Check Engine Light - Code P0008

Schumi78

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Hello,

A week ago I had the CEL come on in my 2009 Torrent GXP. Took it in a few days later and tech at the local Chevrolet dealer said was throwing code P0008. Says it relates to the camshaft solenoids.

Tech recommended as a first step to perform an oil change, reset the code and put in some additives. Most likely that would resolve the problem and was the cheapest solution to go with first before having to spend any more money on the vehicle. If the oil change didn't fix the problem, then they would need then replace both the intake and exhaust camshaft solenoids on bank 1.

Picked up the car Friday afternoon and in less than 2 miles down the road the CEL came on again. Obviously needs more than an oil change. Called them first thing the following Monday to book the car back in.

Tuesday morning rolls around and I bring the car in for the scheduled appointment. Say they need to special order the parts that won't arrive until the next morning (Wednesday). Opted to leave the vehicle there over night and have them replaced first thing when they arrived the next day. They call me Wednesday afternoon and say that they replaced the solenoids but one of the new ones were defective and they needed to order a new one which won't arrive until Thursday (today). As soon as it came in they'd get on it first thing and everything should be done by noon.

3pm rolls around and no call yet so I call to get an update. Service adviser says tech finished replacing the new defective solenoid in the afternoon, took the car out for a test drive, but after about 5 miles of driving the CEL came on again. He checks and the same code was thrown. Now they're not sure exactly what the issue is and they need to do further diagnostics. I'm to come in tomorrow to speak with the head service adviser after he is able to speak with the technician (who at the time I called had already left for the day) and see what they will need to do next.

I'm concerned they're not quire sure exactly what the issue is and I don't want to have them keep changing things and resolving it by luck. After the $150 diagnostic bill, $50 oil change and $600 I'm told is the cost of the new solenoids and labor they just finished doing, this is now becoming a bit concerning to me.

Has anyone else come across this code with the same engine (3.6L V6 VVT with SFI) and had the issue resolved? What did you have done? My vehicle has only 48,500 miles on it but beyond the 5-year powertrain warranty period. The only thing done on the vehicle historically are regular oil changes every 5,000 miles and tire rotations every 10,000 miles. And other than changing a few burnt out light bulbs over time, the vehicle hasn't cost me any money or been any trouble. Leading up to the CEL coming on recently, I did not see any noticeable performance issues, no change in gas mileage or any strange noises come from the engine that I could tell.

In case it helps/means anything, below are the tech's exact notes on the invoice when I brought it in the first time and their corrective actions taken...

CAUSE: "INSP. & FOUND P0008 SET ENG. POSITION SYST. BANK 1 PERFORMANCE. CHECKED OIL & FOUND IT TO BE DARK RAN DOWN DIAG. & FOUND CMP VARIANCE TO BE A LITTLE 1-2 DEG. OFF BUT FOR MOST PART WITHIN SPEC. REC. TO RUN BG OIL SYST. CLEANER/OIL CHANGE & RECHECK PERFORMANCE AT THIS TIME. POSS. CAMSHAFT SOLINIODS STICKING.

CORRECTION: "PERFORM LUBE,OIL &FILTER WITH NEC ADDITIVES AS RECOMMENDED CLEARED DTC & ROAD TESTED NO CHECK ENG. LIGHT.. "NOTE" IF CHECK ENG. LIGHT COMES BACK ON WILL NEED TO REPLACE BOTH CAMSHAFT SOLINOIDS FOR BANK 1."


Interested to see if anyone else has had the same code and situation and what was done.

Thanks!
Craig

PS: I have searched around on the web for this code and did see some posts related to stretched timing belts on the 3.6L engines. I brought this up with the dealership and they say the tech said in this situation there isn't anything out of the norm with the timing belt on the engine.
 
there is no mention of any solenoids in the description of the code but does mention the chain and tensioners
http://www.obd-codes.com/p0008

Thanks, melsg5. I will print this out and take it to the dealership today and question the head service adviser why the service department was confident it was the actuator solenoids and why they believed this.

When I spoke to the lower level adviser yesterday on the phone, I said what is the dealership going to do for me me since all this work has been done, my vehicle has been in the ship for 4 days and a bunch of money has been spent without any resolution. I realize vehicles are complicated these days, sometimes there is a little trial and error necessary and these things do happen. But I wasn't satisfied with his response from the adviser I spoke to on the phone yesterday when he went silent for 15 seconds to think of a response to my question. All he said was that his tech was confident the actuator solenoids needed to be replaced but there could be more to the underlying problem. I'd have to come in and speak to the head service adviser for more info.

As you mentioned, there is no mention of actuator solenoids on the link you sent me but I want them to show me the exact definition from the GM books they have on this code. Maybe they sent them in this direction...
 
I have a gxp, code p0008 ended up being timing chains and tensioners, very common on other models outlooks,acadia,etc. With the 3.6ltr. I had a extended warranty that put in some Chinese parts, light came back on 3 days later, they ended up putting in oem and has been great ever since,lesson learned.
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Thanks, Tororojo. After spending $600 on the actuator solenoids without resolving the issues, the dealer talked to GM and said they do in fact believe it's the timing chains and tensioners. They've ordered the parts and once I have time to leave the car with them for a couple days, they'll replace everything.

The dealer agreed to credit the $600 against this next repair which I was happy about and will see if GM will do anything as well. Unfortunately I'm outside of the warranty. I hope this is the only major thing to go wrong (fingers crossed) since I've never had anything go wrong in over 6 years. Only standard maintenance so I guess I can't complain too much.
 
No problem Schumi78, the crappy part is on all other 3.6ltr. There is a extended coverage from GM. But i think because GXP torrent is not that common they are excluded for some reason. I called GM customer assistance and were no help what so ever. Luckily i had a aftermarket extended warranty. Good luck to you.
 
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