cam crank correlation at the dealership, not sure if you might have it under your special function.

[@PaulHigginbothamSr]

I have the 3.6 pentastar and really like the motor. Didn't know about cam needle bearings. Guess you can hear it when it malfunctions.

[@michaelpaskorz8577]

another great video Thank You Ivan

[@peterbarnett4082]

Thanks for your video's buddy 👍

[@michealseyi6716]

I love this video. Let me just say i love this way you teach , very unique

[@OldAdventureBikes]

I had a Ram with the same problem during the winter. My biggest clue was that it started and ran so well even though the computer thought that it was 40 degrees off. The one I did ran very low on oil

[@BlackOpsJuJu]

Great Find Nice Job Good Case Study Thanks for Sharing !!!

[@rlgrlg-oh6cc]

Seems like in a case like this, the good bank waveforms could be considered "known good" right? If there are two banks, are there cases where they would have different timing?

[@josecondemarin9586]

Another awesome teaching lesson. Thanks 😊

[@PhillipBailey]

Excellent diagnostic process. I'd still like to know how that reluctor moved...

[@mikebaz7843]

worn cam phasers give it the rattle gun effect, happens to m270 mercedes as well

[@boilertech44]

Great Diagnostics on the 3.8. My wife's van has over 200K and running strong.

[@dogsplantscarsneatstuff176]

Isn't that a 3.6 L engine? Great to hear you are up to 200K. How often do you change the oil and transmission fluid? I have heard so many complaints about Chrysler engines this is good to hear.

[@hugojimenez4009]

You have a way of explain it right thanks for the excellent videos

[@jordanthomas2210]

Absolutely brilliant save. 👏

[@markwatson9816]

Whew! Bonus footage = a true authentic Ivan video not some Chinese knockoff like the last one;-)

[@jamesanderson4014]

Great video great diagnosing great tools.

[@jeffreylapointe2061]

well done, never saw that comming!

[@jeremypilot1015]

The 3.6 is actually a really good engine. I have one myself (yes the trans was replaced) but the engine is a 245K and still ticking...I mean it actually ticks it has the Venerable rocker arm debacle but I understand that's not that difficult to fix in the center cylinder so maybe worth fixing.

[@michaelproeber1953]

Really good for a Dodge. My 2GR-FE’s having NONE of these problems at close to that mileage.

[@gerardlaureano6056]

You inspire me how well you diagnose the issue step by step. Im learning from all your videos. Looking forward to see more of your work. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👨🏻‍🔧

[@justincase3880]

I’d superimpose the two exhaust signals .. just to see if there’s any anomalies .. I agree to look at the reluctor …

[@gmctech]

A pair of chain vice grips and a shot of vodka and i would have gotten that cam wheel synched up pronto LoL... Great video! Most definitely the lack of lubrication maintenance had to do with this. Likely frozen/cold viscous sludge did the deed.

[@45AMT]

This reminds me of the twisted cam Ivan and Eric O found in an older video. Crazy stuff!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

@Aussie101 yeah it's on Eric's channel...that was before I even had my own channel haha

[@suttoncoldfield9318]

For Ivan and Eric with the twisted camshaft, see kzbin.info/www/bejne/gV64nal4j55ogNE Hyundai Tucson P0173 Case Study Part 2

[@roxanneabbott8424]

I am sure he is ecstatic and cant thank you enough!!!

[@dogsplantscarsneatstuff176]

Ivan great job. How a fitted tone ring that requires several hundred degrees to move shifted moves speculation to so many reasons this could have happened. Thanks for mentioning the 3.6 was a good engine. After seeing Dodge neons and listening to Scotty I lost hope for Chrysler except for the old slant 6 and the Cummins diesel.

[@hightttech]

Slant 6 👍❤. Sweet memories. I recall DIY'rs would always install oil pickup tube wrong when replacing engine, then wonder why new engine had no oil pressure. Local auto parts store would have car towed to us when customer screaming "DEFECTIVE ENGINE". Too bad many customers destroyed the new engine's bearings.

[@suttoncoldfield9318]

60 degrees movement one way is 300 degrees movement in the other

[@chriscorts3337]

Great video. Got to get a Pico.

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

Great call!

[@MattJHerold]

Awesome case study! Thank you for sharing this. Please tape off those intake ports, I’m get getting dropped bolt anxiety! LOL

[@jmaxim80]

Great job ivan your a great mechanic

[@faustogonzalez8397]

Awesome Ivan great video!!

[@aleskyfinis1025]

Good job Guys

[@kevinbyrne4538]

Dang, Ivan, you're good.

[@Thankz4sharing]

I admire your logical approach. I'm almost sad that i don't have a busted car to bring to you. Those who do need your talent are lucky to find you.

[@stevencox75]

thank you