P0022 VVT-i Problems (Toyota told me 3k in repairs)

Hello all

My 2006 Toyota Tacoma just rolled over 100,000 miles. Around the same time I had code P0022 come up and the truck began to run rough at idle. The code states "Camshaft timing over-retarded"

According to my searching on here, it's a problem with the Variable Valve Timing (VVT).

I brought it by Toyota to see if they could take a look at the OCV (Oil Control Valve) for the VVT. They said they checked it and it was fine, and they said that it is most likely a problem with the timing chain itself.

They quoted me $700 teardown time just to check if that's the case, and over $3,000 in repairs if there actually is a problem with the timing chain.

My questions now are:

Is there any chance that they completely ignored the OCV and they are just trying to scam me out of $3,000?

Can I ignore it and drive it the way it is?

Is there any chance the timing could cause the valves to crash into each-other or crash into the piston?

 

@Tacoma Mike, I figured you might be able to give some insight on this.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oil-control-valve-location.270960/page-1

If Toyota Service will not do the work prescribed here ^^^ then I would suggest you find an independent service station to perform the work correctly the first time as described!

 

Get another opinion.

 

Great
Throw me under the bus... Lol
Check your oil level.
More than once I fixed that code with adding 2 quarts to a low level.
Techs use the computer to run the vvti controller.
They can see the results.
It everything checks out then you can try to clean the screens and replace the vvti controller.
Just because it tests good doesn't mean it is all the time.
We start seeing this over 100,000 miles.
Rarely it is a controller but I always ask how far they want to go with it.
It's a long time consuming pita.
If you are tearing down the engine to change the vvti unit your sure as heck should be changing
Both and chains, guides etc.
Do it once cause if I recommend it and you decline and 3 weeks later the other bank acts up your paying again.

It won't clash valves. Until the chain breaks if the vvti is flopping.
If the engine is noisey at times in the vvti area then I would be saving pennies and not driving.

 

Picture of the screen location? A lot of people are unfamiliar with that component, and where to find it on the heads.

 

Post #3 has a link to pages of this and locations for you

 

In case anyone isn't mechanically inclined and has to go to the dealership for this -- $648 (tax inc) was my bill for replacing the OCV

 

Small update: Been driving it since that day. 6 months and 12,000 miles later, it's still running. Still got the same vibration throughout the whole truck when at idle RPM's.

If I've gone this far with it the way it is, I should be fine