My engine was just rebuilt in the last few months because of my special talent to spin bearings (also melted a forged rod). Crankshaft was replaced as well since it bore evidence of getting pretty hot:




Anyway, engine was rebuilt by my local performance shop and everything is peachy again. Except for one thing: Every time I drive it, it results in a CEL with codes p0016 and p0017. I understand they both have to do with the correlation between the cam shaft and crank shaft sensors. Whenever the pending code turns permanent, I also seem to lose boost (not sure if this is related). Other wise car runs fine, boosts fine until the CEL shows up.
Before I start replacing sensors, or question the work of the shop, does anyone have experience with these codes and how to solve them? Thanks in advance!

 

Nobody huh?

 

Cam phasers aren't changing time correctly, likely meaning they need to be replaced or at the very least re-timed Adrian

 

Ouch. That looks painful, lol. I assume you're using a trap door pan? Maybe time to move to dry sump? How's your oil temp and pressure been?

I miiiiight have a set of cam phasers/sensors in the garage from when I deconstructed an LNF to use the block in my car. I'd send them to you for free, if you want.

 

Thanks guys!

Sounds like i need to bring it back to the shop? This is a brand new issue since the engine was rebuilt.Hope they don't need replacing as they are special cam phasers that came with the Stage 3 cams... Is there anything I can do to trouble shoot first? I read somewhere that the RPD shows "no data" on the cam phaser angle if they have an issue? I'll check tonight when I get home.

 

Oh, and to answer your questions: I do use a trap door oil pan and clearly it's not enough. Ideally yes, I need a dry sump but i just might be at the point where I'm done pouring more money in this car as a track monster. 4 out of my last 7 track days have ended in disaster so I think the car is trying to tell me something...

 

I'm currently debating either building my Cobalt or '86 GTI into a dedicated track car; or finding something better to do it with. My internal monologue might have just scratched the Cobalt out. I have a trap door pan too, but I ran into my own issues before getting it to the track. I've honestly been most worried about the transmission. They're getting rare, especially with an LSD, and the one I just took out of my car drained with metallic glitter in the oil. -_-

I also know John has been through his share of engines and transmissions too. I think he sticks with it because his car looks fantastic and it's cheap to him to replace parts.

I found a 2017 GTI for $13k with a salvage title due to rock damage on the front bumper and hood. Having access to a car that's actively in a racing series right now (TCR) should be good for finding parts. And one of the great things about VW's is that the manual gearboxes have been relatively unchanged for the past 25 years or so; as far as fitment is concerned, at least.

 

I honestly believe that stock, the TC is a great track car. But at almost 500hp, it just gets too hot with all associated issues. I used to do full day lapping days before upgrading the turbo, six 20-minute sessions, with driving the car to and from the track (~70 miles) with no issues at all. Ever since I upgraded the power, I'm 2 for 7 in terms of bringing it home in once piece...

 

Yep. That's part of the reason that I might end up dialing my LSJ back to low to mid 300's this time around. Probably just wastegate pressure on my PTE5557.

 

That's a solid plan.

I checked last night and my RPD indeed shows "no data" on the cam phaser angle screen. Going to have the shop take a look under the valve cover...

 

I definitely have a set of stock phasers in my garage, but since you said yours were special to the S3 cams, I guess that doesn't help. Also looks like the black plastic cover on one of them is cracked, so I guess they're worthless either way.