Cam synchronizer bad?

[pacodiablo]

My truck has a little over 64K miles on it. Today when I started it there was a chirping noise, characteristic of a failing cam synchronizer. Has anyone had one fail at such low miles? The noise went away by the time I pulled out of the parking lot, but it still seemed like it was coming from the synchronizer and not the belt. I'm planning on getting a new Motorcraft synchronizer and CPS this week.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

what makes you think it was the cam syncro and not the belt?

at that kind of mileage, its much more likely to be a belt or tensioner instead of a syncro.

and theres no need to replace the CPS too, it doesnt wear out. just the cam syncronizer.

 

[pacodiablo]

The noise was much louder at the back of the engine, where the synchro is.

 

[TomB1269]

I replaced my syncro shaft at 79K. I bought truck at 64K, changed belts tried everything to find squeal. Finally year later, after changing plugs picked up high rpm miss that would drop down the rpm range as it warmmed. Checked with everyone, replace coil packs, had freind run full diags with the big snap on unit nothing. The squeal can be heard when cold the it goes away but when engine comparment temp drops (ie drive highway and come to stop, get squeal; bumper to bumper no squeal). Finally, took to Ford, and found out that there is TSB on Syncro failure, the ECM does not monitor syncro for failure codes over 2500 rpm. The test they use is to monitro nock sensor clock, over 150 to it's max of 1050 points to syncor issue. The best test is pull of the belt and start engine, if you here the squeal you'll know!!!!

 

[pacodiablo]

The squeal can be heard when cold the it goes away but when engine comparment temp drops (ie drive highway and come to stop, get squeal; bumper to bumper no squeal).

That's exactly what mine is doing.

Also, when this truck had maybe 25K miles on it the belt tensioner and serp belt were replaced under warranty for sqealing. I remember that sound well (my parents owned the truck then), and it's different from what I'm hearing now.

 

[joe.dollar]

I just finished replacing my camshaft position sensor unit as well.

It started with the characteristic "chirping" noise which I figured was certainly the serp belt and/ or idlers. I did a code reading and got the "camshaft position sensor malfunction" code. I pulled the sensor (plastic top piece) and the sensor was mangled and the half circle bit of metal on the CPST shaft was completely folded over and essentially disintegrated.

Suffice to say, replaced the whole mess and it's running great. No more "chirping". I just wonder how it got so completely wrecked like that.

I spun the old CPST assembly by hand once I had it out and it was pretty hard to turn and would actually make a squeaking noise on every revolution.

Glad it didn't completely fail while I was driving it.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

sounds like you came very close to loosing an engine. luckily your syncro got just got mangled instead.

the events leading to a cam syncro failure are:

1. the plastic bushing that the syncro shaft rides on doesnt recieve sufficient lube and begins to wear out, allowing the syncro shaft to wobble.

2. the flag on the CPS end of the wobbling syncro shaft contacts the CPS, suddenly stopping the syncro shaft.

3. the sudden stopping of the syncro shaft shears off the roll pin that holds the distributor gear to the syncro shaft....or otherwise the gear itself is sctripped out by the camshaft.

4. the syncro shaft is no longer powered by the engine. the oil pump, which is driven by the bottom end of the syncro shaft no longer turns and the engine recieves zero oil flow.

 

[pacodiablo]

I can confirm for certain that the noise was the cam sync. Got it replaced today, and the noise has not come back at all. Runs great.

My truck has had 5W-20 in it for most of its life, but there were few oil changes where 5W-30 and 10W-30 were used. I can't help but think that that could have something to do with my early failure (64,000 miles). The truck does see higher RPM on a fairly regular basis, so I might tone that town a little too.

Anyway, I'm just glad it is fixed. I wish Ford would come out with an updated replacement cam sync with better lubrication, but seeing as the Vulcan is about to bow out, that seems unlikely.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Please excuse for bringing back an old thread, but......

I"ve been searching for this cam synchro squeeking thing,
since my 04 Ranger is doing it. The mileage is only 55K.

After picking one up at the local Ford dealer, I noticed it
has a hole on the side of the housing which I assume is
for oil mist to enter and lubricate the bushings.
(Maybe it's an updated part with the oil lube hole?)

I'll be replacing the synchro in the next day or two, and
will post back as to whether the old synchro has an
oil hole.......

By the way, super forum. Lots of good info here.
ROE