Popped a P0012 code

[Captainstr8edge]

So my car has been acting a bit funny lately. It about 2 weeks ago (haven't done any recent work) driving on the highway I noticed a slight bucking on a little acceleration. It stopped for a little while after I filled up a couple times so I thought it might have been bad gas. Well, it came back earlier this week and last night on my way home it was much worse briefly when I was leaving work. This morning it finally popped the P0012 code. I took tomorrow off so I could try and diagnose.Based on info from another thread the first thing I'm going to do is pull the valve cover off and take out the VCT solenoid to inspect it. If i can't see anything wrong I'm going to swap them and see if it follows.

Is there anything else I should be on the lookout for while I have the cover off?

The wost part is its going to be cold and fucking suck because I have to do it all outside in 20 degree weather with a slight chance of snow...

 

[eighty6gt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufj-7YNGLtk

Interesting.

 

[Captainstr8edge]

^^ I don't have an oil pressure gauge. are they expensive? how would I hook it up?

 

[eighty6gt]

Cheap. There's probably a pipe thread port near the oil filter.

 

[Captainstr8edge]

So I replaced the vct solenoid today. Haven't been on the highway yet buy so far it seems to be much better. I did buy an oil gauge in case it happens again. I will probably buy a nice autometer next week to put in my gauge pod. My intercooler water temp gauge isn't even hooked up anyway. Fingers crossed when I take her to work tomorrow. Thanks for the help.

 

[eighty6gt]

I wouldn't put off installing that gauge. Engines have been saved and lost diagnosing the flaky oiling system in these cars.

 

[Captainstr8edge]

yeah, I will probably be ordering a good one this weekend. Probably won't install it until its a bit warmer out though.