GS 450H 2006 CAMSHAFT CHIPPED P0340

[LexGs450h]

Hi all, have broken down 11 miles from home today. CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, CHECK VSC, CHECK ECB. Called AA he came and run diagnostic code appear to be 0340. Took camshaft out and it is chipped! Car starts but but shuts after 3-4sec and doesn't sound smooth. Can this be chain tensioner? Any other ideas or can someone share contacts with a decent mechanic who would. Should I first try buyng new sensor? I'm based in Eastbourne East Sussex, but willing to get recovery for the right garage. Please help, thank you

[Linas.P]

This is quite unusual problem, so quite hard to advise over the internet. What is for sure - something had to impact sensor physically for it to get damaged like this and that can't be good (snapped chain, broken tensioner or some lose piece of debris in the engine). This is unless somebody was changing the sensor and dropped it or used second hand sensor which came damaged (stuff like this happens, but it would be lucky and I would not count on that). And for the same reason just replacing crankshaft sensor (without further inspection) would not be advisable. 

In either case I would advise not to attempt to start the engine, try to inspect what is happening under chain cover - perhaps use borescope via sensor hole, turn engine with wrench by hand, then check what is in the oil and in oil filter, metal shaving in the engine would most likely mean it is scrap. Less bad would be if chain tensioner broke, so it is just hard plastic, but still means oil pan and chain cover out, inspecting all the parts and making sure that noting else is damaged and there is no debris left. In either case removing oil pan and chain cover would be necessary, otherwise it would be gamble.

Sadly I can't advise on any good independent specialist, avoid chain Halfords, kwikfit and similar, Lexus is good but very expensive. Perhaps somebody more local to you could advise better.

Good luck

[LexGs450h]

Thank you Linas, much appreciated your detailed answer that at least made me understand the situation and possible issues and the price it could reach..

I still hoping to find a mechanic who would take this job. So if anyone have any recommendations please send it forward.

Thank you Linas one more time

[Lwerewolf]

Have you had an excessive rattling right at startup for awhile?

[LexGs450h]

I did, but that's not the case I think

[Lwerewolf]

You won't be the first with a car that can't start/run due to a "rattled to disassembly" vvt-i mechanism (read: bolts down the oil pan). I would at least take the cam cover off* to see what the inside look like.

*you did mention having pulled the camshaft out but the "chipped" part shown is the sensor, so...

[steve2006]

Something has hit the sensor and the timing chain is the chief suspect, how many miles has the car done?

Personally I wouldn’t crank it over without stripping the covers off to allow a more detailed examination of the chain, tensioners and cam gears. The first concern is where the missing sensor tip has gone!

[LexGs450h]

Yes steve I'm also concerned about it. Still looking who will take covers off, drain the oil and get me proper diagnose and possible quote. 

Really frustrating..