OBD codes / P0014
P0014
ModerateCamshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced (Bank 1, Exhaust)
P0014 is usually drivable short-term, but address it soon — check oil level and condition immediately, since that alone fixes many cases. If the cause is a worn phaser or timing chain, continued driving can make it worse and hurt performance and economy.
What this code means
P0014 is the exhaust-camshaft version of P0011: the variable valve timing on the Bank 1 exhaust cam is more advanced than the computer commanded, and it can't correct it. Variable timing runs on oil pressure through a control solenoid, so the most common and cheapest cause is oil — low level, the wrong viscosity, or dirty/overdue oil clogging the small passages. Next is a stuck VVT/VCT solenoid or a clogged screen. Less often it's a worn cam phaser or a stretched timing chain. An oil change is a smart, inexpensive first step.
Symptoms you might notice
- Rough idle or stalling
- Loss of power or hesitation
- Rattle from the front of the engine at start-up
- Reduced fuel economy
- Check-engine light
What it costs to fix
Typical range: $60–$1,500 · about ~0.3–6 hrs of labor
| If the cause is… | Part | Labor |
|---|---|---|
| Oil change (when low/dirty oil is the cause) | $30–$100 | ~0.3–0.6 hrs |
| VVT/VCT solenoid (oil-control valve) | $30–$150 | ~0.5–2 hrs |
| Camshaft phaser | $150–$500 | ~3–6 hrs |
The low end assumes the cause is simply low or dirty oil — which genuinely does fix a fair number of these, but isn't guaranteed. The typical repair is the VVT solenoid (modest); a worn phaser or stretched timing chain is the major, high-end job (and on the exhaust cam specifically). Get a chain/phaser repair diagnosed before committing.
The price swings on which cause it turns out to be — so confirm the cause before paying. Diagnose P0014 for my exact vehicle →
How to fix P0014
Moderate — doable at home with common tools and patience
- Rule out the oil before buying parts
P0014 lives or dies on oil pressure: verify the level on the dipstick and look at the oil's condition. If it's low, degraded, or not the viscosity specified for your engine, do an oil and filter change with the correct grade, clear the code, and give it several drive cycles — dirty or wrong oil is the cheapest and most overlooked cause.
- Service the bank 1 exhaust VVT solenoid
This code points at the exhaust-cam oil-control solenoid on bank 1 — a different solenoid from the intake one that P0011 implicates, so identify it from a diagram before removal. Pull it (usually one bolt), check its screen for sludge, and clean or replace it.
- Swap the intake and exhaust solenoids if they match
On many engines the intake and exhaust oil-control solenoids share a part number: swap them, clear the code, and drive. If the code flips from P0014 to P0011, you've confirmed a bad solenoid for the price of ten minutes' work.
- Inspect the solenoid's wiring and connector
Check the connector for oil wicking, corrosion, and a solid lock, and the pigtail for heat damage — the exhaust side runs hotter. An electrical fault here mimics a mechanically stuck solenoid.
- Have the exhaust phaser and chain evaluated if it persists
A P0014 that outlasts fresh oil, a known-good solenoid, and sound wiring points to a worn exhaust-cam phaser or a stretched timing chain. Stop replacing parts at that point and pay for a proper diagnosis — phaser and chain work is a major front-of-engine job.
DIY or shop? Checking the oil, changing it, and swapping or replacing the solenoid are all approachable DIY tasks on most engines, and they cover the common fixes for this code. The exhaust solenoid can be slightly harder to reach than the intake one on some engines. Phaser or timing-chain work is firmly shop territory — it requires timing tools, precision, and enough labor that a confirmed diagnosis should come first.
Tools for the DIY steps: OBD-II scanner · Socket set · Oil and filter (manufacturer-specified viscosity) · Drain pan and filter wrench · Parts cleaner spray
Not sure which step applies to your car? Get the likely cause for your exact vehicle before buying anything for P0014.
P0014 on specific vehicles
The likely causes shift by model. We’ve written up the patterns we see most:
Frequently asked
Can I drive with P0014?
Short-term usually yes, but check your oil right away. If it's just oil, it's trivial; if it's a worn phaser or timing chain, continued driving can worsen it. Get it diagnosed if an oil change doesn't clear it.
Can low oil cause P0014?
Yes — it's one of the most common causes. The variable-timing system runs on oil pressure through tiny passages, so low, dirty, or wrong-grade oil readily triggers it. An oil change with the correct viscosity is a smart first move.
Is P0014 the same as P0011?
Nearly — P0011 is the intake camshaft over-advanced, P0014 is the exhaust camshaft over-advanced, both on Bank 1. Causes and fixes are the same: oil, solenoid, then phaser/chain.
How much does it cost to fix P0014?
From an oil change to a major repair. Oil and solenoid fixes are cheap-to-modest; a camshaft phaser or timing chain is a big labor job. Diagnose before assuming the worst.
Seeing P0014 on your car? Get a diagnosis specific to your exact year, make and model.
Diagnose P0014 for my vehicleRelated trouble codes
Don’t have a scanner yet? A ~$25 Bluetooth adapter reads codes like P0014 from your phone — see our honest guide to the best OBD2 Bluetooth adapters.
Generic OBD-II reference. Manufacturer-specific behavior varies — confirm with a scan tool and, for safety-related codes, a professional inspection.