Replaced the FPDM, the original looks good after 16 years! Replaced bank one o2, fixed pinched wires, cleaned VCT screen in the insert.

Now just waiting on parts! I can't think of anything else to do while the engine is open. The suspect phaser looks good, but won't know till I can take it off.

If it runs when I get it together, I'll never know what the problem was 😂, if not, it's gonna be someone else's problem.

 

Got all the parts except for spark plugs. I'm not sure the previous ones that I installed were legit, just seems odd that so many were fouled. All the packaging etc. looked good, but hopefully the new ones coming from RA are legit.

I'll R&R the phaser tomorrow, but it really looks fine based on FTML's video on identifying faults. Timing is good as well.

Anything else I should check/look at while everything is open? I'm just thinking this might have been all self inflicted. Either I installed a defective VCT, or I damaged it when I did the timing. I can't see any other way the screen would have broken.

 

You don't need to assume any blame for that. There's plenty of forum posts where OEM VCTs have failed in the same fashion. Maybe when the oil is cold (and thicker), early actuation of VVT pushes the fine screen in where the VCT plunger chews up the screen. But I don't think it was anything you did wrong.

 

Well it's all back together. I'm gonna try starting it tomorrow, waiting for the gasket sealer on the VCs to dry.

I still have no idea what's wrong with it, but here's what I did:
New phasers (no visible problem inside or out)
New O2 and cam sensors
New plugs (bank one completely fouled) maybe they were counterfeit? Look different than the new ones.
New oil and filter
New FPDM
New VCTs (one was bad)
Checked timing
Cleaned MAF
Cleaned Throttle body
Fixed bank 2 pinched wires

Hopefully it runs! I've never just thrown parts at a problem, but the codes just seemed to be symptoms of a problem, not the problem.

Regardless of outcome, I truly appreciate all the great input, this is an awesome forum!

 

I understand everything you've done and don't / can't fault any of it. But I'm curious about this one without the front cover being removed. The colored links at the Crank cannot be seen behind the tone ring even with pan removed. Knowing that it ran good after the previous timing job says it WAS in time, and jumping time on ONE bank just out of the blue is highly unlikely - I hope the new chains were marked and new phasers are oriented identical to those removed.

I'm not throwing rocks here. Just curious - how do you say you 'checked timing'?

 

Well... it runs "good", not perfect. Maybe it's just relearning. I did the throttle body relearn first. I'll drive around the neighborhood today just to make sure nothing goes wrong.

I'll put everything else back once I'm confident it is going to stay running (fender liner, fan shroud etc.). It's cold here and no stop and go traffic, so it isn't getting hot.

As to the timing, I used a paint pen and colored the whole link, then used my camera to snake down to the crank gear. It's a pain, but taking the cover off just to do that seemed more work, especially since I have no idea what was wrong with it.

 

Very interesting I can see maybe getting a camera probe up from oil pan side but I can't imagine being able to see the links from the top of the timing cover . At one point you colored chain links in white paint at least on the single links to go on crank gear dot . You must be a magician
I don't see how you lined everything up for timing with cover on . I may be thick headed.
The sparkplug on drivers side top did look to me to have some blowby , which means loose plug the latest torque is 25-28 foot pounds . I hope you had defective plugs on passenger side maybe counterfeit.
I wonder which bank had the damaged vct .
You did give us something to look at when changing vcts , its possible the screens could get pushed in towards plunger. Maybe we should 12vdc jump test them before installation? I'll be more careful with them now .

 

I didn't retime it, just looked down to see where the marks were. Obviously if it was out of time, the cover would have to come off. If it was off, I might have not been exact on seeing, but as bad as it was running, I expected it to be way off.

I have no idea what was wrong with it, but as good as it runs with the new phasers etc, the timing has to be correct.

 

I'd have to agree with that given that you marked things correctly to change phasers from top side.