Why does P0019 only appear on V and boxer engines?

Bank 2 refers to the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder 1. Inline engines have one cylinder head with one set of camshafts, so their camshaft faults are reported as bank 1 codes and P0018 and P0019 do not apply. P0019 needs a second cylinder head with its own exhaust camshaft, which means a V engine (V6 or larger) or a flat (boxer) engine.

Is P0019 worse than P0017?

P0017 and P0019 are essentially the same fault on different banks. The mechanical severity is identical. However, P0019 is usually more expensive to repair because it implies a V-engine, where timing chain access requires more disassembly. On engines like the Audi 3.0 TFSI, the supercharger and intake manifold must come off.

Can I just replace the bank 2 VVT solenoid first?

Yes, it is the cheapest first step at 80 to 300 EUR for the solenoid plus 60 to 200 EUR labour. If the solenoid fixes the code, great. If P0019 returns within a few weeks, you are dealing with a stretched chain and the solenoid replacement was diagnostic data, not wasted money. Always change oil at the same time.

How long does a timing chain job take on a V6?

Plan for two to three full days at a workshop. On the Audi 3.0 TFSI, removing the supercharger, intake, and front engine accessories is half a day. The chain work itself is another half day. Setting the chains, reassembly, and test drive is another full day. Labour totals 15 to 25 hours depending on the engine.

P0019: Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor B)

Quick Answer

Not safe to drive

P0019 means the crankshaft and the exhaust camshaft on bank 2 are not in the correct rotational relationship. The code only appears on engines with two cylinder banks, V engines (V6, V8, V10, V12) and flat (boxer) engines, because bank 2 is the side that does not house cylinder 1 and an inline engine has a single cylinder head. Common causes include a stretched timing chain, a failed exhaust VVT solenoid on bank 2, a worn camshaft phaser, or oil flow problems.

Severity: High · Ignition
Estimated repair cost: From €60 to €6000+, varies by vehicle

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What does P0019 mean?

P0019 is a ignition-related diagnostic trouble code classified as high severity. When your vehicle's ECU detects this condition, it stores P0019 and illuminates the check engine light.

Where it is on the car

Crankshaft sprocket and position sensor
Timing chain or belt
Camshaft sprockets with VVT phasers
Camshaft position sensor
VVT oil control solenoid

Crank and camshaft correlation codes are often a stretched timing chain or a jumped tooth, or a worn or slipped belt. A weak sensor signal or low oil can set them too, so check the oil level and the sensors before you assume the chain. Bank 2 is the side of a V or flat engine that does not hold cylinder 1.

What are the symptoms of P0019?

If your vehicle has triggered P0019, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:

Check engine light illuminated
Loud rattle from the front of the engine at cold start
Rough idle and possible misfires on bank 2
Hard starting, particularly when warm
Noticeable loss of power and hesitation
Increased fuel consumption

What causes P0019?

Here are the most common causes of P0019:

Stretched timing chain (chronic on Audi 3.0 TFSI, VW 3.0 TDI, Mercedes M276)
: high
Failed bank 2 exhaust VVT solenoid
: high
Low or degraded engine oil restricting VVT operation
: medium
Worn timing chain tensioner on bank 2
: medium
Failed bank 2 exhaust camshaft phaser
: low
Bank 2 exhaust camshaft position sensor fault
: low

Is it safe to drive with P0019?

No - address this immediately. Drive only short distances to reach a workshop. P0019 indicates the exhaust camshaft on bank 2 is out of correlation with the crankshaft. On an interference V-engine, continued driving risks the chain skipping teeth and bending valves, which on a V6 or V8 means a 5000 EUR or greater engine rebuild.

How do you diagnose P0019?

Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P0019:

Check engine oil level and condition. V-engines share oil between banks, so low pressure or contamination affects both. Use only the manufacturer-specified viscosity and approval (BMW LL-04, VW 504.00/507.00, MB 229.5/229.51)
Listen for cold-start rattle from the front of the engine. On V6 and V8, the rattle may originate from one bank specifically. A stethoscope helps localise it
Monitor live cam phasing data on bank 2 exhaust with manufacturer-level software (actual and target cam angles are not part of the standard OBD2 data set; a generic reader shows the code, freeze frame and fuel trims). Compare actual versus commanded angle. Deviations over 5 to 10 degrees confirm a mechanical timing fault
Test the bank 2 exhaust VVT solenoid. Resistance typically 6 to 13 ohms. Inspect the mesh screen for sludge debris. A clogged screen is a common quick fix
If the solenoid and oil are good, suspect timing chain stretch or guide wear on bank 2. A workshop will need to remove the bank 2 valve cover or front cover for inspection

How much does P0019 cost to fix?

Repair costs for P0019 vary depending on the root cause and your vehicle. Here are typical estimates:

Repair	Parts Cost	Labor Cost	Total Estimate	DIY Difficulty
Oil change with correct spec oil	€40–€100	€20–€50	€60–€150	Easy
Replace bank 2 exhaust VVT solenoid	€80–€300	€60–€200	€140–€500	Moderate
Replace timing chain kit on V-engine	€800–€3000	€800–€3000	€1600–€6000	Professional

Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.

Full repair guides

P0019 on specific vehicles

P0019 behaves differently depending on your vehicle. Select your car below for model-specific causes and known issues:

P0019 on BMW

BMW 3 Series

See BMW-specific causes & cost

P0019 on Audi

Audi A6

See Audi-specific causes & cost

P0019 on Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes E-Class

See Mercedes-Benz-specific causes & cost

P0019 on Volkswagen

Volkswagen Touareg

See Volkswagen-specific causes & cost

These codes are often seen alongside P0019 or indicate related issues:

Common questions about P0019

Why does P0019 only appear on V and boxer engines?: Bank 2 refers to the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder 1. Inline engines have one cylinder head with one set of camshafts, so their camshaft faults are reported as bank 1 codes and P0018 and P0019 do not apply. P0019 needs a second cylinder head with its own exhaust camshaft, which means a V engine (V6 or larger) or a flat (boxer) engine.
Is P0019 worse than P0017?: P0017 and P0019 are essentially the same fault on different banks. The mechanical severity is identical. However, P0019 is usually more expensive to repair because it implies a V-engine, where timing chain access requires more disassembly. On engines like the Audi 3.0 TFSI, the supercharger and intake manifold must come off.
Can I just replace the bank 2 VVT solenoid first?: Yes, it is the cheapest first step at 80 to 300 EUR for the solenoid plus 60 to 200 EUR labour. If the solenoid fixes the code, great. If P0019 returns within a few weeks, you are dealing with a stretched chain and the solenoid replacement was diagnostic data, not wasted money. Always change oil at the same time.
How long does a timing chain job take on a V6?: Plan for two to three full days at a workshop. On the Audi 3.0 TFSI, removing the supercharger, intake, and front engine accessories is half a day. The chain work itself is another half day. Setting the chains, reassembly, and test drive is another full day. Labour totals 15 to 25 hours depending on the engine.

Read our detailed guides

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