I was driving down the road and without warning the car started to make a horrid rattle sound (like hydraulic lifters failing from lack of oil) and the car stalled. It would not start and was towed back to my place.

Check engine is on and a single PO341 error is on scanner.

The car turns over but no attempt to fire.

When I got the car it had skipped a tooth or two on the timing belt after the tensioner failed and was exhibiting the same turning no firing symptoms.

Opened the front of engine and checked the timing. It is still timed correctly.
Have spark at plugs.

If I clear the code and turn the engine over (even briefly) the PO341 code returns. The sensor is stupid expensive for some reason and I really cant afford to replace it right now unless it is certain that it is the cause.

Any other things I should check? Can it be tested in place or if removed?


Thanks in advance.

 

I would get a compression check. That will tell you quick if there is engine damage.

 

Ok here is something strange... 50 psi in all 4 cylinders? If I had a bent valve it should be 0 psi and certainly not even across the board like that.

Since the timing appears to be correct, is it possible that the CVVT cam is jammed open and that is effecting stroke time (less compression) ?

Thinking since the CPS is on the same cam then that could explain both PO341 and low compression.

Any thoughts?

 

Did you simply crank the engine to do the test or try starting? Try doing a retest with the throttle body propped wide open to make sure the pistons can suck the air in... You can also do a leak down test which pushes air into the cylinder to see where it comes out (ie adjacent plug means a head gasket issue, exhaust is the valve or cam timing/lift, intake is cam timing/lift. I'd never pass up a trip to my local Harbor Freight store jejeje.

 

Pulling the belt off and resetting from scratch. All indicators seem to point to the timing being off one tooth and either the intake stroke is being choked or the exhaust is opening early. This would account for both the CPS error and the low uniform compression.

Looking like Saturday will be the big day.