P0012 Error... After Valve cover gasket

bmwstone · 08-13-2018, 07:28 PM

So I did a valve cover gasket replacement on my 2008 328i and Im getting error code:

P0012 - Intake Camshaft Position Timing - Over - Retarded (Bank 1)

I started the car and is runs very rough so I shut it off. I may have made things worse as I have pulled the valvetronic motor and reinstalled about 5 times trying to get it to calibrate on its own by cycling the ign. I also tried the 10x accel pedal trick but didnt seem to work either. I double checked all the things I have plugged off but cant find anything.

So my question is... Is this a valvetronic calibration issue or is it a sign of something else? All input are very much appreciated.

hassmaschine · 08-14-2018, 01:10 AM

Thats a VANOS error. Valvetronic controlls lift, not timing.

bmwstone · 08-15-2018, 05:20 PM

Perhaps a bad sensor or something?

hassmaschine · 08-15-2018, 07:23 PM

Possibly, or not plugged in, etc.

bmwstone · 08-20-2018, 09:15 PM

Car now throws P0016 - Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation - Bank 1 Senor A

So now its throwing P0012 and P0016. Its not running anymore. It cranks for a long while then starts and shuts off.

Any ideas before I tow it to the mechanic? Is there anything that I may have forgotten to plug back in at the back of the engine (around the firewall). Everything at the front of the engine seems ok.

Nebraska330xi · 08-21-2018, 10:15 AM

Like others said the two vanos solenoids in the front of the engine would be my first check. Maybe switch their positions and make sure they are fully plugged in. If not Check all the connections and grounds on top of the valve cover. It likely wouldn't turn over at all if there was a ground issue however. The back of block connection to Check would be the PVC hose connector which is a very tight fit RIGHT against the firewall, a long black hose that plugs into the side of the VC. It's different on the 328 (I have a 330). Google that though and you will see it's position.

BenjiFACE · 04-08-2019, 09:25 PM

I just got a new e91 328i Xdrive. Seller had a valve cover gasket done prior to me getting the car and now I get this code every once in a while. Looks like something to do with the cam position sensor? I'll be exploring it a bit and let you guys know what I find.

08-13-2018, 07:28 PM	#1
bmwstone New Member 1 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2008 328i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: canada iTrader: (0)	P0012 Error... After Valve cover gasket So I did a valve cover gasket replacement on my 2008 328i and Im getting error code: P0012 - Intake Camshaft Position Timing - Over - Retarded (Bank 1) I started the car and is runs very rough so I shut it off. I may have made things worse as I have pulled the valvetronic motor and reinstalled about 5 times trying to get it to calibrate on its own by cycling the ign. I also tried the 10x accel pedal trick but didnt seem to work either. I double checked all the things I have plugged off but cant find anything. So my question is... Is this a valvetronic calibration issue or is it a sign of something else? All input are very much appreciated.
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08-14-2018, 01:10 AM	#2
hassmaschine Major General 3966 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	Thats a VANOS error. Valvetronic controlls lift, not timing.
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08-15-2018, 05:20 PM	#3
bmwstone New Member 1 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2008 328i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: canada iTrader: (0)	Perhaps a bad sensor or something?
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08-15-2018, 07:23 PM	#4
hassmaschine Major General 3966 Rep 7,215 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	Possibly, or not plugged in, etc.
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08-20-2018, 09:15 PM	#5
bmwstone New Member 1 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2008 328i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: canada iTrader: (0)	Car now throws P0016 - Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation - Bank 1 Senor A So now its throwing P0012 and P0016. Its not running anymore. It cranks for a long while then starts and shuts off. Any ideas before I tow it to the mechanic? Is there anything that I may have forgotten to plug back in at the back of the engine (around the firewall). Everything at the front of the engine seems ok.
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08-21-2018, 10:15 AM	#6
Nebraska330xi Lieutenant 42 Rep 551 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Sonora Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Nebraska iTrader: (1)	Like others said the two vanos solenoids in the front of the engine would be my first check. Maybe switch their positions and make sure they are fully plugged in. If not Check all the connections and grounds on top of the valve cover. It likely wouldn't turn over at all if there was a ground issue however. The back of block connection to Check would be the PVC hose connector which is a very tight fit RIGHT against the firewall, a long black hose that plugs into the side of the VC. It's different on the 328 (I have a 330). Google that though and you will see it's position. __________________ 2006 Sonora Metallic 330xi. DIY: Charcoal Delete, K
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04-08-2019, 09:25 PM	#7
BenjiFACE New Member 2 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 2009 E91 328i xdrive Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	I just got a new e91 328i Xdrive. Seller had a valve cover gasket done prior to me getting the car and now I get this code every once in a while. Looks like something to do with the cam position sensor? I'll be exploring it a bit and let you guys know what I find.
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