P0014: "B" Camshaft Position — Timing Over-Advanced (Bank 1)
TL;DR
P0014 = "B"/exhaust cam timing over-advanced (Bank 1) / VVT fault. Severity: medium. Drivable short-term. Top causes: dirty oil or clogged VVT oil-control valve (55%), faulty phaser (25%), sensor/wiring (20%). Start with fresh oil + OCV cleaning.
Can I keep driving with P0014?
IF the engine runs acceptably → drive short-term and start with an oil change. IF it runs very rough, stalls or lacks power → diagnose sooner to avoid worsening drivability.
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Rough idle
- Reduced power
- Worse fuel economy
- Occasional stalling or hard start
Top causes (ranked by probability)
| Likely cause | Probability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dirty/old/low oil or clogged VVT oil-control valve | 55% | Start here |
| Faulty exhaust cam phaser/actuator | 25% | |
| Camshaft sensor or wiring fault | 20% |
What does P0014 mean?
Technical explanation
P0014 mirrors P0011 but for the "B" (typically exhaust) camshaft on Bank 1. The ECM detects actual cam phase more advanced than commanded. Because the VVT phaser is oil-actuated via the oil-control valve, contaminated/low oil and a clogged OCV are the dominant causes, then a worn phaser or sensor/wiring problem.
In simple terms
P0014 is the same kind of valve-timing problem as P0011, but on the exhaust camshaft of Bank 1. As with P0011, dirty oil or a gummed-up control valve is usually to blame — start with an oil change and cleaning that valve.
How to diagnose P0014 (step by step)
- Check oil level and condition. Change overdue/dirty oil with the correct grade first.
- Clean/inspect the oil-control valve. Remove and clean the exhaust-side VVT solenoid; replace if clogged.
- Scan for companion codes. P0011/P0340 alongside narrow the diagnosis.
- Test OCV and actuator. Confirm the solenoid and phaser respond.
- Inspect wiring/connector. Check the OCV and cam-sensor circuits.
Repair options & cost
- Change oil/filter (correct grade)
- Clean or replace the VVT oil-control valve
- Replace the cam phaser/actuator if faulty
- Repair sensor/wiring
| DIY cost | $20–$250 |
|---|---|
| Workshop cost | $120–$700 |
| Repair time | 30 min (oil/OCV clean) to 3+ hours (phaser) |
Costs are local ballpark ranges and vary by region and vehicle.
Tools you’ll need
- OBD-II scanner (BlueDriver / ANCEL)
- Oil change kit
- Basic socket set
Vehicle-specific notes
- Keep oil changes current — VVT depends on clean oil.
- Often resolved by oil + OCV cleaning before the costlier phaser.
- Frequently seen alongside P0011 on the same bank.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Replacing the phaser before trying oil + OCV cleaning
- Wrong oil viscosity
- Ignoring oil-change intervals
- Confusing the "A" (intake) and "B" (exhaust) cam codes
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between P0011 and P0014?
Both are over-advanced cam-timing/VVT faults on Bank 1: P0011 is the "A" (intake) camshaft and P0014 the "B" (exhaust) camshaft.
Can an oil change fix P0014?
Often, yes. VVT is oil-driven, so fresh correct-grade oil plus cleaning the oil-control valve resolves many P0014 cases.
Is P0014 serious?
Medium severity. The car runs but with degraded performance/economy; address it promptly, starting with oil and the OCV.
P0014 summary
| Meaning | Exhaust cam timing over-advanced / VVT (Bank 1) |
|---|---|
| Severity | Medium |
| Safe to drive? | Yes, short-term |
| Top cause | Dirty oil / clogged OCV (55%) |
| DIY cost | $20–$250 |
| Shop cost | $120–$700 |