2013 Chevrolet Cruze 1.8L F18DA engine. I'm chasing a P0016 code and have been dealing with it for a while now. I have replaced the timing belt, tensioner, and idler, and verified the timing multiple times—it is perfectly aligned. I also replaced both camshaft gears, serviced the VVT solenoids, and the camshaft sensors, but the problem remains.
The engine runs well with full power and no loss of performance. However, after sitting overnight, it takes about five attempts to start. Once it starts, the idle is unstable, both when the engine is cold and when it's hot. The P0016 code keeps returning.
I have replaced the timing belt, tensioner, and idler, and verified the timing multiple times—it is perfectly aligned. I also replaced both camshaft gears, serviced the VVT solenoids, and the camshaft sensors, but the problem remains.
Were those parts actually bad? Were OEM replacements from a trustworthy source nstalled? (Note that eBay and Amazon are notorious for cheap knockoff parts as well as such parts being sold as counterfeit OEM.)
It looks like the closest we have in our usual source for diagnostic information is the 2012 Cruze 1.8. However the 2013 model only had a mild facelift over 2012 and the timing components the same from 2010-2015, so this information should be pertinent:
Yes all was genuine chevy timing kit parts. All the other parts I just service.