P0024: "B" Camshaft Position: Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 2)
Quick Answer
Safe to drive (short-term)
P0024 means the exhaust camshaft on bank 2 (the side without cylinder 1) sits further advanced than the engine computer commanded. The "B" in the title normally stands for the exhaust cam, so the fault is in the exhaust-side variable valve timing, not the intake side that P0021 describes. It can only appear on engines with two cylinder banks and a cam adjuster on the exhaust camshaft: V6, V8 and some flat engines.
- Severity
- Moderate · Emissions
- Estimated repair cost
- From €60 to €6000+, varies by vehicle
€60 or €6000, depending on your car.
- Engine oil and filter change with the correct approval€60–€150
- Replace timing chain, guides and tensioners on a V engine€1600–€6000
A scan shows whether P0024 is really stored on your car, which codes sit next to it and how urgent each one is.
A scan needs a Bluetooth OBD2 adapter (Bluetooth LE on iPhone), about €25-60; the built-in demo runs without one. See which adapter to buy
What does P0024 mean?
P0024 is a emissions-related diagnostic trouble code classified as moderate severity.
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
A timing fault like this is most often low or dirty oil or a sticky VVT solenoid. The phaser itself fails less often. Bank 2 is the side of a V or flat engine that does not hold cylinder 1.
What are the symptoms of P0024?
- Check engine light on
- Loss of power, most noticeable under load
- Rough idle or uneven running when cold
- Rattle from the front of the engine on cold start
- Slightly higher fuel use
- Failed emissions test
What causes P0024?
Old, low or wrong-grade oil keeping the bank 2 exhaust cam adjuster from moving freely
: high
Bank 2 exhaust cam adjustment valve (solenoid) faulty or clogged with sludge
: high
Stretched timing chain, worn guide rails or weak tensioner changing the cam position
: medium
Worn or sticking exhaust cam phaser on bank 2
: medium
Damaged wiring or connector at the bank 2 exhaust solenoid
: low
Exhaust cam sensor or tone wheel fault giving a false position
: low
Is it safe to drive with P0024?
Generally yes, for short-term driving. Short, gentle trips to a workshop are acceptable. Do not ignore it for long: if the cause is a stretched timing chain, a rattle on cold start is the warning, and a skipped chain on a V engine can bend valves. Stop driving if the engine rattles loudly or the check engine light flashes.
How do you diagnose P0024?
- Confirm which side is bank 2 for your engine from a bank diagram. It is the side that does not hold cylinder 1, and it differs by make and by engine layout
- Check the oil level and condition. Use the exact approval in the owner's manual; many cam adjusters are sensitive to sludge and thin or wrong oil
- Read all stored codes. The matching bank 1 exhaust fault, intake cam codes (P0021, P0011) and cam sensor codes show whether the problem is local to bank 2 or shared
- Compare actual and target exhaust cam angle for bank 2 with manufacturer-level software. A generic OBD2 reader shows the code, freeze frame and fuel trims but not cam angles
- Swap the bank 2 exhaust solenoid with the bank 1 one when the parts are identical and the workshop manual allows it. If the code moves to the bank 1 exhaust code, the solenoid is at fault
- Measure the solenoid's resistance against the workshop value and check its screen for debris
- Listen for chain rattle on a cold start. A chain or tensioner at fault needs the front cover or valve covers off, so it is a workshop job
How much does P0024 cost to fix?
| Repair | Parts Cost | Labor Cost | Total Estimate | DIY Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil and filter change with the correct approval | €40–€100 | €20–€50 | €60–€150 | Easy |
| Replace bank 2 exhaust cam adjustment solenoid | €80–€300 | €60–€200 | €140–€500 | Moderate |
| Repair wiring or connector at the solenoid | €10–€40 | €50–€130 | €60–€170 | Moderate |
| Replace camshaft phaser (cam adjuster) on bank 2 | €150–€600 | €300–€900 | €450–€1500 | Professional |
| Replace timing chain, guides and tensioners on a V engine | €800–€3000 | €800–€3000 | €1600–€6000 | Professional |
Prices estimated as of October 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
P0024 on specific vehicles
P0024 on Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz E-Class E 350 (M272 3.5 V6)
P0024 on BMW
BMW 5 Series 545i / 550i (N62 V8)
P0024 on Lexus
Lexus RX 350 (2GR-FE 3.5 V6)
Related diagnostic codes
Common questions about P0024
- What is the difference between P0021 and P0024?
- Both are bank 2 over-advanced timing codes. P0021 refers to the "A" camshaft, which is normally the intake cam, and P0024 refers to the "B" camshaft, normally the exhaust cam. If your engine has no exhaust cam adjuster, P0024 cannot be set.
- Which cylinders are on bank 2?
- Bank 2 is the bank without cylinder 1. On a transverse V6 that can be the front or rear head, and on an inline engine there is no bank 2 at all. A manufacturer bank diagram is more reliable than "left" or "right", which change depending on whether you look from the driver's seat or from the front of the car.
- Can I fix P0024 with an oil change?
- Sometimes. If the oil was overdue, thin or the wrong approval, fresh oil and a new filter can free a sticky exhaust adjuster or solenoid. If the code comes back within a few drive cycles, the solenoid or the chain is next.
- Is it safe to drive with P0024?
- For a short trip, usually yes, but the exhaust cam is not following its target, so power and emissions suffer. A cold-start rattle suggests chain wear and should not be left, because a chain that jumps teeth can damage valves on interference engines.
- Can a bad timing chain cause only bank 2 to fault?
- Yes. On many V engines each bank has its own chain or its own tensioner, so wear can show up on one bank first. A single bank code therefore does not rule out the chain, and a rattle on one side is a strong pointer.
Read our detailed guides
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M272_engine
- en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N62
- en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_GR_engine