EN

Severity: Moderate Code type: Generic (all makes)

P0014 Code: "B" Camshaft Timing Over-Advanced or Performance (Bank 1)

The bank 1 exhaust cam won't follow its target and stays too far advanced; think oil, valve or phaser.

At a glance

Severity: 3/5 – Moderate3/5

Severity: Moderate

Meaning
"B" Camshaft Timing Over-Advanced or Performance (Bank 1)
System
Fuel & Air Metering · Powertrain
Safe to drive?
With caution
Typical repair cost
$50–$3,000
DIY difficulty
Moderate

On most dual-VVT engines the exhaust phaser rests at full advance, held there by a lock pin and often a helper spring, and the PCM retards it at part load so some exhaust stays in the cylinder, which cuts NOx and pumping losses. P0014 means the bank 1 exhaust cam stays more advanced than commanded, or responds too slowly to count as working. Put simply, the exhaust cam doesn't move away from its resting position as far or as quickly as the PCM wants. The usual suspects are the exhaust oil control valve, the oil itself and the exhaust phaser, and because the exhaust side of the head runs hotter, valves there varnish sooner. Check the oil first, then prove whether the valve or the phaser is to blame.

Can I keep driving? Driving to a shop is normally fine; expect a slightly rough idle or a weaker mid-range. If a loud rattle from the front of the engine appears at startup and hangs on for more than a couple of seconds, have it checked before you rack up more miles.

How to read P0014

How to read P0014P10203144
  1. P Powertrain
  2. 0 Generic (SAE)
  3. 0 Fuel/air & emissions (aux.)
  4. 14 Specific fault

Symptoms

  • Check engine light, often with no drivability complaint at first
  • Slight loss of mid-range torque, a flat spot somewhere around 2,000 to 3,000 rpm
  • Fuel economy down, especially at steady highway cruise
  • Clatter or rattle at startup from a worn exhaust phaser lock pin
  • Code comes back quickly after clearing when the oil is overdue

Possible causes

Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).

  1. Exhaust oil control valve sticking or varnished from running on the hot side of the head 28%
  2. Oil low, overdue or sludged 22%
  3. Exhaust phaser worn: weak lock pin, broken return spring or leaking vanes 20%
  4. Timing chain stretch or a weak tensioner shifting the exhaust cam reading 12%
  5. Exhaust camshaft position sensor or its tone wheel giving an erratic signal 10%
  6. Oil viscosity other than the grade the manufacturer specifies 8%

Diagnosis step by step

Diagnostic flow: P00141Check oil level and condition2Watch exhaust cam desired versusactual under load3Swap exhaust and intake valves ifthey're identical4Clean or replace the exhaust controlvalve5Listen for phaser rattle6Check the exhaust cam sensor signal

  1. Check oil level and condition

    Read the dipstick on level ground and look at the oil's color and smell. Low, fuel-thinned or sludgy oil has to be corrected before any other test means anything.

    Tools: Flashlight

  2. Watch exhaust cam desired versus actual under load

    Exhaust cams are usually parked at idle, so the fault often only shows when driving. On a road test, or holding 2,000 to 2,500 rpm, compare desired and actual bank 1 exhaust angle: a gap that never closes, or an actual value stuck near zero while retard is commanded, is the signature of P0014.

    Tools: OBD-II scanner

  3. Swap exhaust and intake valves if they're identical

    Many engines use the same control valve on both cams. Swap them, clear codes and drive; if the fault moves to the intake side as P0011, you've found a bad valve without buying anything.

    Tools: OBD-II scanner, Screwdriver

  4. Clean or replace the exhaust control valve

    Remove the valve and inspect the spool for varnish and the screen for debris. Short 12-volt taps should make the spool move crisply; a valve that clicks weakly or sticks halfway belongs in the bin.

    Tools: Screwdriver, Multimeter

  5. Listen for phaser rattle

    A rattle that lasts several seconds on a cold start, worst after the car has sat overnight, suggests the exhaust phaser isn't locking until oil pressure builds. Combined with a slow or noisy response in live data, it points to phaser replacement rather than another valve.

    Tools: Flashlight

  6. Check the exhaust cam sensor signal

    If the actual angle jumps around erratically instead of lagging smoothly, check the exhaust cam sensor. A cracked tone wheel, a loose sensor or metal debris stuck to a magnetic tip can mimic a phaser fault.

    Tools: OBD-II scanner, Multimeter

Where the parts are

Ignition: coils and spark plugs per cylinder – P00141234567
Ignition: coils and spark plugs per cylinder
  1. 1Ignition coil
  2. 2Spark plug
  3. 3Fuel injector
  4. 4Camshaft sensor
  5. 5Crankshaft sensor
  6. 6Engine computer (ECM)
  7. 7Intake manifold

Repair options & costs

RepairDIY?Estimated cost
Oil and filter change with the specified grade Yes $50–$120
Clean or replace exhaust oil control valve Yes $100–$320
Replace exhaust camshaft position sensor Yes $90–$250
Replace exhaust cam phaser No $600–$1,600
Timing chain kit including both phasers No $1,500–$3,000

Rough US estimates for parts and labor; shop rates vary by region. Not a quote.

Notes by brand

BMW

BMW double-VANOS six-cylinders such as the N52 and N54 use two identical VANOS solenoids at the front of the cylinder head. Sticking solenoids with dirty screens are a well-known cause of exhaust cam timing faults, and swapping the intake and exhaust solenoids is the standard quick test before buying one.

Field data

Kia 38 Sorento, Optima, Soul Ev
Hyundai 33 Sonata, Santa Fe, Elantra
Chevrolet 26 Equinox, Malibu, Traverse
Ford 10 Escape, Ecosport, Expedition El
GMC 10 Terrain, Envoy Xl

Source: NHTSA Complaints API (US government open data), analyzed by DTC mention.

Emissions / smog test impact

Will fail

State OBD-II emissions tests fail a car with an active check engine light, regardless of how well it runs. Fix the cause, then drive normally for a few days so the catalyst and other monitors report ready before the retest.

Frequently asked questions

What does over-advanced mean for an exhaust cam?

The exhaust cam normally rests at full advance and is retarded only when the PCM wants more valve overlap. Over-advanced means it stays nearer that resting position than commanded, so the retard the PCM asked for never actually happens.

Is the startup rattle related to P0014?

Often, yes. A phaser whose lock pin is worn flaps back and forth until oil pressure builds, which you hear as a rattle for a few seconds. The same wear makes the phaser slow and imprecise once it's running, which the PCM logs as P0014.

Why does P0014 come back right after I clear it?

A code that resets within one drive usually means the valve or phaser is failing consistently, and an oil change alone rarely cures it. A code that takes weeks to return is more often oil related.

Do I need to replace both phasers?

Not automatically. If only the exhaust side is faulty and the chain is healthy, one phaser is enough. If the chain is stretched too, most shops replace chain, guides, tensioner and both phasers in one go to avoid paying the labor twice.

Sources