P0024
Powertrain"B" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 2)
The exhaust camshaft on bank 2 has advanced further than the ECU wants it to, so the variable valve timing on that bank is out of its commanded range. For the owner, this usually shows up as a rough idle and a flat-feeling engine, and the most common reason behind it is oil related rather than a knackered timing chain. On a V6 or V8 layout, bank 2 is just the side of the engine furthest from cylinder 1, so don't read too much into the number.
ⓘ Information only. This page provides general educational information about fault code P0024. We do not assess the urgency or safety implications of any specific fault. That requires in-person diagnosis by a qualified mechanic. Full terms.
Recommended next steps
Whether a fault is urgent, drivable, or routine depends entirely on the cause on a specific vehicle, and that can only be determined by a qualified mechanic with diagnostic equipment. If a warning light is illuminated, the most reliable next step is professional diagnosis.
What does P0024 mean?
P0024 is a Powertrain (engine, transmission, fuel system) fault code. It indicates: "B" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 2).
This is a standardised OBD-II code. The technical definition is the same regardless of the make or model of vehicle, although specific causes and symptoms can vary between vehicles.
Symptoms commonly associated with this code
Symptoms that drivers often report alongside this code. Not all may apply to every case:
- • Engine management light on, sometimes with the engine dropping into limp mode
- • Lumpy idle with the engine rocking on its mounts at a standstill
- • Throttle feels lazy and slow to respond, worst when you ask for power under load
- • Power tails off above 2,000 rpm, noticeable on a motorway slip road or a long hill
- • Harder cold starts and the odd stall when you come to a stop
- • A ticking or rattle from the top end, particularly on a cold start before oil pressure builds
Possible causes
Causes commonly associated with P0024, listed in approximate order of typical investigation. The actual cause on a specific vehicle can only be confirmed by professional diagnosis.
- 1. Sticking or failed VVT solenoid on bank 2, the usual suspect. Carbon and old oil gum it up so it can't bleed pressure off the phaser
- 2. Low oil level or the wrong viscosity oil. The VVT system runs on oil pressure, so if it's low or too thin or thick it can't hold camshaft position
- 3. Blocked oil feed or a clogged VVT filter screen starving the phaser of clean oil. Skipped service intervals are the cause here
- 4. A worn camshaft phaser or actuator that's gone slack internally and can't be pinned in position
- 5. Stretched or jumped timing chain, more common on higher-mileage engines and certain chain-driven units known for it
- 6. Faulty bank 2 camshaft position sensor feeding the ECU a duff signal so it thinks the cam is over-advanced
- 7. Damaged wiring or a corroded connector on the solenoid or sensor circuit, often down by the engine where heat and grime get at it
How mechanics typically diagnose
A typical diagnostic sequence used by mechanics, provided here for educational reference only. Diagnostic work should be performed by a qualified mechanic with the appropriate tools and training.
- 1. Check the oil level and condition before anything else. If it's low, black, sludgy or the wrong grade, top it up or do an oil and filter change and clear the code, then see if it comes back
- 2. Read all stored codes and the freeze frame. Codes like P0021, P0022, P0014 or P0017 alongside it point you towards bank 2 timing and help confirm the picture
- 3. Look at live camshaft position data at idle and on a road test. A cam that won't settle on its commanded angle tells you whether the phaser is actually being controlled
- 4. Pull the bank 2 VVT solenoid and inspect it. Test the resistance, commonly in the 7 to 12 ohm range, and check the screen and plunger aren't gummed up with varnish
- 5. Inspect the wiring and connector to the solenoid and the bank 2 cam sensor for corrosion, chafing or oil contamination
- 6. If oil, solenoid and wiring all check out, you're looking at the chain or phaser. Compare cam and crank correlation and check timing marks line up before condemning anything mechanical
Common questions about P0024
Will my car fail the MOT with a P0024 stored? +
The code on its own isn't a fail, but the MOT tester will fail you if the engine management light is glowing on the dash when they look at it. So if you've fixed the cause, clear the light and drive a few cycles to make sure it stays off before booking the test. If the fault is bad enough to put the car in limp mode, it'll likely fail the emissions and visual checks anyway.
What's the damage cost-wise to put this right? +
It swings massively on the cause. An oil and filter change to fix sticking VVT is £50 to £100. A bank 2 VVT solenoid is usually £150 to £350 fitted at an independent. If it's the camshaft phaser or a stretched timing chain, you're into proper money, £600 to £1,200 at a good independent and well over that at a main dealer once you factor in their labour rates. Always start with the cheap checks before anyone quotes you for a chain.
How do I work out which of these it actually is on my car? +
Start with the oil, since a low level or skipped service causes a big chunk of these and costs nothing to rule out. If the oil's fine, get the solenoid out and inspect it, a gummed-up or failed one is the next most likely and the cheapest real fix. Only after oil, solenoid and wiring are confirmed good should you suspect the chain or phaser, and that's where you want live cam timing data to confirm it rather than guessing.
Can I sort this myself or is it a garage job? +
If it turns out to be the oil or the VVT solenoid, a competent home mechanic can do both. The solenoid is often a single bolt and a connector once you can reach it, though access on some V-engine banks is tight. What you can't sensibly DIY is the diagnosis of an intermittent sensor or any timing chain work, that needs a scan tool reading live data and the right kit to lock the engine timing.
Information only, not professional advice
The information on this page is provided for general guidance and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for diagnosis or repair advice from a qualified mechanic. Always verify any fault before paying for repairs. carfaultcodes.co.uk accepts no liability for decisions made based on this information. Full terms →