Cam timing on Scangauge

[JRMichler]

My truck has the four cylinder inline engine with VVT on the exhaust camshaft. Does anybody know how to display the cam timing on a Scangauge?

My reason for this is to track down some interesting behavior. At 55 MPH in fifth gear (1800 RPM) and 7 PSI MAP (about 15 In Hg vacuum), the Scangauge sometimes shows about 37 instantaneous MPG, and sometimes shows about 43 instantaneous MPG. I'm wondering if this is somehow related to cam timing, and if so, if that mode can be extended to higher MAP.

[gone-ot]

Excellent question, but one that requires digging into the communications between the ECU and the VVT control mechanism:

• If the control is electronic-based, you'll just have to find the PID code and program the SGII to read it.

• However, if the control is hydraulic/oil-based, you're probably *out-of-luck* unless you can find the oil passage and stick a pressure gauge into it to 'read' changes in pressure as the VVT operates.

[2000mc]

Try emailing scangauge. The cam actuator s controlled by oil, but that oil is controlled by a solenoid, controlled by the ecm. I saw on other forums that Mazda guys can see their valve timing on their SG, and I know a GM scan tool can display what you're looking for and more, so I think this should definately be possible

[JRMichler]

Originally Posted by 2000mc

I saw on other forums that Mazda guys can see their valve timing on their SG

If they can see cam timing, I certainly ought to be able to see cam timing. I just need to figure out how.

The SG web site does not list cam timing under general gauges, GM vehicles, or VPW. I found a list of known X-gauges on another site. No cam timing for either Mazda or GM vehicles there.

I sent an email to ScanGauge.

[JRMichler]

Got my answer from ScanGauge: "Unfortunately, we do not have camshaft timing available for GM vehicles."