Cams not working. - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

texasbound972 · 03-06-2015, 10:49 AM

So the other day my SLOFRS was on the dyno and Bill from Delicious Tuning couldn't get more power out of her. Supposedly the cams weren't opening the valves enough and there wasn't a code either. On my way to work I scanned the car with the torque app and P0018 powertrain popped up. I have a newly built engine from Crawford Performance. Has anybody had this problem?

Dipstik-sportech · 03-06-2015, 01:51 PM

You answered your own question, Crawford performance built engine.

dem00n · 03-06-2015, 02:12 PM

On a more serious note. Will be interesting to see the outcome...

OkieSnuffBox · 03-06-2015, 03:14 PM

I don't understand, the valves/cams are mechanical, not pneumatic or like the Fiat AIR engine.

I can see not being able to adjust the TIMING of the cams being a problem.

SmsAlSuwaidi · 03-06-2015, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dipstik-sportech

You answered your own question, Crawford performance built engine.

whats wrong with Crawford ? I know they are reputable ?

Dipstik-sportech · 03-06-2015, 06:19 PM

Many many things. If the vvti isn't working it's 100% an assembly problem. Either the assembly wasn't installed correctly or maybe they broke the solenoids installing the engine. Usually the vvti issue with these cars affects one, maybe two cams but not all four. Crawford's amazing build quality lol, how quick is the catch can filling up?

stugray · 03-06-2015, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasbound972

Supposedly the cams weren't opening the valves enough and there wasn't a code either.

Wait.... WHAT??!?
So crawford offers variable valve lift options?

Dipstik-sportech · 03-06-2015, 06:51 PM

Yeah didn't you hear they made VTEC for the fa20?! Am I to understand you have built heads and cams but stock springs....???

xwd · 03-07-2015, 12:28 PM

Would probably be more helpful if Bill was in this thread. Is the VVTI working at all? You said it's not opening the valve enough, does that mean not opening it enough given the VVTI advance? P0018 is the only code?

With other Subarus this is a crappy one to diagnose. There are a few options:

1) Timing chain isn't correct
2) Oil issues are causing VVTI to not actuate correctly, do you have an oil pressure gauge?
3) Bad oil control valve, my guess since it's happened to others
4) Bad sensor or bad wiring. Check the plugs to those sensors.

mrk1 · 03-07-2015, 12:44 PM

Have you contacted Crawford about the issue? Posting this here is just going to turn into an internet game of whisper down the lane. Soon enough this single experience will turn into "Your cams wont work if Crawford builds your motor"

To me it sounds like something is off with the variable cam timing. Something small enough that the engine still runs fine but just not at full potential. If your having this issue right off the bat after getting your engine built it should be no contest to have Crawford investigate. Did Crawford build and install?

texasbound972 · 03-07-2015, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrk1

Have you contacted Crawford about the issue? Posting this here is just going to turn into an internet game of whisper down the lane. Soon enough this single experience will turn into "Your cams wont work if Crawford builds your motor"

To me it sounds like something is off with the variable cam timing. Something small enough that the engine still runs fine but just not at full potential. If your having this issue right off the bat after getting your engine built it should be no contest to have Crawford investigate. Did Crawford build and install?

I have contacted Crawford. Was waiting to hear from the man lol. I need to first get in there and clean the sensors out and go from there. Just wondered if this has happened to anyone else.

texasbound972 · 03-07-2015, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dipstik-sportech

Many many things. If the vvti isn't working it's 100% an assembly problem. Either the assembly wasn't installed correctly or maybe they broke the solenoids installing the engine. Usually the vvti issue with these cars affects one, maybe two cams but not all four. Crawford's amazing build quality lol, how quick is the catch can filling up?

The new catch cans were filling up pretty quick. I've even spotted some white almost lotion consistency from the driver side catch can. Pulled the can right before the last dyno and there was a good amount of fuel in them.

texasbound972 · 03-07-2015, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dipstik-sportech

Yeah didn't you hear they made VTEC for the fa20?! Am I to understand you have built heads and cams but stock springs....???

No built heads and stock cams. Yes they are stock valve springs lol. They seem to work fine in the Crawford BRZ so Quirt didn't see a need to change them out.

xwd · 03-07-2015, 07:33 PM

They are probably the weakest part of the heads, it's the first thing people replace. I can't see doing new valves without doing new springs, it makes no sense.

Does your car run okay, stumble at all? When the AVCS system on the WRX/STi acts up in similar manners the car runs like crap.

03-06-2015, 01:51 PM	#2
Dipstik-sportech Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Drives: 2013 BRZ satin white pearl sportech Location: Thunder Bay Ontario Canada Posts: 1,813 Thanks: 842 Thanked 911 Times in 576 Posts Mentioned: 43 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	You answered your own question, Crawford performance built engine. __________________ 2013 SWP BRZ sportech. 11.11sec@129.01mph, 511whp on e70. FullBlown base kit, FullBlown built 9.5:1 engine, GTX3076R GEN2 turbo, 1700cc Bosch injectors, FullBlown flex fuel kit, FullBlown radiator and oil cooler, FullBlown custom 3" dual exit exhaust, act xtreme clutch, whiteline diff and subframe inserts, BC Racing coilovers, hotchkiss 18mm rear sway, is300 3.73 differential ... Never finished

03-06-2015, 02:12 PM	#3
dem00n Member of the year - 2016 Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: Scion FRS Location: New York Posts: 3,575 Thanks: 788 Thanked 2,427 Times in 1,111 Posts Mentioned: 23 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	On a more serious note. Will be interesting to see the outcome... __________________ Friends don't let friends Plastidip

03-06-2015, 06:19 PM	#6
Dipstik-sportech Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Drives: 2013 BRZ satin white pearl sportech Location: Thunder Bay Ontario Canada Posts: 1,813 Thanks: 842 Thanked 911 Times in 576 Posts Mentioned: 43 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Many many things. If the vvti isn't working it's 100% an assembly problem. Either the assembly wasn't installed correctly or maybe they broke the solenoids installing the engine. Usually the vvti issue with these cars affects one, maybe two cams but not all four. Crawford's amazing build quality lol, how quick is the catch can filling up? __________________ 2013 SWP BRZ sportech. 11.11sec@129.01mph, 511whp on e70. FullBlown base kit, FullBlown built 9.5:1 engine, GTX3076R GEN2 turbo, 1700cc Bosch injectors, FullBlown flex fuel kit, FullBlown radiator and oil cooler, FullBlown custom 3" dual exit exhaust, act xtreme clutch, whiteline diff and subframe inserts, BC Racing coilovers, hotchkiss 18mm rear sway, is300 3.73 differential ... Never finished

03-06-2015, 06:51 PM	#8
Dipstik-sportech Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Drives: 2013 BRZ satin white pearl sportech Location: Thunder Bay Ontario Canada Posts: 1,813 Thanks: 842 Thanked 911 Times in 576 Posts Mentioned: 43 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Yeah didn't you hear they made VTEC for the fa20?! Am I to understand you have built heads and cams but stock springs....??? __________________ 2013 SWP BRZ sportech. 11.11sec@129.01mph, 511whp on e70. FullBlown base kit, FullBlown built 9.5:1 engine, GTX3076R GEN2 turbo, 1700cc Bosch injectors, FullBlown flex fuel kit, FullBlown radiator and oil cooler, FullBlown custom 3" dual exit exhaust, act xtreme clutch, whiteline diff and subframe inserts, BC Racing coilovers, hotchkiss 18mm rear sway, is300 3.73 differential ... Never finished

03-07-2015, 12:28 PM	#9
xwd Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 2013 DGM Subaru BRZ (Subie #9) Location: ATL, US Posts: 2,667 Thanks: 123 Thanked 861 Times in 552 Posts Mentioned: 32 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Would probably be more helpful if Bill was in this thread. Is the VVTI working at all? You said it's not opening the valve enough, does that mean not opening it enough given the VVTI advance? P0018 is the only code? With other Subarus this is a crappy one to diagnose. There are a few options: 1) Timing chain isn't correct 2) Oil issues are causing VVTI to not actuate correctly, do you have an oil pressure gauge? 3) Bad oil control valve, my guess since it's happened to others 4) Bad sensor or bad wiring. Check the plugs to those sensors. Last edited by xwd; 03-07-2015 at 12:50 PM.

03-06-2015, 03:14 PM	#4
OkieSnuffBox Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Drives: '23 BRZ Limited Location: OKC, OK Posts: 2,089 Thanks: 683 Thanked 1,337 Times in 761 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	I don't understand, the valves/cams are mechanical, not pneumatic or like the Fiat AIR engine. I can see not being able to adjust the TIMING of the cams being a problem.

03-07-2015, 12:44 PM	#10
mrk1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: Sterling BRZ Ltd Location: New England Posts: 1,702 Thanks: 403 Thanked 1,389 Times in 671 Posts Mentioned: 21 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Have you contacted Crawford about the issue? Posting this here is just going to turn into an internet game of whisper down the lane. Soon enough this single experience will turn into "Your cams wont work if Crawford builds your motor" To me it sounds like something is off with the variable cam timing. Something small enough that the engine still runs fine but just not at full potential. If your having this issue right off the bat after getting your engine built it should be no contest to have Crawford investigate. Did Crawford build and install? __________________ The Build Thread GT28RS - eBoost2 - 3.91 Final Drive - Supra LSD

03-07-2015, 07:33 PM	#14
xwd Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 2013 DGM Subaru BRZ (Subie #9) Location: ATL, US Posts: 2,667 Thanks: 123 Thanked 861 Times in 552 Posts Mentioned: 32 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	They are probably the weakest part of the heads, it's the first thing people replace. I can't see doing new valves without doing new springs, it makes no sense. Does your car run okay, stumble at all? When the AVCS system on the WRX/STi acts up in similar manners the car runs like crap.

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