P0012 fault code

[gollum2018]

Hi just joined forum so hello to everyone.
I have just taken a 2ltr 58 plate Z4 in PX in a private sale.
It was a cheap car as it has a fault code of P0012 and is idling badly and noisy on idle.
It revs ok and is still driveable.
I have checked code and it says relating to Vanos fault.
Before I begin throwing cash at car what is worse case scenario in getting this car up and running properly or not.
Car is in to nicer condition to break or scrap and has only covered 70k with full history.
Any comments welcome.
Thanks

 

[eddiemunster]

It was a cheap car as it has a fault code of P0012 and is idling badly and noisy on idle.
It revs ok and is still driveable.

It's more likely to be cam timing/chain related, rather than vanos, as the general effect of a failed/failing vanos unit is lack of low-end torque but an otherwise quiet engine.

Which engine is it?

 

[gollum2018]

Hi thanks for reply.
Not looked into it yet as guy coming tomz to do the deal.
Below was is description to the fault.
Car drove ok on test drive other than lumpy idle.
Not sure if this helps.

The was parked up for the winter running perfectly, my other car went in for repair so I went to use this for a few days, upon starting the engine light is on its not running smoothly hunting up and down sounds more noisy sometimes it smooths out sometimes it’s worse, it’s only on tickover it revs up fine and drives well with plenty of power plugged it into diagnostics and got code p0012 it’s something to do with vanos

 

[eddiemunster]

Hi thanks for reply.
Not looked into it yet as guy coming tomz to do the deal.
Below was is description to the fault.
Car drove ok on test drive other than lumpy idle.
Not sure if this helps.

The was parked up for the winter running perfectly, my other car went in for repair so I went to use this for a few days, upon starting the engine light is on its not running smoothly hunting up and down sounds more noisy sometimes it smooths out sometimes it’s worse, it’s only on tickover it revs up fine and drives well with plenty of power plugged it into diagnostics and got code p0012 it’s something to do with vanos

Is it knocking/rattling on idle, or just seeking idle? Check the MAF, if that's disconnected or loose then you'll hunt idle and under acceleration it'll feel like it's not running on all cylinders. As for the fault code, the device that it was checked with really matters as most of the cheaper (i.e. non-Delphi) ODB readers are inaccurate.

 

[Mr roadster]

Possible causes
Low or dirty engine oil
Faulty variable valve timing VVT
Faulty oil control valve OCV
Veritable valve timing VVT harness is open or shorted
Oil control valve OCV harness circuit is open or shorted
Damaged ECM
Found this on site called engine codes.com

 

[eyup]

I just checked over my old private messages when my vanos apparently went two years ago on my 3.0. My error codes were P1554 and 2A99 but I know DLV was adamant it was not the Vanos but just the solenoids. Unfortunately, long story short it cost £1,100 to solve at an independent garage and included vanos, chain tensioners, oil, diagnosis etc. If was not urgent I had found much cheaper quotes (£<500) with less work but this also meant taking the car many miles from where I live.

Note, similar event this week, error P1554 returned, hence my recent post. However car feels to be driving fine. No bad idle or noise. I cant feel the difference in performance and didnt last time. Trying solenoid replacement first.

Is DLV still active on the forum?

Also, was there a Mr Vanos who specialised in this?

 

[gollum2018]

The car drives ok it's just on idle where problem lies.
I took car n PX for 2k against a 15k sale so it does not owe me alot and cosmetically it's in great nick.
Even all previous mots it's only ever failed on minor things like bulbs wipers etc so been looked after I presume.
My thoughts were it's not been started or run for 6 months and oil gone bad and clogged the Vanos Solenoids

 

[skelters]

There's info on this thread.
viewtopic.php?t=63811

There's also videos on YouTube on this error code.

A Z4 is always worth fixing and making roadworthy again up until 2009 plates anyway!