P0011 - Intake Camshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced (Bank 1) — How Serious Is It?


P0011 - Intake Camshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced (Bank 1) — How Serious Is It?

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boker27695 posted this 3 weeks ago

Hey all,

I got a P0011 code: “Intake Camshaft Position Timing - Over-Advanced (Bank 1)”. AutoZone told me to:

Check oil level

Make sure I’m using the right oil 0W-20

Something else I didn’t quite catch

I’ve got an appointment Monday after work at White Bear Mitsubishi, but I’d like to drive the car a bit this weekend if possible. The dealership said it’s okay to drive, but I'm still a little nervous.

Anyone dealt with this before? How serious is it, and is there anything I can try myself before my appointment?

Thanks in advance!

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lonom96973 posted this 3 weeks ago

Yeah, that code usually means your camshaft timing is off - often due to oil issues. First thing I’d do is check the oil level and quality. If it’s low or super dirty, that could trigger the code. Changing the oil with the correct 0W-20 might clear it up temporarily.

kebepe3708 posted this 3 weeks ago

Happened to my Outlander last year. Turned out the VVT solenoid was sticking because of old oil sludge. Fresh oil helped, but eventually I had to replace the solenoid. If you’ve been keeping up with oil changes, you’re probably okay to drive for a bit - just don’t push it too hard.

linol74737 posted this 3 weeks ago

White Bear Mitsubishi gave you good advice. As long as the engine isn’t making weird noises or running rough, you should be safe to drive short distances. Just keep an eye on it and avoid long highway trips till they check it out.

yeken44426 posted this 3 weeks ago

You can also try resetting the code after checking the oil, just to see if it comes back right away. If it does, at least you’ll know it’s not a fluke. But yeah, wouldn’t delay that appointment too long.

Henk Reitsma posted this 3 weeks ago

I have an p0011 with my ix35. The garage says they changed the camshaft sensor and its wiring, but the problem still remains. I checked the vvt solenoid myself. It temporarily helped. This afternoon my car pulled my caravan, but I am a little afraid to go on holiday this way. Any advice on this?

xorifac841 posted this 6 days ago

Yeah, P0011 usually means the timing is off on the intake cam, but often it’s just oil-related, not mechanical. The cam phaser relies on clean oil to adjust properly, and if it’s dirty or low, the timing can’t advance or retard the way it should.
I used InCarDoc when mine came up — checked the cam advance angle in real time and it looked kinda “stuck.” Did an oil + filter change (used full synthetic 0W-20), cleared the code, and it never came back.
If your car’s not misfiring or rattling, and the dealership said it’s safe, it should be fine to drive a little. Just try to avoid heavy throttle.