P0008: How to Diagnose & Fix — Engine Position System Performance - Bank 1
28 vehicles · 12 makes · $400-$6,000 repair
How to diagnose and fix P0008: most-reported vehicles
Ranked by owner reports. Each card gives the symptoms, how to confirm the cause, the fix, parts and sources for that vehicle.
Chevrolet Equinox · 2010–2017
The 2.4L Ecotec in 2010-2017 Equinox is prone to premature timing-chain and balance-chain stretch, driven primarily by a collapsing chain tensioner and made worse by the engine's known oil-consumption problem (low oil reduces hydraulic pressure to the tensioner). Symptoms are a rattle at cold startup, a check-engine light, and rough running or loss of power. Because the engine is an interference design, a chain that skips timing far enough lets the valves contact the pistons, turning a maintenance item into an engine-destroying failure. GM issued Special Coverage Adjustment 12313 (10 years/120,000 miles) for 2010-2011 2.4L (LAF) engines because the chrome layer on the balance chain pins may wear and let the balance chain stretch; it covers the balance chain and fuel pump, not the timing chain.
Common Symptoms
- Rattling/chain noise at cold start
- Check engine light with cam-crank correlation codes
- Rough idle, hesitation, reduced power
- Engine running rough or stalling
How to Fix
Diagnose with cam/crank correlation codes and inspect chain stretch. Replace the full timing chain kit (chains, guides, tensioners) and the balance chain; correct any underlying oil consumption first or the new chain will wear early. Address promptly at first rattle — driving on a stretched chain risks valve-to-piston contact and a totaled engine.
Sources for this issue (1)
Chevrolet Malibu · 2008–2012
The 3.6L high-feature V6 offered in the 2008-2012 Malibu — the LY7 for all of those years — uses three chains and plastic-faced tensioner shoes. The original chain and tensioner design wears prematurely, aggravated by GM's oil-life-monitor service intervals that let owners run 10,000+ miles on degraded oil. As the guides wear the chain goes slack, cam timing drifts out of the correlation window, and the ECM sets P0008 or P0016-P0019. Left alone the chain can skip a tooth on a cold start and the pistons will contact the valves. This is a different failure from the 2.4L four-cylinder chain issue: the V6 is a three-chain, rear-of-block-access design, the labor is far heavier, and the symptom onset is a rattle on cold start rather than the 2.4's oil-consumption-driven wear.
Common Symptoms
- Rattle from the engine for a few seconds on cold start
- Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes
- Rough idle or reduced power
- Loss of power under acceleration
- Engine cranks but will not start after a jumped chain
How to Fix
Replace all three timing chains, both cam phasers if worn, all guides and the tensioners with the updated GM part numbers — a partial repair almost always comes back. Verify actual oil consumption and shorten the oil change interval to roughly 5,000 miles with the correct dexos-spec oil to protect the new parts. There is no recall and no GM special coverage for the Malibu 3.6L chain, so this is a customer-pay repair; expect $1,800-$3,200 at a shop. Do not keep driving a car that is setting correlation codes — a jumped chain on this engine is an interference event.
Sources for this issue (4)
GMC Terrain · 2010–2017
First-generation Terrains ordered with the optional V6 - the 3.0L LF1/LFW in 2010-2012 and the 3.6L LFX from 2013-2017 - use GM's High Feature V6 architecture with three timing chains (one primary, two secondary). The chains and their tensioners/guides stretch and wear prematurely, particularly on engines run on the oil-life monitor's long intervals or that have consumed oil between changes and starved the hydraulic tensioners. The ECM detects the resulting camshaft-to-crankshaft phase error and sets P0008 or P0009. This is a completely separate failure from the 2.4L Ecotec timing chain issue already documented: different engine family, different chain count, different repair.
Common Symptoms
- Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes
- Rattle from the front of the engine on cold start
- Rough idle and reduced power
- Low oil level between changes
- Engine may crank but not start in severe cases
How to Fix
Confirm cam/crank correlation and oil-pressure/maintenance condition, then replace the primary and both secondary chains, guides, tensioners and sprockets as a set. Correct the oil-consumption or lubrication cause rather than clearing codes alone.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- Cloyes 9-0753SWP timing-chain kit with sprockets and water pump$355
Direct listing supplies three chains, guides and tensioners; verify VIN/engine and confirm any seals, one-time fasteners and VVT components required separately.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.
Sources for this issue (4)
- GM Bulletin 12-06-01-009A - High Feature V6 timing chain kits and guide replacements, DTCs P0008/P0009/P0016-P0019 (2010-2012 Terrain LF1/LFW)tsb
- P0008 on 2010-2017 GMC Terrain 3.0L V6 - Stretched Timing Chain Causes and Fixesarticle
- P0009 on 2010-2017 GMC Terrain - V6 Timing Chain Causes and Fixesarticle
- 2017 3.6 (V6) Terrain: Oil Consumption - GMC Terrain, Equinox and SRX Forumforum
Chevrolet HHR · 2006–2011
Buick LaCrosse · 2010–2016
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P0008 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does P0008 mean?
P0008 stands for "Engine Position System Performance - Bank 1." P0008 means the engine computer detected that Bank 1 of the engine is timed incorrectly relative to where it should be — specifically, the relationship between the crankshaft and camshaft positions on that bank is off. The 'Engine Position System' refers to the components (timing chain/belt, sprockets, tensioners, and the variable valve timing actuators) that keep the camshafts synchronized with the crankshaft. When the computer commands a timing position but the sensors report the bank is out of the expected range, it sets this code. It generally signals a mechanical timing problem on Bank 1 that can affect performance and, if severe, risk internal engine damage.
What are the most common causes of P0008?
The most common causes of P0008 are: Stretched or worn timing chain, Failed or worn timing chain guides or tensioner, Faulty camshaft position (VVT/VCT) actuator or solenoid, Low or dirty engine oil affecting timing actuator operation, Jumped or mistimed timing chain/belt after service, Faulty crankshaft or camshaft position sensor, Clogged oil control valve or oil passages. The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0008?
Repair costs for P0008 range from $400 to $6,000, depending on the vehicle and root cause.
Which vehicles are affected by P0008?
Au7o has documented P0008 across 28 vehicle models from 12 manufacturers: Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dacia, Ford, GMC, Lincoln, Opel, Pontiac, Saturn, Suzuki.
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Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.