I need help. I am completely stumped. I have a 2004 ford f150 5.4L triton 3 valve. I keep getting the obd code p0012. Bank one over retarded. Engine runs rough. I have tried everything.
It has rebuilt motor. Here is list of everything new. Rods, pistons, cam phasers, all new timing components, vcts (changed twice), spark plugs, coil packs, fuel injectors, all new wire harnesses, new intake manifold, new throttle body, new radio suppressors, all new sensors, cam and crank.
Almost everything under the hood is new. I have no clue what could still be causing this issue. Obd only shows problem bank one. She will crank right up. But soon as she gets a little warm check engine light comes on and she runs really rough and wants to die when you put it in reverse or drive. I have taken her completely back apart to check for timing jump and also to check for lash adjuster issues. Everything good. If anyone can help I really appreciate it.

 

@Lostfordowner there are a whole HOST of mechanical and system things that can result in P0012 (Bank 1 Cam Timing Over-retarded). A couple of important NOTATIONS to help sort things out is: Over retard codes are "Sticky". Once they occur, even if momentary, it stays for a couple of drive cycles WITHOUT the condition reoccurring - or until codes are cleared, whichever occurs first. Can be useful in diagnosis. (A camshaft retarded more than 5 degrees than the PCM's requested positioning for more than 5 seconds sets over retarded DTC).

Your having replaced Phasers and VCT solenoid narrows things down some. Having replaced lower end stuff you surely cleaned junk out of the pan and oil pump pickup screen, BUT:
Did you replace Oil Pump?
Are you ALSO getting P0340? Very closely related DTC that occurs if over retarded during cranking before it starts.
Was GOOD QUALITY, OEM Phasers used? We have seen MANY instances of same problem (and/or early failure) with several brands of 'aftermarket' phasers.

Your rough idle confirms a cams are ACTUALLY not properly timing synced. The over retarded one does not breathe deeply and produces much less compression / thus power. So it is basically a four cylinder dragging the other four. If you are NOT getting P0340, I would raise RPMs in neutral just before shutdown, then UNPLUG both VCT solenoids and drive it. Report whether rough idle persists for subsequent diagnosis techniques.

It could be BAD/defective VCT solenoid (Which I would try first). It could be a BAD = aftermarket Phaser (which I'm betting on). It could also be low speed oil pressure deficiency that is not able to return that cam to full advance after PCM commands retard. It could also be excessive cam bearing drag that phaser can't overcome once retarded.

But the PCM is not able to send (or HOLD) the bank 1 cam back to base position or advanced direction efficiently enough.

 

Oil pump was also changed. I had bought a timing kit which came with vct, phasers, oil pump and other timing components. I am pretty sure it was an aftermarket. So that is probably the cause of the problems. I replaced the vcts that came with that kit with oem ones. Still had same problem. Only other codes it gave was one for bank one o2 sensor. I don't remember the code number though. I will try what you suggested in the morning about rev above idle shutdown and unplug vcts. And drive it. I had tried unplugging the vcts before. And it ran better unplugged. Thank you and I really appreciate the help.

 

With the oil pump changed, and subsequently going to OEM vct's - I am more and more convinced you are victim of poor quality Phasers.

You get 10 lashes with a wet nuddlle for not remembering or noting the code though. Trust DTC's. The PCM is closest to the problem as you can get. And considering a failures relative effect on other systems can be useful diagnostics. If Bank 1 is over retarded (P0012), will cause 'lean' code on the _OTHER_ bank (P0174) because it is breathing better and appears almost like a vacuum leak. Freequently a rich code or O2 Stuck rich on the effected bank - either looking like an O2 code. Anyhow - you are forgiven.

The underlying reasoning for suggesting the specific procedure VCT unplug test is to make the -generally unproductive test- a little more meaningful. PCM is requesting _NO_ retard when 'LOAD' is below 25 to 30% (in neutral), thus VCTs should be routing 100% of oil flow and pressure into Phaser advance chambers and elevating RPM raises oil pressure way up to PUSH Phaser into advance position.

As the engine 'idles down' and shuts down, oil pressure correspondingly declines to zero lbs. NOTE: Internally, the phaser has a 'spring loaded' LOCKING PIN that _should_ capture the phaser at full advance while NO retard is commanded). Assuming it's working halfway right, it should LOCK the phaser BEFORE idle oil pressure become insufficient to hold cam at full advance. /// if the locking pin spring is 'designed' strong enough (not TOO weak causing it to unlock on idle down), or it doesn't lock the phaser properly - valve train drag will pull the cam into retard state upon next cranking. That should result in P0340, and if idle oil pressure is unable to push phaser into advance position, you get rough idle and P0012. ///

Once Phasers are locked upon shutdown (and stays locked), unplugging VCT solenoids in that state should prevent oil flow from being routed to Phasers retard chambers at all - thus eliminate the rough idle. You will get a code for VCT circuit problem, but that is perfectly expected. There shouldn't be any retarded cam situation to cause rough idle - even during or after a drive cycle.

Let us know what happens here. It will undoubtedly help others.

 

The o2 sensor code was p0172 Bank 1 too rich. I did as suggested. Revved in neutral and shut it down. Unplugged vcts and drove it. She ran better. But not a whole lot though. Idle surged up and down at stop signs. But not enough to fear she would die like before. And hesitated when accelerator applied and felt a lack of power. Also tranny is rebuilt. And new cats are on. And also all vacuum lines were replaced. Almost everything on it is new or rebuilt.

 

Any new codes. You didn't mention an over retard - which certainly should not happen with VCTs unplugged, but VCT circuit codes expected. It is promising if cam timing codes to not appear (might mean phasers and VCT solenoids are acting as expected (staying at full advance). Remember my mentioning P0012 and P0022 are 'STICKY" and once they occur momentarily - they stay for some time. It is _POSSIBLE_ idle oil pressure simply dipped to low during throttle surging (caused totally by something else). It will NOT hurt to run with them unplugged for a while. And the roughness / surging is NOT related to them being unplugged.

For the moment, --- with the extensive work that has been done - I'm going to suggest another (low cost shade tree) technique. Go over every single harness connection, vacuum connection, and EVAP connection and make double dog sure EVERYTHING is connected correct and well.

OBDII data would be helpful --- such as Fuel Trims, Fuel Rail pressure, MAF air flow, Intake Air Temp, etc, and Mode 06 misfire counts on all of the cylinders for the last 10 drive cycles. Can your reader / scanner accommodate this?

Come on all you smart guys who are following this thread and help this guy out.

 

After the trip with the vcts unplugged I read the codes. I got p0010, p0012, p0020, and p0172. The codes p0012 and p0172 were always the ones that shown every time I read the codes prior. I did not erase any codes before unplugging the vcts. I am one step ahead of you though. I have pulled entire wire harness from computer. Unwrapped and checked for shortages, burn spots, etc. I replaced crank sensor plug, cam sensor plugs, both vct plugs, all coil plugs and fuel injectors plugs, and the oil sensor plug as well. And also checked continuity on every wire. To rule out any possibility of a bad wire or plug being the problem.

 

Being one step ahead of me is way to easy to do to be a positive on your resume. So let's don't go THERE. The appearance of 0010 and 0020 coupled with your unplugging VCT's confirms you did a good job replacing VCT connector plugs and re-wrapping the harness (Damn - you have rebuilt everything on that thing. Once we get it running right - IT'S NEW).

I would like to see if the "Sticky" P0012 code comes back WITH VCT's unplugged. It SHOULD NOT if Phaser(s) are locked at full advance and STAY THERE. As I mentioned, the two new codes are the only downside to running with VCTs unplugged. Actually, the PCM will remove a flag (VCTENA - VCT Enable) and will not attempt to activate the VCT solenoids while either has a circuit problem (P0010 or P0020). Mox Nix anyway with them unplugged 0f they are keeping their 'spool valve' closed as they should. The P0012 and 0172 are part of the same problem - cam timing sync problem. I would clear the codes and do a drive cycle - see if they come back. If they do, it is time to make sure the VCT solenoid is closing off properly without duty cycle pulses applied - or remove valve cover and inspect phaser..

 

Update. Erased all codes. Cranked it up. Let it idle. Limited info I can get on scan tool. Fyi I am in Texas and summer has already started. It was 98 in the shade today. Info I got is as follows:
Start up cold at idle
Coolant 97 F
IAT 97 F
MAF 8.95 -9.55 gm/sec
RPM 610-710
Warm up at idle
Coolant 198 F
IAT 118 F
MAF 6.05-6.95 gm/sec
Driving 55 mph
Coolant 194 F
IAT 100 F
MAF 32gm/sec
RPM 1645
Probably unrelated to the vct issues but truck would not go over 55. When pressing pedal to accelerate motor would bog down. Tried to feather the pedal to force it to go faster by pressing and letting up on pedal it did nothing. Temper got best of me and I pressed pedal to the floor motor bogged down and revved up slammed me back in the seat and off she went. And kept going without gas pedal pressed. Had to ride the brake to get it to slow down. Got up to 75 before I could get it to slow down riding the brake. It was pretty scary. Not sure what caused it. After that fiasco she ran poorly on way back to the house. Rough idle at stops. And erratic idle and surging while driving. Only codes that ever popped up were the p0010 and p0020. Nothing else.

 

Thanks for the diligent collection of data. I don't spot anything that stands out. And as you say - I have no idea what caused the accelerator phenomenon.

Back to the situation at hand. Being too absolute is dangerous without having a flow chart of the PCM software. But I _do not_ believe that having the VCT solenoids unplug will prevent generation of timing codes. That would not make sense to me, (but what the programmer thought controls). But I know that the PCM will withdraw VCTENA signal and 'disable' VVT during the remainder of a drive cycle if it determines VVT is NOT working. (I have 'witnessed' this with my scanner). I would thing it would set P0340 or P0012 first time it TRIED. The timing codes (P0012 & P0022) require timing to be more than 5º for more than 5 seconds to trigger. If your chain was 'ONE TOOTH" off, it seems like it should generate a code as that should represent more than 5º (360º/42 gear teeth = > 8º).

Unplugging VCT's does NOT eliminate the possibility that Bank 1 VCT might be binding / not closing the spool valve completely when all power is removed. ???? (Might swap them side to side or try another one in Bank 1).


But the rough idle, poor performance, and fuel trim inbalance are all common symptoms of cam inbalance (one over retarded as compared to the other).

I repeat - where are all the smart guys. We need your help here.

EDIT: Where you at in Texas?