Codes P0016 and P0017, possible fuel problem?

Tiny
RONDAJO24
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE
  • 3.6L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 210,000 MILES
So kind of a lengthy story. A few months ago, the alternator went out, put a new one in no problem. A few weeks ago it died while driving on the freeway, pulled the alternator got another new one under warranty (though they didn't check the old one, so I don't know if it was actually bad or not). It's jumped made a weird knock noise a couple times then died again. I ended up replacing the battery which was pretty eroded. And the Map sensor. So, here's the question/problem. When I go to start it, I can hear the fuel pump engage. The engine turns over. It will run on its own, makes a loud intermittent knocking, then dies after about 10 seconds. If I try to restart it, the fuel pump does not engage, if I give it enough gas it will turn over, but I have to keep my foot on the gas, or it shuts off. But when it starts without the fuel pump engaging, it doesn't make the knocking sound. What could this be? It does have 2 codes, p0016 and p0017.
Wednesday, November 8th, 2023 AT 8:53 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,200 POSTS
Hi,

First, make sure the engine oil is clean and full. What I believe we are hearing is related to the camshaft actuator solenoid valve. It could also be a timing chain-related issue.

Don't rev the engine too high but see if the noise is loudest at the front left side of the engine. I attached a pic below showing the location of the actuator. See if that is where the noise comes from. Only, if possible, safely feel around the valve cover on the same side to see if you feel the knock.

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.
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Wednesday, November 8th, 2023 AT 8:11 PM
Tiny
RONDAJO24
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hello! And thanks for your reply. It's difficult to tell for sure, but the sound appears to be coming from maybe the manifold. I drew a white arrow on the picture. It's tough to tell for sure but it's definitely from that area, and not from the side where the camshaft actuator solenoid valve is.
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Thursday, November 9th, 2023 AT 5:27 PM
Tiny
RONDAJO24
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Additionally, the oil and filter were changed a month and a half ago, it was about a quart low when it stopped working a few weeks ago, and I topped it off at that time.
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Thursday, November 9th, 2023 AT 5:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,200 POSTS
Hi,

This vehicle does have a high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP). There is a supply fuel pump in the fuel tank. It sends fuel to the high-pressure pump which is located on the rear of the left cylinder head. See pic 1 below. If I recall, the pump and high-pressure fuel lines are protected with a shield, so that will need to be removed for inspection.

The HPFP is actuated by the camshaft at the top of the cylinder head and under the valve cover. See if you can tell if that is where the sound is coming from. Now that I think of it, the pump at first sounds like it may be sticking. When you rev the engine, it is likely smacking off the cam lobe. It may have damaged the cam, so we may need to remove the valve cover to inspect the cam.

Try to locate the pump. See if the sound is loudest in that area.

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below. I tried to find as many pics as possible to help locate it. Pic 3 shows the cover. The thermostat housing may also be in the way of the pump.
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Thursday, November 9th, 2023 AT 8:57 PM

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