Hello,
Subaru Crosstrek 2014 Limited 130k miles Code P000A
P000A Camshaft Slow Response Bank 1
Code popped up and car would just burn through oil with it getting dangerously low (not my car). Added oil and replaced the 2 intake Camshaft Solenoids as well as the PCV valve which were not looking good. PCV was leaking and top left solenoid had gritty burnt on oil. It will idle rough ONLY when in drive, like it wants to stall. Behaves normally when in park. My next thought is the oil pump but what would burn oil up that much to the point of this rough idle and code of P000A. Could the idle sensor also be possible?
Some Subaru engines around that time were manufactured with defective piston rings. Do a wet/dry compression test to check internal condition of the engine.
Camshaft Solenoids as well as the PCV valve
According to the internet:
Usually the first two things to fail because of bad oil service are the tensioner and VVT sprocket.
The VVT solenoids on these are usually decent.
Link to image of how the VVT response works on Subaru:
the oil pump but what would burn oil
Oil pumps do not burn oil.
It will idle rough ONLY when in drive,
Reset codes and try re-leaning idle, that might help.
First, change the oil and filter and reset the code. About burning oil, listen to @chucktobias.
This might help:
https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/p000a-code.542497/
Oil flow control solenoid. $100 from Subaru, $40 everywhere else. Fresh, clean oil and filter at every 5K miles max.
