Camshaft position sensor

ADAM HOLT

MEMBER
2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE
3.6L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
120,000 MILES

Hey, I can take off fine but as soon as I get to 50 it sputters and chugs and no power until I hammer down. I can get to speed with a whole lot of chugging and once I'm there I can hold the gas pedal at about 1/4 and maintain speed. No problems until I push the gas enough to ask for acceleration. I took it to the shop and it was camshaft sensors but no correlation. The mechanic said it's not worth fixing because even with them fixed the timing chain is probably ruined and he says it'll cost over 2g Canadian. I also had throttle position sensor code. I replaced it and I have noticeable more power but still the main issue is there.

5 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Did they give a little more detail about what was actually wrong with and what needed to be replaced? If the issue is the cam and crank are out of sync causing a correlation issue then I am thinking it could just be a phaser issue or even and oil control valve. Have you recently changed the oil and used a different oil? These solenoids on the cam shafts operate off of oil pressure so if we changed the oil viscosity that can cause performance issues and normally set correlation issues.

Here is a guide that talks about this system:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-camshaft-variable-valve-timing-works

The important thing at this point is to get the reasoning as to why they say it is not worth repairing. They may be correct and it make more sense to replace the engine but let's try to get their thinking so we can confirm this or maybe seek a second opinion.

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Monday, August 17th, 2020 AT 9:30 AM

ADAM HOLT

MEMBER
3 POSTS

They said it was cam sensor. 2 of them. They said it did not say correlation. He was saying though if I replace the sensors it could very likely end up be the timing chain still and i'm back to a new motor. I don't think it is that. It has lots of power. No vibration. The oil was low before I left. I added a bit. The throttle body had oil in it.

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Monday, August 17th, 2020 AT 12:40 PM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

They could be correct but with this info it sounds more like they are guessing at what it could be. Is there a code that they gave you or can you get it? I highly doubt that the timing chain is ruined if the engine drives okay.

The oil in the throttle body is concerning and points to the intake valves hanging open but we can get there after we look at the codes they found.

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Monday, August 17th, 2020 AT 7:12 PM

ADAM HOLT

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I was 4 hours from home when it started doing this. The oil like I said was low before leaving so I did top it up. I'm wondering if I topped it up too much but at the same time I wonder why it was even low to begin with.

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Tuesday, August 18th, 2020 AT 4:55 AM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

All engines use oil so it being low may or may not have been an issue depending on how low it was and how long since the last oil change. If you did top it off too much that could cause aeration which could cause other oiling issues. Let's just try something first and foremost. Perform an oil change even if you just did and put the proper amount of oil in it. If you just did an oil change then you don't need to do a filter. Just make sure you compensate for not needing to fill the filter with oil when you first start the engine so you may not need all the oil for a normal oil change. Just add all but a half quart if you are not changing the filter and then run the engine for a couple seconds, then let it settle and check it. Add oil as needed until it is the correct level.

Then we need to just drive the vehicle and see if this happens again. Clearly keep an eye on the oil level just to see if it is dropping quickly. Keep me posted on what happens.