My 2008 g35 suddenly started running rough (misfires I believe) with a flashing SES light so I took it in immediately. My indie pulled codes P0021 and P0300. They checked the VVT on bank 2 and said it was faulty so they replaced it. After getting the car back I took it for a ride and got it up to around 80MPH. Checked for codes and there are none. I've read that this code usually means the dreaded gasket issue in the timing cover. Is it possible that my problem was solely caused by the bad VVT? Also, I ran my VIN through a VIN checker and it appears I have a VQ35HR engine. Is this the one prone to the gasket issue? I have around 86,000 miles on it. Runs great!

 

It's more likely that your VVT code was caused by the random misfire. Fix the P0300 first.

For the future, P0021 doesn't mean "cam solenoid" that would be code P0075/P0081. P0021 just means that the ECM is sending a pulse width to the cam solenoid and the cam sensor is sending back an unexpected value. Either because of the solenoid not functioning properly, or the cam actuator gear not functioning properly (usually low oil pressure) or the cam sensor not functioning properly.

However since your engine was MISFIRING when this happened the actual problem was likely the misfire P0300.

Start by pulling and inspecting all your plugs, if they have more than 60k miles on them or if you don't know how many miles are on them just replace them all. Inspect the coil packs for damage while you're changing the plugs.

 

They checked the VVT solenoid and found it to be faulty so they replaced it. So far it seems to have worked. Just hoping that this isn't a precursor to the gaskets blowing. From researching I think my engine has the paper ones. Then again it's not a rev-up so maybe I don't need to worry about the gasket issue?

 

You have the HR engine, they all came with the paper galley gaskets.

I wouldn't worry about it for the time being though since your problem was resolved with a new cam actuator.

Just a random guess but for every 100 HR engines probably only 1-2 actually blow the galley gaskets. It's a high failure % but you have a much better chance of your engine just running normally.

 

Thanks for the input cleric670. I don't work on my vehicles but come here to gain as much knowledge as I can.

 

Nothing wrong with that, I've never actually met anyone that ENJOYED greasy paws, it's more of the sense of accomplishment of doing it yourself.

The more you know about your car the better you can describe problems to the mechanic and help point them in the correct direction to troubleshoot. The owner drives the vehicle every day, the mechanic only drives it for about 15 minutes.

 

🙋‍♂️ I enjoy getting my hands dirty, more often than not its on a friends car to save them the stealership costs. Just did a pad and rotor change out on my sister in laws car because the stealership wanted $720 for both axles, I did it for cost of parts and a 6-Pack (about $200 total). I think what you mean is you've never met someone who enjoyed having to get their hands dirty. I love getting to, I hate having to.

 

I'll try brakes, clean throttle bodies and other peripheral stuff like MAF sensors if I'm sure I know what the problem is. I wouldn't even consider something as deep as the gallery gasket job. I recognize my limits.

 

Nothing wrong with that. I'm actually dreading doing mine. I have all the stuff on hand, just need the time and an extra set of hands.