‘08 Jimny Rough Idle

Hey guys,

I’m new to the forum and a new jimny owner, so sorry if I seem a bit green.

I’ve recently bought a late ‘08 Jimny with an M13A VVT. The previous owner had the head redone due to a blown gasket, and he also blanked off the EGR which is why it’s got an EML.

I’ve been driving it a bit recently and noticed that when the engine is cold, it idles pretty alright. But when it’s been driven a while and up to temp, it idles extremely rough when I’ve stopped at a set of lights, almost feels like it’ll stall but it never does. You can also kind of smell a bit of exhaust through the aircon when it happens.

I cleared the DTC’s and scanned again when the EML came back on after a few drive cycles and it came up with a P0401(probably due to the EGR blanking) and a P0011 code.

I’ve got a few ideas to the cause due to other topics I’ve read, but just wanted some opinions from other owners for the causes of the rough idling. If there’s more symptoms needed, I’d be glad to provide info.

Thanks!
P.S. I’ve uploaded a video of the idle, hopefully the sound comes through
https:/drive.google.com/file/d/1iBwpUsGUAKcHORGqUJzyu9Ut35q9c7eC/view?usp=drivesdk

It sounds as if the fuelling is off.  Is the lambda sensor switching?  It will be ok when warming up as it runs open loop according to a preset fuel map.

Thanks for the reply, I'll have a check tommorow as I've left my basic scan tool at work. I'll send some photos of the graphs for the fuel trims of both O2 sensors when I've run the car for a while.

P0401 is insufficient EGR flow, so yes, it will come on from the valve been blanked off.

P0011 (from a search) indicates that the camshaft timing is more advanced than it is supposed to be, see below

'It indicates that the engine control module (ECM) has detected that the camshaft timing in cylinder bank 1 is more advanced than it is supposed to be. The control unit adjusts the timing based on a range of factors and data transmitted by the engine's sensors.'

It sounds like the VVT is not working correctly, or when the head was removed, something didn't go back in the correct place.

Rough idle when warm is usually a sticking 'idle air control' (IAC) valve on the throttle body, so it might be worh checking both.

Robin

Thanks DrRobin, I'll try to take a look at the IAC this weekend. The P0011 code does worry me though, I'm not sure if the M13A is an interference engine and I'd rather not find out the hard way. Hopefully the VVT isn't so out of time that it happens. I'll have a look at it after I've checked the others.

Also, is it possible in these cars for a faulty Cam Angle Sensor to throw up a P0011 code because of a wrong reading?

Thanks

If the VVT is sticking then no it won't cause the pistons to hit the valves. However, if the camshaft timing is out then it is possible you could get a valve strike, but possibly by now it would alread have happened.

I don't know if a faulty Cam Sensor will cause the same problem.

Try the IAC first to see if that fixes the rough idle running as the IAC only operates when the engine is warm and they are known to stick.

Robin