Y2K ZX2 error code?

[marknliz]

Hi, This car is giving me an error code that my book doesn't have. It says "P1381, VCT BANK 1 OVERADVANCED" Thanks, Mark

[zx2srdotnet]

sounds like your VCT silanoid is out of whack, I'd take it to the dealer

[Jet-Lee]

call a dealer with the error code. they can tell you whats wrong.

[marknliz]

Thanks, I don't mind being uninformed but don't want the dealer to know this so can you tell me what a VCT is? Thanks, Mark

[Jet-Lee]

I called a buddy about the code and here are the possibilities he said....

Camshaft Timing Improperly Set
No Oil Flow To Piston Chamber
Low Oil Pressure
Solenoid Stuck Closed
Camshaft Mechanism Binding Up

He said any of those can trigger that specific code. He said to check everything in the order listed. But it soudns mostly like the first, cam timing just set wrong.

[marknliz]

Thanks! The daughter just got the car back because the thrust bearing had been eaten up and had eaten through the crank bearing surface leaving it with a 1/4" or so end to end motion. Sounds like it may be an oil pressure problem.

[zx2srdotnet]

VCT stands for Variable Cam Timing. It is controlled by oil pressure, basically to control valve overlap and help control emissions and help out with gas mileage. A side effect it a better torgue curve, another side effect of VCT is that the ZX2 uses more aggressive cams than the ZX3 and still meets emissions requirements.
The VCT is on the exhaust side (that little plug on your cam cover that has a nylon line like strip connected to it)

VCT was first used on the 99-00 2.0 Contour and Mystique and the Escort ZX2, another version of it is on the SVT Focus but is only used for performance