P0012 Code with CEL. What now?

[Frank the Tank]

I have a 2006 yaris hatchback with about 162,000km. I've been having the CEL come on and off every 100-150km for the past few weeks. Car still ran great with no issues.

However, last Friday after work when I started up my car it began to bog jumping from 1000-1200 rpm before finally dying. I started it up maybe 3-4 more times while in neutral and first with the same result. On maybe the 5th try, the car started up, idled at around 600-700 rpm (as usual), and was able to drive home (about 25km) with no issues.

The car hasn't done it since.

I brought it to parts source to get a diagnostic (the was off before and after the test) and got this

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwf516WvHqV1bEtyNW1sX0tHc1k/view?usp=docslist_api

P0012
Intake camshaft intake position timing
Over-retarded
Bank 1

Ive been reading on some of older threads about how this can be a simple fix with the oil control valve or it can be an expensive camshaft gear. I also read that if it is the ocv, it can just be clogged and needs to be cleaned (change the filter?).

Again, I've had no issues with performance or rough idling except for Friday afternoon. Im told I'm the third owner of the car (the second owner was a co-worker of the first owner) and I don't have any of the previous service records.

Where do I go from here?

[tmontague]

I'd recommend cleaning the ocv filter, or at least removing it and inspecting it. You need a large hen wrench and it sits just under the ocv. If I remember correctly you need to remove the alternator to get a good shot at removing it.

If the ocv was damaged you'd get a different code. Based on the cars questionable history i'd check the filter first.

As a side the filter isn't something that should really get dirt if you take good care of the car. I checked mine at 135k km and it was spotless, I cleaned it and it looked the exact same as when I took it out.

[Frank the Tank]

Anyone have a link to the service manual?