Check engine light on … again.
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 22
Check engine light on … again.
Hi folks,
the check engine light on 2008 Saturn Astra with 150,000km has come on three times this month. The first repair was code P0017 for the exhaust cam solenoid which was replaced along with the flex pipe. The second repair was code P138 O2 sensor 2. And now the check engine light is back on again! Anyone have any suggested solutions/explanations as to what could be the problem?
Bruce
the check engine light on 2008 Saturn Astra with 150,000km has come on three times this month. The first repair was code P0017 for the exhaust cam solenoid which was replaced along with the flex pipe. The second repair was code P138 O2 sensor 2. And now the check engine light is back on again! Anyone have any suggested solutions/explanations as to what could be the problem?
Bruce
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 22
Hi folks,
after a postponement, the car finally went in for service this week and the code returned was the same as before “P0017 - exhaust camshaft positioning (cmp) correlation.” The technician wrote that he “suspects that the timing is off, that vehicle had previous work on actuators. Re tightened actuators and re-assembled. Code still came back. Removed timing belt and set timing up as per doc number 1988334. Re-assembled and test drove, ok”.
As owners, we have never had any previous work done on actuators (what are those anyways?) but we are the second owners.
the timing belt is due at 160,000km (we are at 151,000kms) but the mechanic noted that the belt was in good shape so we can perhaps push the timing belt replacement out a bit given this work.
does any of this make sense? The check engine light has not come back on but I must admit it would not surprise me if it did.
Bruce
after a postponement, the car finally went in for service this week and the code returned was the same as before “P0017 - exhaust camshaft positioning (cmp) correlation.” The technician wrote that he “suspects that the timing is off, that vehicle had previous work on actuators. Re tightened actuators and re-assembled. Code still came back. Removed timing belt and set timing up as per doc number 1988334. Re-assembled and test drove, ok”.
As owners, we have never had any previous work done on actuators (what are those anyways?) but we are the second owners.
the timing belt is due at 160,000km (we are at 151,000kms) but the mechanic noted that the belt was in good shape so we can perhaps push the timing belt replacement out a bit given this work.
does any of this make sense? The check engine light has not come back on but I must admit it would not surprise me if it did.
Bruce
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,557
From: Anniston, AL
I don't know what the actuators are, Bruce, because I'm NOT a mechanic by trade and am not familiar with your vehicle. However, any competent mechanic worth his salt would have just gone ahead and changed the timing belts and tensioners while he had it apart and saved you some money from having to take it all back apart in 9,000 kilometers and replace everything. He's getting into your wallet twice and you're allowing it. I'd suggest you find a REPUTABLE mechanic to take your car to and stop letting that one take advantage of you. I agree with derf that you should just take your car to your local chain auto parts store and ask them to read the codes when the CEL comes back on. Post them here and maybe we can help you save some money.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 3,294
From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Variable cam phasers fail in all brands of cars, usually due to improper maintenance or incorrect oil viscosity. My Lincoln has variable cam phasers and function as designed at 240,000 miles due to proper maintenance. My car requires 5w-20 oil and premium fuel, oil changes with full synthetic every 5k miles has paid off.
I recommend that you replace your cam phasers when you have the timing belt serviced.
I recommend that you replace your cam phasers when you have the timing belt serviced.
Thread Starter
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 22
Many thanks for the replies.
Rubehayseed - I agree that I would have liked the opportunity to change the timing belt at 151,000kms but I didn’t get the information to take that decision in a timely fashion unfortunately. I am indeed searching for a reputable mechanic since our family’s trusted mechanic of 30 years retired during Covid. Word of mouth and referrals is the methods I am using with mixed results - do you have a reliable way to find a reputable mechanic I could use?
Derf - unfortunately, AutoZone does not operate in Canada and so far I have not found an equivalent company matching the code reading service for free. If you hear of a company, please let me know - I would like to take advantage of that offer or I guess I could buy a code reader myself.
02 LW300 x thank you for your explanations. I will certainly do as you suggest and replace all associated parts when I do the timing belt. AstraFasta made a similar recommendation regarding the idler and tensioner as some idlers don't fare so well.
grcauto8453 - we bought the car with 121,000kms on the clock in 2021 so I can’t attest to the maintenance on the car prior to that but since then we have followed the Saturn owners manual for all recommended maintenance which requires an oil change spring and fall plus all repairs that have popped up. Was the damage done previously - perhaps.
Rubehayseed - I agree that I would have liked the opportunity to change the timing belt at 151,000kms but I didn’t get the information to take that decision in a timely fashion unfortunately. I am indeed searching for a reputable mechanic since our family’s trusted mechanic of 30 years retired during Covid. Word of mouth and referrals is the methods I am using with mixed results - do you have a reliable way to find a reputable mechanic I could use?
Derf - unfortunately, AutoZone does not operate in Canada and so far I have not found an equivalent company matching the code reading service for free. If you hear of a company, please let me know - I would like to take advantage of that offer or I guess I could buy a code reader myself.
02 LW300 x thank you for your explanations. I will certainly do as you suggest and replace all associated parts when I do the timing belt. AstraFasta made a similar recommendation regarding the idler and tensioner as some idlers don't fare so well.
grcauto8453 - we bought the car with 121,000kms on the clock in 2021 so I can’t attest to the maintenance on the car prior to that but since then we have followed the Saturn owners manual for all recommended maintenance which requires an oil change spring and fall plus all repairs that have popped up. Was the damage done previously - perhaps.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,557
From: Anniston, AL
No, I don't have any sources for reputable garages except for word of mouth. And I really don't have any suggestions in Canada except for Canadian Tire, I think it is. That's one I've heard mentioned by several Canadian members. Of course, I guess it just depends on where you are. Just like dealerships, some are great and some not so great. I'm glad Andy explained the cam phasers as I didn't have clue. Technology is great, but if you don't keep up (like me) you get left behind (like me)!
