I see it too, oldblue. The timing chain is loose.

Because that is the way heat and metal and lubrication works. P0014 does NOT mean the sensor or the VVT valve is bad, it means the sensor is working and telling you that the chain is loose.

All that sludge indicates that the oil has never been changed. It is not good, it can affect the VVT valve performance etc. BUT, your main problem is a bad timing set.

I think that is Dino oil residue, synthetic is a different colour.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...08d98f01c.jpeg
This chain triggered my P0014, note the oil colour, I run 5w30 full synthetic Dexos Castrol Edge

I have been faithful with my oil changes based on the oil life percentages, however sometime it seemed like I went 5K to 7K miles in between changes. And I would change it when it got down to between 35% or 40%. Yes, all I used was petroleum oil. If this T'Chain replacement works out, it's time for a serious engine flushing.

I used that Marvel Mystery oil, once to clean out the Dino oil.

I had a 2008 LS that began to make chain noises on startup, 90K miles, maybe? Was totally prepared to have the chains done, but because it had the old timing chain tensioner, I decided to try upgrading that first. It worked. Apparently the old tensioner has stopped tensioning.

You've bought yourself a little time. The new tensioner has marginally more travel than the old design.

I just thought I'd post a follow up on my "lifter noise". I replaced the timing chain, tesioners, guides, etc. (kit from O'Reilly's). Nothing showed any visible signs of wear. I did change the oil when I did the timing chain and added a few ounces of Seafoam to the oil. I did not replace the timing cam gears since it is the VVT system, that was another $200. When I first started it after the install, there was a lot of noise for about 5 seconds, then things quieted down,but not gone completely. I drove it around, maybe 10 miles, and it got very quiet, however that was the way it reacted before I installed the new timing chain. During that first test drive, I did have one incident of the Check engine light coming on, the same code P0014 but haven't had it since. The next morning, some noise at start up, but not near what I was experiencing before. I put 500 miles on it and things seemed to get better every day. I just changed oil again, this time no Seafoam, and it seem to be doing very well (knock on wood). Except for that first day, no more check engine light and no more noise. Thanks for everyone's help, I don't think I would have suspected the timing chain if not for you guys.

The VVT system may have needed that new oil and Seafoam to clean out the solenoids and the cam phasers, and now they are cleaned up and much happier!

That's what I suspect. I have always changed oil faithfully, but I also have a shop on my rural property that I drive back and forth to almost daily. Unfortunately that drive is only about 1000 ft one way. I think that is probably bad to drive such a short distance and never allowing the engine to reach operating temperature. It's only a few days a week that I drive somewhere long enough to warm the engine properly. Probably the cause of all the sludge in the engine. Time to invest in a golf cart.