Engine cranks but does not start, codes P0008, P0016, P0017, P0300, P0301, P0303, P0305 and P0497?

EL COYOTE'

MEMBER
2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE
6.3L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
145,000 MILES

This is my son's car. Purchased in August, '23. He stopped at the grocery store and the car wouldn't start again. It has stored the following codes: P0008, P0016, P0017, P0300, P0301, P0303, P0305, P0497. Multiple listings of the same codes-some are stored, some are pending, and some are permanent. The engine will crank over and act like it is firing but no starting. I know this engine family has issues with stretched timing chains. Some of the codes seem to indicate a timing issue.
It is almost impossible for me to get to the crankshaft sensor as I have no lift to get the car in the air. I suspect it could be a failure but until I can get to it, I'm stuck trying to determine the reason the vehicle won't start. As a side note but one, I think might contribute to the issue is this: Previous owner had new tires installed at 121,000 miles and they are not the right size. The correct size is supposed to be 255/65R18. The ones that are on it are 225/60R18. My son is trying to save money up to get the correct size put on. I am thinking this could be a contributing factor affecting various computer controlled items such as engine rpm, speedometer, ABS system, etc.

3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,924 POSTS

I don't think the tires size will matter with such a small difference as long as all tires are the same size. Also, I can tell if the engine is hurt or not if you upload a short video with your phone of the engine cranking over. You can upload it here with your response, it will save us a lot of time. Here is what the codes mean:

P0008: This code is related to the engine's mechanical timing. It may indicate that the timing chain has stretched or there is an issue with the timing chain tensioners or guides. This can lead to misalignment of the crankshaft and camshaft positions.

P0016 and P0017: These codes are also related to the timing of the engine. P0016 refers to an issue with the correlation between the crankshaft and the camshaft position on bank 1, while P0017 refers to the same issue on bank 2. This could be a result of the problems indicated by P0008.

P0300: This is a generic code indicating a random/multiple misfires detected.

P0301, P0303, P0305: These codes indicate misfires in cylinders 1, 3, and 5, respectively.

P0497: This code indicates a low purge flow in the Evaporative Emission System (EVAP). This might be related to a vacuum leak, a faulty purge valve, or other issues in the EVAP system.

So, this does point to the timing chain and at 145k it is the season for it. If you don't want to load a video a compression test can tell us as well, please follow these two guides:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-not-running-advanced

Please go over these guides and get back to us.