Variocam thoughts and questions

[sfkjeld]

Thought I’d update my 1341 CEL issue. After spending nearly $2k trying to solve the issue, I gave up. Either I can smog the car for another 2 years or I sell as a parts car. I’ve been driving the car nearly daily since I last chimed in. The car still runs beautifully despite one cam 6 degrees off. The CEL is thrown in exactly the same pattern. Only when the car is fully warmed up and only during City driving. I can still jump on the freeway and drive to LA without throwing the CEL.

As it turns out, I need another CA smog cert this April. The plan is to return to S Car Go in San Rafael. They got the car smogged last spring. Evidently, the smog test itself does not trigger a CEL. The shop obviously can clear the CEL and set the drive cycle readings. So am hoping it’ll still pass.

Finally, I am really amazed the car can run so well with the cam timing so far off. Wouldn’t being off by 6 degrees cause a symptom? Backfiring? Performance issues?