Timing Belt Engine Code

So yesterday I got a good fresh oil change, today down the road, right after I leave the driveway the cruise light starts flashing and the engine light comes on. I bring it to autozone crossing my fingers for an o2 sensor when he reads out "Camshaft timing positioning sensor, timing belt, cam timing is off" or something along those lines.
I am $1300 behind on my car meaning I have to take out most of my paycheck every week just to get caught up by February, and now I have this?!

Can I just get the timing belt done or is this something more serious? I have to drive to work every day, what are the odds the engine will snap on me? It's not running differently. I'm at 102,229 miles. Just the night before my mechanic said not to worry about the timing belt and just focus on not getting the car taken away....so now what do I do? I still have to drive it to work

Originally Posted by Roche

So yesterday I got a good fresh oil change, found out the dealer has been using a crap oil filter and not the ones I specifically paid for...anyway, I filled it up today with gas for the first time in a while, put it in 2nd (1st is too short so I skip it) down the road the cruise light starts flashing and the engine light comes on. I bring it to autozone crossing my fingers for an o2 sensor when he reads out "Camshaft timing positioning sensor, timing belt, cam timing is off" or something along those lines.
I am $1300 behind on my car meaning I have to take out most of my paycheck every week just to get caught up by February, and now I have this?!

Can I just get the timing belt done or is this something more serious? I have to drive to work every day, what are the odds the engine will snap on me? It's not running differently. I'm at 102,229 miles. Just the night before my mechanic said not to worry about the timing belt and just focus on not getting the car taken away....so now what do I do? I still have to drive it to work

Well at 102k miles you have about 3k miles before you need to replace the belt/tensioner/etc. I would not take your mechanic's advice on not to worry about the bet, unless he is going to replace your engine for you for free...

With that said the code you are getting sounds like it may only be a sensor, but it could also be the tensioner allowing the belt to skip a tooth.

I would at this point do the Timing Belt kit and then possibly do the sensor if doing the belt itself doesn't fix the issue, since you are due for the TB anyway.

I know that isn't the answer you wanted to hear but it is the truth.

-Mike Paisan


11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
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How long could I drive it like this? I'm broke and there's no way possible I could do the belt any time soon. It feels like I either get my car taken away or wait until it blows, either way I'd lose my job.
Could I just do the belt and tensioner for now?

Originally Posted by Roche

How long could I drive it like this? I'm broke and there's no way possible I could do the belt any time soon. It feels like I either get my car taken away or wait until it blows, either way I'd lose my job.
Could I just do the belt and tensioner for now?

Yes, do at least the belt and tensioner as they are the items that usually fail and cause the motor to blow.

-Mike Paisan


11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs
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We need to know the code.

You may have had the P0011 and or P0021

Not good.

Is your idle crap?? I had the same code and it turned out to be the AVCS solenoid to the left of the manifold. Subaru calls it the oil control valve. I pulled mine out and it fell to pieces in my hand, got a new one at the dealership for $125

Car is getting repossessed. Just spent $170 in a tune up and full tank of gas.
Toyota sucks and said they won't accept weekly payments, they want $1200 now or never. I'm only two months behind with a definite payment arrangement.
I guess this marks the end of her

Why not sell it instead of getting it repoed?

-Mike Paisan


11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs
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I don't think anyone will pay $11k for it when the timing belt is slipping. I drove it today, the car has no power and is making scraping and groaning noises

yeah, you got p0021 code and the turbo is now shot. turbo got starved of oil either by a clogged banjo bolt screen or the turbo was due to go south either way. and the turbo material clogged the banjo bolt thus the avcs has no oil to keep it operational thus a code. so, the next owner could be in for a shortblock as well as a turbo

Originally Posted by Roche

I don't think anyone will pay $11k for it when the timing belt is slipping. I drove it today, the car has no power and is making scraping and groaning noises

I guess that's what you owe on it

Sorry

-Mike Paisan


11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs
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Originally Posted by ripemeat

yeah, you got p0021 code and the turbo is now shot. turbo got starved of oil either by a clogged banjo bolt screen or the turbo was due to go south either way. and the turbo material clogged the banjo bolt thus the avcs has no oil to keep it operational thus a code. so, the next owner could be in for a shortblock as well as a turbo

The turbo is brand new, has less than 1,000 miles on it. I've also never raced it so I don't know why it'd be blown. There's no smoke or smells anywhere

why did the first one blow? if the turbo was simply replaced the problem still remains, the crap left from the previous turbo probably clogged up your banjo filter thus starving your new turbo of oil, it's the common lay-person mistake with these cars. Even dealers and shops do this practice.

Originally Posted by ripemeat

why did the first one blow? if the turbo was simply replaced the problem still remains, the crap left from the previous turbo probably clogged up your banjo filter thus starving your new turbo of oil, it's the common lay-person mistake with these cars. Even dealers and shops do this practice.

They didn't say why, I think they raced my car and blew it because they said it started smoking. I checked it today, it seems fine and there's nothing different about it. When I drove the car, I would randomly hit boost as I'd be almost flooring it just to get up a hill. The code is for the crankshaft position timing, no noises from the turbo or anything