[Charbalily]

Hello - I've searched high and low regarding this code and this the HF L7Y motor. I can not find a thing regarding just this code showing up. Historically it's been dirty oil. Now, oil is changed and it's still on. However today, while driving, the car felt like it took a jump and is now rough running. It will start, idle hard, it shakes, but once you get t o 45 it's smooth sailing, then again just over 50 it shakes again. Like a broken motor mount type shake. Has a full tank of high octane gas and some injector cleaner in it right now.

I know 0017 is camshaft and crankshaft position sensor and could also be the VVT solenoid. I've been told timing chains, but this car those down twice since I've owned it (bought it brand new) and everything I can find regarding the chains all have multiply codes throw. I am only getting the P0017, every now and then it will say too rich. If I take the gas cap off and put it back on that code clears itself out.

Anyone with any experience with just this code, not this code and others at the same time, but just this one. Could there be sludge in the oil? Should I have the oil treated or replace the VVT Solenoid and then the oil treated?

Any help would be much appreciated it and no it's is not going into low power mode at all. It's just sputtering like a plugged injector or bad plug.

 

[boomer]

No personal experience, but I note two items in the service manual. Maybe they will help.

 

[Charbalily]

No personal experience, but I note two items in the service manual. Maybe they will help.

the VVT Solenoid is what I was looking at replacing next. When the oil was changed the cap had a little sludge to it, so I'm wondering if that Solenoid is plugged - which is referenced in your second document as the actuator. But everything I've searched and reference all the issues are on other models and nothing for the L7Y in the GXP, it's all been acadia, Saturn, and a few others. I know the motor for the G6 came out of St Cat's, while the other were from Spring Hill. Timing Chains were done a long time ago when the dealer had the motor apart over Cylinder 1 Misfire, which is chronic in this car. My understanding is timing chain stretched will throw multiply codes. I can't find a single thing for just this car, with this motor, and just the 0017 code. Nothing...

 

[Charbalily]

and this car will start and run... it's idle is about 600 rpm, which I don't even recall it being that low. It doesn't feel like it's about to stall, it is just idling very quietly with a little shimmy to it.

 

[rockinlespaul]

The LY7(not L7Y)high feature engine is notorious for timing chains. It's important to clean as much of that sludge out that you can. If the cap had sludge, it must be pretty bad. I would probably be looking at changing that actuator although I think it would be worth taking it in to have a pro diagnose it.

I had a cylinder#1 misfire and plugs and wires took care of it. Mine is a 09 GT with the 3.5 though. My G8 has the LY7. Keep us updated on what you find out.

 

[DaggerG6]

Hello - I've searched high and low regarding this code and this the HF L7Y motor. I can not find a thing regarding just this code showing up. Historically it's been dirty oil. Now, oil is changed and it's still on. However today, while driving, the car felt like it took a jump and is now rough running. It will start, idle hard, it shakes, but once you get t o 45 it's smooth sailing, then again just over 50 it shakes again. Like a broken motor mount type shake. Has a full tank of high octane gas and some injector cleaner in it right now.

I know 0017 is camshaft and crankshaft position sensor and could also be the VVT solenoid. I've been told timing chains, but this car those down twice since I've owned it (bought it brand new) and everything I can find regarding the chains all have multiply codes throw. I am only getting the P0017, every now and then it will say too rich. If I take the gas cap off and put it back on that code clears itself out.

Anyone with any experience with just this code, not this code and others at the same time, but just this one. Could there be sludge in the oil? Should I have the oil treated or replace the VVT Solenoid and then the oil treated?

Any help would be much appreciated it and no it's is not going into low power mode at all. It's just sputtering like a plugged injector or bad plug.

I’ve got the same exact year, make and model and it’s the worst vehicle I have ever owned and I’ve had some shitty cars. I think I’ve had every light possible show up on my dash and I’ve only had it a little over a year. I’m about to the point that I’d pay someone to take it.

 

[Raydar]

How often to you change your oil? I have heard people say that the oil should be changed at about half the recommended interval, for that engine. If it's sludged up, it's not happy. Do you make a lot of short trips, where the engine doesn't have time to get good and warmed up?
To directly answer your question, I was going to suggest timing chains, before you said they had been done. The cam phaser is a reasonable guess, though. Our trailblazer (different engine but similar setup) used to have cam issues when the oil needed changing.
Are you using the correct weight oil? Heavier oil will cause cam phasing issues, too. At least it did in my case.

 

[sDog4127]

Hello - I've searched high and low regarding this code and this the HF L7Y motor. I can not find a thing regarding just this code showing up. Historically it's been dirty oil. Now, oil is changed and it's still on. However today, while driving, the car felt like it took a jump and is now rough running. It will start, idle hard, it shakes, but once you get t o 45 it's smooth sailing, then again just over 50 it shakes again. Like a broken motor mount type shake. Has a full tank of high octane gas and some injector cleaner in it right now. I know 0017 is camshaft and crankshaft position sensor and could also be the VVT solenoid. I've been told timing chains, but this car those down twice since I've owned it (bought it brand new) and everything I can find regarding the chains all have multiply codes throw. I am only getting the P0017, every now and then it will say too rich. If I take the gas cap off and put it back on that code clears itself out. Anyone with any experience with just this code, not this code and others at the same time, but just this one. Could there be sludge in the oil? Should I have the oil treated or replace the VVT Solenoid and then the oil treated? Any help would be much appreciated it and no it's is not going into low power mode at all. It's just sputtering like a plugged injector or bad plug.

This sounds exactly like a cam timing issue. I know you said timing chains have been done twice? This is a huge job and should last 100K miles, so that’s why I question if the chains have truly been replaced. New chains (3), tensioners, and guides need to be replaced as a set. If not the timing will not stay in correct phase. Will can cause a code P0017 long before it runs rough. Running rough and code 17… you need to scan it to watch camshaft position and verify cam timing is correct. If you have this code 17 it is bad cam timing or (very unlikely) a bad sensor. incorrect cam timing can be caused by: -clogged up/bad camshaft phaser solenoid -stretched timing chain (70k mile +) -low oil pressure. this engine needs adequate oil pressure to keep tension on the timing chains. If it gets low or really dirty the tensioners will relax and any one of the 4 cam sprockets can jump a tooth and be out of time. depending on oil change intervals, the timing chains wear out. They are very long, and a little west on each chain roller, sprocket, and guides adds up to extra length on the chain. The tensioners compensate, but eventually the chain wear out too long and no longer keeps both cams in sync. I strongly suggest you physically check the cam timing (remove valve covers and verify timing marks line up. It’s a bit of work to do this, but it’s needed to verify. This a characteristic of these “High Feature” V6 engines. They have a complicated drive chain system to turn the camshafts. They are long chains and since the cams are variable they are sensitive to monitor the cam timing. Any neglect of maintenance or just high mileage will ultimately end up with a need to replace all timing component’s, and most times long before the motor is worn out. They have since 2010 updated the parts, and advised earlier oil change intervals to fix the problem. I really believe this is your issue, especially if the code is coming on and going off. This tells me it’s just at the edge of failing all the time, which is usually because of worn chains and guides. It’s about a $2K job at a reputable shop. Just FYI. I did my own in my garage over the course of a week. It is a moderate to expert level DIYer job. If I’d do it again, I would remove my engine/trans carriage. Not much space to do the work while it’s in the car. Best Luck!