CEL P0018 Cams
 

Got P0018 leaving work today. Car seemed fine though, granted I babied it home just in case. I pulled the battery, reset, and the code is gone.

I haven't actually drove it around for an extended period to see if it stays gone.. but from everything I have read - P0018 was an ECU issue that was resolved a while ago? And, I am on an aftermarket tune anyways..

Cam issues seem to be an on going problem with these engines. And from what I am reading, they seemed to be linked with engine oil starvation and then engine failure.


Check out this video and go to the 5 min mark and listen to what these guys say about the weakness of these engines. They mention the code you and others have had.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-c...layer_embedded


Sucks

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...postcount=2970

Here you go!

Interesting. Is it worth getting a tune on a stock BRZ to improve some of these issues ? If so, is it DYI or do you need to bring the car to a shop?

I read that. The weird thing is that I already have the latest update.

Update (or lack thereof)

After resetting my ECU, I drove it around for about 15 minutes this morning and all seems well. No more code. :iono:

I am still paranoid.

It happened when I drove off and my engine was cold still, I never do that but yesterday I had to (engine oil was still at <40f). I am wondering if that was a factor?

The posting by AVO seems to suggest there could be a mechanical problem with the cam. Some spring that does not go flush and can cause a code and oil starvation? No idea how you would know unless one takes a direct look at the cam.

I may be reading this wrong, and their isn't much info out there, but I am under the impression that 0018 and 0019 are ECU-related. Even the post linked above seems to state that, saying that 0016 and 0017 are mechanical-related.

Not sure if the specific Cam code can delineate between ECU cam issue and a mechanical issue of the cam. Maybe someone with more knowledge knows the answer.


Anyone know?

Bump.

This code keeps returning at random. The car drives 100% normal (cruising, 10+ psi boost full throttle, cold start, warm start) until it throws the code, and then it goes into some sort of limp mode until I reset.

think post here is the one

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...postcount=2970

its supposed to look like this

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...postcount=2973

There is a TSB for this that involves replacing parts of the AVCS

TSB doesn't help since I am turbo'd. That battle with the dealership isn't even worth the effort.

More info however.. I have narrowed down when exactly my CEL is triggered. Whenever I let off the gas while in gear or apply a tiny bit of gas while in gear coasting down a hill.
Idle is fine. To the floor at 12psi of boost is fine. Cruising is fine. Let off the gas in gear to coast down a hill - CEL. And once the CEL is triggered the car drives like shit.

:mad0260:

I suppose I need to start looking into what exactly I need to replace.

TSB could still apply but I wouldnt have dealer do it. Ptuning did the TSB for CEL codes I was getting. The probable cause of the car running like shit is the AVCS is probably going into limp mode (not working). The only person I personally know of having this issue resolved it by have the cam sprockets replaced.

Any idea on a ballpark of how much that cost them?
@ptuning is this true? seeing as that my tune is from toan it would probably make sense to bring it to them anyways if it's not too expensive.

I should have seen this coming, my cams acted funny one time back in the fall but were 100% fine until recently.

No idea about cost would have to llook up tsb add cost of parts and ask em what theyd charge for labor

it looks like it's a cam and crank correlation code 18 and 19 are the different banks. The ecu expects the cam signal and crank signal wave forms to be at certain points at tdc. Most of the time this is a mechanical issue like timing chain slipped or bad vvt. If it were electrical like dead sensor u would see circuit output codes. As far as the tsb I didn't read it but it probably says replace the vvt and update ecu which means subaru softened the calibration with the software update. These aren't the only four cylinder engines with similar tsbs and issues with vvt

I just looked at the tsb and they actually show the wave forms captured from their data
Logging feature on their scanner that's a new one for me. And it looks like warranty pay times are listed at about five hours I would expect to pay 1.5 times that for customer pay and what ever the vvt cost

Since the BRZ was my daily driver, I went out and bought a WRX as a new daily driver so I can pull this engine and build it like I've been meaning to anyways.

I'm sick of chasing codes and dealing with my shitty FA20Club turbo kit. So, shortly I will be parting it all out and building the block and heads :)

Very nice! Wish i had that kind of cash laying around

My completely stock 2014 has been in and out of the dealership for the 0018 code. 13k miles.

First time in, they just reset it. Came back a block away from the dealer.

Second time, they updated the ECU and topped my oil off, plus some drive cycles. Came back on a block from the dealer.

Third time, they replaced the AVCS oil valve, plus some drive cycles. Came back on two blocks from the dealer.

Fourth time, SOA says to replace ECU and then possibly the sprocket on the affected cam. Still waiting for the ECU to come in.

I will post an update when I get the car back.



ugh

I think when I pull the engine, I am just going to buy a built head. 2 birds with 1 stone.

I might bring it to the dealer as is, and see if they will honor the warranty and replace the AVCS valve and cam sprocket.. but I have a feeling they will see the turbo and laugh (even though I am certain this issue has nothing to do with any modifications to the car). Regardless.. worth a shot. Worst case is they say no.

An update for anyone interested or who encounters similar problem;

I replaced the LH intake cam oil control valve and the CEL seems to have gone away. Now that I know what the problem was I am pulling the engine and selling the turbo kit though. Already bought part of my new project for her :burnrubber:

Damn... this type of shit makes me want to trade in my car more and more. I heard these cars are plagued by this inevitable failure. It's hit or miss some say though.

I AGREE ......too many issue for my liking

And... the CEL is back. Annoying. I'm trying to get this motor built and all these other big changes - but I really don't want to proceed with known bad parts. :mad0260:

I guess the cam sprocket is next on the list. Hopefully that isn't too much of a pain in the ass.

Yeah, This is what's holding back my modding....

The irony being that this problem is not caused by modding at all..

I agree, but in the dealers eyes.....


it's pretty well a lose lose situation

Oh, I know.. I have contemplated taking it to the dealer as-is (turbo, exhaust, oil cooler, etc.) but the chances of them actually seeing past all that are about zero. Although, legally I am pretty confident that the warranty should be honored - I don't think it would be worth my trouble arguing that.

I would give it a go, worse case they say no
Depending on your knowledge you could go higher up, but I'm sure your not the first person to have modded their car and void warranty


Let us know what you do

I had the same thing happen, i just went back to the dealer at 52k miles. They are currently troubleshooting with the engineers.

Do you have a 2013?

Yup

Thanks for the reply...sorry to hear about all the stuff you're dealing with.

Just got my car back. Fairly quick turn around (2 days). I called Subaru Corporate to make sure the repairs were on record. I guess as long as i have the vehicle this issue will be repaired for free. The catch is i can't really mod anything in the engine bay (super bummer). Oh well, it's gives me some peace of mind.

Update from me.

Got the car back last week. They ended up only replacing the ECU. I guess SOA told them that when the cam sensor goes out it has been causing permanent damage to the ECU.

I hope that they come out with a fix soon because that is ridiculous. I don't want to buy a new ECU every time a fucking sensor breaks.

I feel your pain. I REALLY want to add on a supercharger/turbo, but have to keep the engine stock for Subaru to continue to fix this issue for free.

I'm glad to hear that Subaru is paying to fix this shit after the warranty period. Hopefully they figure it out quick.

They haven't figured it out, 2k miles and it's back (same code). I talked to corporate and am trying to file a lemon law claim, or have the dealer buy the vehicle back and have them take the hit. They sold me a faulty car. I should have known something was up when i purchased the car "new" with 100 miles on it. I was too eager and now i pay the price.

What miles did the code start coming up and how often?? How does the car drive with the code?? (Does it seem like something is wrong or does it drive fine with the code?)