"Pop" and then she died...PO343....sound familiar?

[GreggT]

OK.....we've been trying trouble shoot this over this past week....any thoughts very welcome.

O2 C4 Cab......well maintained, excellent condition......my wife was driving last week and heard a 'pop' and car died in the middle of the street. I arrived and was able to fire her up for a minute....very rough, like she's on 3 cylinders.....but got her off the road.

My code reader only showed a PO343 code. Shop looked at that cam position sensor, thought good reason to replace and did.....but she's still not firing on the 1-3 bank side......plugs are good...nothing else jumps out.

Thoughts we have at this point are variable valve timing or valve lift control........but golly, from a car that's been running perfect it's hard to understand what it is that would come up and bite me like this.

Here she is when she was able to get around on all 6 :)

Edited September 28, 2006 by GreggT

[Loren]

The OBD II manual says for P0343 to repair the wiring harness.

"Check signal wire from DME control module, Pin III/12, to CMP sensor for short to B+.

Connect special tool 9637 to wiring harness (DME control module plug)

- Remove connector of CMP sensor 1

- Switch on the ignition

- Measure voltage between special tool 9637 Pin III/12 and ground

0 V is ok. If not 0V repair the wiring harness.

[GreggT]

Thanks Loren.......with the fellas at Kelly Moss Motorsports we're tracking more in the direction of a mechanical explanation.......probably check cylinder by cylinder, maybe pull that valve cover.......I'll update if we come across any other ideas or solutions.

I could add, for what it's worth......I had mentioned 'the plugs are fine'.......well they are now cause we replaced them, but they were badly fouled.....and that had only taken 4 months and 3,000 miles (when they were last replaced).......puzzling.

Thanks again

Edited September 28, 2006 by GreggT

[GreggT]

Darn M96 engines.

The 'pop' was the timing chain.........we are finding pieces of same.........1,2,3 left cam shaft not turning.

I'd say at 37K and 11months out of warranty I'm shopping for an engine. :cursing:

Edited October 2, 2006 by GreggT

[Loren]

Sorry to hear that. I wonder what happened to the cam chain. Seems ususal on these cars (but fairly common on older (air-cooled) cars).