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After taking it apart for the fourth time, still same codes and still can't drive properly. Really at my wits end after spending 3 months trying to chase this issue down.
Attempt#1: Rough idle, barely started, flashing CEL, didn't go for a drive and just go back into the garage to work on it, first time and last time I saw P0016 code
Attempt#2: Redone the installation and set the spline gear properly this time at the front, replaced the intake cam sensor, went for a drive and P0017 came up, but probably the best i got it to run
Attempt#3: Redone the assembly again, watched the youtube video on the 'sweet spot' and redone the exhaust side, i also replaced the exhaust cam sensor to no effect so i went back to stock, P0017 remains and now joined with P1424. Symptom now include bad cold start (where it'd start and rpm would drop to stall speed and remain unstable until the car's fully warmed up)
Attempt #4: I followed Kapt's post here:
https://www.zpost.com/forums/showpos...59&postcount=2 to the tee, where I had set the splines at the front following his pictures, TIGHTENED 2 bolts on each hub, fasten the pistons on, push the VANOS to the motor to the studs on the VANOS, then LOOSEN the 2 bolts on the hubs, and push the VANOS onto the block and tighten. I then re-tighten the hubs again on 2 points, remove the VANOS again and re-torque all the hub bolts, then just reinstall the VANOs.
Using the OEM bridge, I had re-time every single time, only notice my timing changed every single time I re open the valve cover, same codes, P0017, P1424 again
Same cold start issues, now joined with odd throttle behaviour beside unstable idle that seems to all go away the moment the car is warmed up where it just seems to magically disappear
Car does feel like its on full power, at no point did i feel loss of power once it is fully warmed up
Can anyone think of anything else that may have caused this? At this point only thing I have not tried to suspect is the 'rebuilt' Besian Solenoid
Only thing I did notice, was from the first time I taken the VANOS apart before any work even took place, I notice my exhaust spline was not at the front like all the instructions I have seen. This is with the motor at TDC., my exhaust spline was around middle-fairly deep in the exhaust hub. Really not sure if this makes any difference, but this contradicts every instruction I have read up on.