Bank 2 intake cam timing too advanced.
P0021 — also written POO21, P 0021, 0021 — is the OBD-II code for 'a' camshaft position over-advanced (bank 2). Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
This code means your Bank 2 intake cam is out of sync, usually because the VVT system is starved of oil or the phaser is knackered. It's a proper headache on V6 engines like the Audi 3.0 or the Nissan 350Z.
P0021 is a engine fault code, typically costing £100–£1500 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0021 actually feels like to drive
- Engine feels 'flat' and lacklustre when pulling away from roundabouts.
- A nasty rattling sound from the top of the engine, usually worse on a cold start.
- Lumpy, hunting idle that feels like it’s about to stall at the lights.
- Fuel economy has gone through the floor—losing 5-10mpg easily.
- The 'Check Engine' light is on, but the car might drive okay once you're up to speed.
What causes P0021?
- VVT solenoid
- Sludge
- Phaser wear
UK vehicles that throw P0021 most often
- Audi A6 3.0 TFSI (C6/C7) 2008-2015
- Nissan 350Z / 370Z (VQ35/VQ37 engines)
- Vauxhall Insignia 2.8 V6 Turbo (A28NER)
- Subaru Impreza WRX STi (EJ25) 2008-2014
- Range Rover Sport 4.2 / 4.4 V8 (L320) 2005-2009
- Volkswagen Touareg 3.2 V6 (BMV)
How P0021 is fixed
- Oil change
- Solenoid replacement
The P0021 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I see folk throwing £150 sensors at this all day long, thinking a P0021 is just a dodgy electrical signal. It rarely is. Usually, it's the VVT solenoid being throttled by 'black death'—that nasty, thick oil sludge caused by skipping the 12-month service. I’ve had many a job where we’ve pulled the solenoid only to find it choked with carbon or, worse, bits of plastic from a disintegrating guide rail. Don't swap the sensor until you've checked the solenoid's filter screen; it's often just a lack of oil pressure doing the damage.
What a UK garage should charge for P0021
An initial diagnostic with a proper Snap-On or Autel tool will run you £60 to £90. If it’s just a gummed-up VVT solenoid, you’re looking at £180–£250 for a genuine part and an hour's labour. However, if the phaser itself has failed or the timing chain has stretched, you’re in for a world of hurt—on a V6 Audi or Nissan, that’s a £1,200 to £1,500 job once you factor in the kit, oil, filters, and a full day’s labour. Main dealers will easily double those figures.
P0021 repair cost in the UK
Most P0021 repairs land between £100–£1500 including parts and labour. The spread is wide because the cheap fix (a sensor, a hose, a leak) and the expensive fix (a major component) throw the same code — which is why a proper diagnosis before parts are bought saves the most money.
Bob's tip on P0021
If you’ve got a P0021, the first thing I’m going to ask you is "When did you last change the oil?" and I don't want to hear "last MOT." Insist on an oil pressure test before letting anyone tear the engine down. If the pressure is low, a new £400 phaser won't fix a thing. Also, ask the garage to check the 'adaptation values' on their scanner. If the cam is physically stuck advanced, it’s usually mechanical wear in the phaser. If it’s intermittent, skip the cheap eBay solenoids—only fit OE Bosch or Pierburg, or you'll be back in my waiting room in a fortnight.
Can you drive with P0021?
Drive carefully.
Urgency: high.