Will a P0012 stop me?

[Parks Junkie]

'08 V6, 4.0

Arggg. On vacation, ~1300 miles into a projected 4K+, on it's maiden voyage, well in terms of a long trip, the infamous Check Engine light came on.

Stored: P0012 Intake Camshaft Position Timing - Over-Retarded (Bank 1)

Came on for a couple hundred miles yesterday, was off this morning. I did not reset it, I just read it. It seemed to run just the same when the light was on.

Anyway, I know absolute statements are hard to make, but is this something that might leave me dead in the water, not running? I'll address it in time if it returns, but I'd rather not do it a thousand miles from home, with virtually no tools with me.

Freeze frame below,

Stored:
P0012 Intake Camshaft Position Timing - Over-Retarded (Bank 1)

Pending:
P0012 Intake Camshaft Position Timing - Over-Retarded (Bank 1)

MIL ON
MisFire Monitor Complete
Fuel System Monitor Complete
Comprehensive Component Monitor Complete
Catalyst Monitor Complete
Heated Catalyst Monitor Not Supported
Evaporative System Monitor Complete
Secondary Air System Monitor Not Supported
A/C System Refrigerant Monitor Not Supported
Oxygen Sensor Monitor Complete
Oxygen Sensor Heater Monitor Complete
EGR System Monitor Not Supported

DTC For Which Freeze Frame Was Stored P0012
Fuel System 1 Status Closed Loop
Fuel System 2 Status Closed Loop
Calculated LOAD Value 56.47 %
Engine Coolant Temperature 186.8 °F
Short Term Fuel Trim - Bank 1 -3.13 %
Long Term Fuel Trim - Bank 1 2.34 %
Short Term Fuel Trim - Bank 2 -2.34 %
Long Term Fuel Trim - Bank 2 5.47 %
Engine RPM 1858.50 rpm
Vehicle Speed Sensor 60.6 mph
Ignition Timing Advance for #1 Cylinder 23.00 deg
Intake Air Temperature 87.8 °F
Air Flow Rate from Mass Air Flow Sensor 2.326 lb/min
Absolute Throttle Position 22.35 %
Oxygen Sensor Output Voltage (B1-S2) 0.74 V
Short Term Fuel Trim (B1-S2) 99.22 %
Oxygen Sensor Output Voltage (B3-S2) 0.66 V
Short Term Fuel Trim (B3-S2) 99.22 %
Time since engine start 722 sec

 

[Cezar]

Just a guess.

The VVT actuator went bad. I Think I had this same issue (though I feel like your car has another newer revision of VVT so take this with a grain of salt).

It was like ten years ago so I can't recall the code but I had a CEL and a timing error code to go with it. I replaced the actuator, which I recall being rather easy like two bolts and immediately noticed the car had a lot more acceleration from a stop.

If that's the case, then I think you'll just lose some performance I don't think it can damage anything. I drove around for a very long time with my issue.

As far as I know the only other thing that can affect timing other than VVT is a timing chain issue but those tend to be longer term problems and they get noisy before they skip a tooth.

 

[Parks Junkie]

Thanks, that's along the lines of what I was guessing. Just under 150K on it so I doubt timing chain issues. The light did go away on it's own and I've certainly had one off codes before, hoping that's what this will be. I just really, I mean really, don't want to break down a thousand miles from home.