Fraserb

Hi all just had the belt changed on my st170 it's done 56k miles. Belt was changed and after about three miles driving sounded tappety and through up the above code. My mate who is an ex ford tech did the belt took it back to his work checked it all re timed it had another guy who still works for ford double check it and it was fine. A week later an after about 70 miles it's thrown the same code P1381 - Variable Cam Timing Overadvanced (Bank #1) but it sounds fine and is driving fine. Anyone got any ideas?

Fraserb

Anyone?

JOHNDQ

Could be a problem with the VVC unit has the car had a lack of oil changes

Cossie Sean

the vvt pulley should have been changed aswell mate

i always change them together

Fraserb

No it has full history and been maintained regardless of cost

Fraserb

Right folks have had the timing checked and its ok, light goes out and stays out, booted hell out it light stayed off. Had a drive about went for petrol. Started the car after filling up light went out, got about 50 yards and light came back on. Any ideas anyone? It's doing my head in

louis_2012

Common fault. Google the fault code and you will see. Take the bulb out lol pieces of shit.

leebroath

I had this mate and the engine light was on

Took the garage a few attempts but ended up fixing it

They said it was just out by the tinniest amount, this was enough to put the light on

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

As said, it sounds like the VVT.

Martin

gingerturbo

iTrader: (2)

Have ya removed the centre bolt at any stage when doing the cambelt, how stretched was the old belt as it may have bin timed up last time with a stretched belt

Sp3no

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like your Ford tech cut corners and didnt undo the VVT pully. Plenty of people will tell you that you dont need to but they are just lazy and been lucky that it never came on.

Fraserb

All sorted timing was the tiniest of fractions out but sorted now

Taz1

Owned a Clio 182 from new and then somebody drove into it.. With my pay-out I went for a ST170. Been very lucky in so much as my car has not been messed with, or tampered with, in any way shape or form. Being a methodical type of person I've replaced all the servicable items, most recentley the cam-belt. If you have followed instructions to the letter and are getting the dreaded p1381 or p1383 code I would say don't panic! I got p1381 and this was after apparently timing the car up spot-on. I adjusted it today by the smallest ammount and light went out - drove like a dream. Anybody want any details let me know and I will do my best to help. From what I can see there is not a lot that can go wrong with the VVT pulley, it's just a matter of setting it up right.

Toni-Lee

Im also having probs with this fault on an ST170, so far its had a new VVT pulley, cam belt & fuel pump (all done by a Ford garage) and its still showing the same fault. They're now looking at the valves! can some1 please help before I need a mortgage 2 pay 4 it all! If it wasn't 4 the fact that its 'mommy's special soldier' I'd have taken the bulb out and part ex'd it!

Thanks

Toni-Lee x

LeeBee

Details would be great, I know this post is a year old but any help would be greatly appreciated, did my cambelt today, runs like a dream, but unfortunately after a test drive the EML came on, no codes on the onboard diagnostic, but I know that it doesn't show many on the onboard. I'm guessing it's to do with the vvt, as ive read that when fitting a new belt you need to slacken both of the pulleys, but also read that you shouldn't touch the inlet as it can mess the vvt. So I played it safe and didn't loosen the inlet. Going to loosen both pulleys tomorrow hoping the problem was that I didn't slacken the inlet.

Taz1

As you say it's been over a year! I can't remember the exact details but you need to follow the workshop manual to the letter - DO NOT cut corners. What I can remember is that after using a Ford pin to lock the crank and a Ford bar to lock the cams I tightened everything up, removed pin and bar, turned the engine a few times by hand and the checked that the pin and bar would fit at TDC. They did and upon reassembly the car started and ran fine for five minutes or so, next the EML lit up and it went into limp mode. When I looked at the timing all seemed to be good but I did notice there was a small amount of play when pin and bar were in place. I was able to make a minute adjustment towards being more advanced - I think on the inlet side - and the EML has not been on again to this day.

LeeBee

Cheers, I'm sorted now. I just put it to TDC, slackened both pulleys, and re tightened them, problem solved. It was out by such a small amount it ran fine. If it wasn't for the light you would never have known it was out.

Taz1

Glad you're sorted. It seems to throw a lot of people - including myself! You would not think a fraction of a degree would make that sort of difference.

tsutton

Sorry to bring this up but...

Does the engine need to be out of the mount to access the pulleys, or will the top area from the bonnet be good enough to do this?

Cheers!