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  #1  
Old 10-26-2013, 07:03 PM
JDM JDM is offline
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Default Cam syncro and something else!

When this thing is going out, and it makes the squeaking, chirping or whatever you want to call it, does it make it all the time?

Had this problem not too long ago! Truck runs fine, no codes, idles, well, not like I wish it would but idles ok. Occasionally, the truck "skips", tach shows 1000 rpm less, give or take, and makes this squeaking noise until the engine returns to normal. This may last a second or 2, and may only do it once, or many do it 3 or 4 times. I had it at the dealer a few weeks ago for the same thing. New plug and wires and coil pack. Seemed to be fine until today. Couldn't replicate it while I had the video cam out so its not doing it all the time. Just wondering if the cam syncro going out would NOT throw a code, or what could be causing this problem. BTW, the dealer did a comp test and injector test, all good!
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Old 10-26-2013, 07:21 PM
JerZDevil81 JerZDevil81 is offline
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Default Re: Cam syncro and something else!

Cam Synchro will NOT throw a code. Usually my advice on things if it aint broke dont fix it, however not in this case. If it fails youll lose oil pressure and seize the engine.

My advice is to change it and not with a cheap dorman one, but with a Motorcraft one. They caost more, but IMO its not a part you want to cheap out on.

When mine started to go it did not make it all the time but once I heard a chrip/squeal from the back of the engine bay I knew and replaced it ASAP. What happens is the bearings inside start to go. Somtimes they squeal, sometimes they wont. But when one goes it is not good news.
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Old 10-27-2013, 08:47 AM
JDM JDM is offline
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Default Re: Cam syncro and something else!

So can the cam syncro cause it to "skip" and why would a new coil pack fix it temporarily, or I guess I should say is can the syncro damage the coil pack?
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Old 10-27-2013, 01:25 PM
rangerlocal rangerlocal is offline
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Default Re: Cam syncro and something else!

Absolutely not. The coil pack was just a coincidence if the cam sync is the true problem. And no, it won't damage the coil pack. Sometimes the squeak is intermittent, and near death it's constant.
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Old 10-27-2013, 04:05 PM
project1 project1 is offline
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what is the syncro ??? new to this
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Old 10-27-2013, 08:06 PM
rangerlocal rangerlocal is offline
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Default Re: Cam syncro and something else!

On 1995+ trucks, the distributor was replaced with what is called the camshaft synchronizer. It tells the engine where the camshaft is located during the combustion cycle to adjust timing, and also drives the oil pump. It has a splash hole for lubrication which is too small, and can clog, preventing lubrication of the bearings inside. The bearings then wear enough to start squeaking and squealing, then they destroy the sensor, then seize up the oil pump shaft, and the engine looses oil pressure and cooks itself.

It is located on the back side of the engine, towards the passenger side slightly. It is bolted directly into the manifold.
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Old 10-28-2013, 03:32 AM
JDM JDM is offline
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Default Re: Cam syncro and something else!

Please excuse my ignorance on this thing, Im temporarily disabled and on a limited budget, so before I spend more money on it, I have to be sure what Im getting into. What exactly does this thing do? Can I assume that it still works kinda like a distributor, and basically tells the coil pack when to fire each plug? What does the "sensor" on top do? Can this sensor go bad and cause the truck to "skip"? Again I noticed when the truck skips, the RPMs drop by 900 - 1100 per the tach in the truck.
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Old 10-28-2013, 04:17 AM
Bob C. of Indiana Bob C. of Indiana is offline
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Default Re: Cam syncro and something else!

Quote:
Originally Posted by JDM View Post
Please excuse my ignorance on this thing, Im temporarily disabled and on a limited budget, so before I spend more money on it, I have to be sure what Im getting into. What exactly does this thing do? Can I assume that it still works kinda like a distributor, and basically tells the coil pack when to fire each plug? What does the "sensor" on top do? Can this sensor go bad and cause the truck to "skip"? Again I noticed when the truck skips, the RPMs drop by 900 - 1100 per the tach in the truck.
If it was me I would bite the bullet and replace them both with Motorcraft parts and ease my mind.If that don't work go from there. Mine didn't make any noise and ran perfect but I didn't know what service the previous owner did,so I just replaced them. jmho.
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Old 10-28-2013, 06:10 AM
JDM JDM is offline
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Default Re: Cam syncro and something else!

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Originally Posted by Bob C. of Indiana View Post
If it was me I would bite the bullet and replace them both with Motorcraft parts and ease my mind.If that don't work go from there. Mine didn't make any noise and ran perfect but I didn't know what service the previous owner did,so I just replaced them. jmho.
I would do just that if I were able to work right now! With only one income, I need to spend our money wisely. I dont want to spend what could be groceries for the week on it and still have the same problem. Thats why Im asking, will this cause the engine to skip?
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Old 10-28-2013, 06:26 AM
Bob C. of Indiana Bob C. of Indiana is offline
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Default Re: Cam syncro and something else!

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Originally Posted by JDM View Post
I would do just that if I were able to work right now! With only one income, I need to spend our money wisely. I dont want to spend what could be groceries for the week on it and still have the same problem. Thats why Im asking, will this cause the engine to skip?
I would say yes to your question.If it is binding it could cause it to miss. The miss isn't the issue if it's faulty you could waste the engine since it's tied to the oil pump.Hundreds of things can cause a miss but a miss usually won't trash your engine. I'll get off my box and stop preaching.If I didn't already give away my cam sync. I would mail it to you free just to help you out.
Bob C.
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Old 10-28-2013, 06:31 AM
low2.3 low2.3 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JDM View Post
will this cause the engine to skip?
Yes. But just as Bob said several things can cause a skip/miss such as coil, wires, plugs and etc; the cam sync normally emits a chirping noise when going bad (not always but most of the time). If your on a budget spend more time diagnosing the issue you can take off the cam sensor and inspect it to see if its going bad, there will be play in the shaft and possibly some plastic shavings from the bushings that fail.
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Old 10-28-2013, 06:35 AM
Bob C. of Indiana Bob C. of Indiana is offline
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Default Re: Cam syncro and something else!

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Originally Posted by low2.3 View Post
Yes. But just as Bob said several things can cause a skip/miss such as coil, wires, plugs and etc; the cam sync normally emits a chirping noise when going bad (not always but most of the time). If your on a budget spend more time diagnosing the issue you can take off the cam sensor and inspect it to see if its going bad, there will be play in the shaft and possibly some plastic shavings from the bushings that fail.
Thanks Adam! X2
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  #13  
Old 10-28-2013, 07:08 AM
project1 project1 is offline
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thanks I think that might be part of my problems
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  #14  
Old 10-28-2013, 02:11 PM
JDM JDM is offline
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Default Re: Cam syncro and something else!

Sorry for not getting back sooner, Ive been at PT pretty much all day. We put new plugs and wires on it before I got hurt, and the dealer did a comp test, leakdown test, and injector test, and found the coil pack bad. Its had about 2000 miles put on it since and this problem has returned, exact same thing it was doing before, but not near as often. As soon as my son gets home, and it cools off, Ill have him pull it and look at it. Thanks for the patience, guys!
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Old 10-28-2013, 03:18 PM
Bob C. of Indiana Bob C. of Indiana is offline
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Default Re: Cam syncro and something else!

Quote:
Originally Posted by JDM View Post
Sorry for not getting back sooner, Ive been at PT pretty much all day. We put new plugs and wires on it before I got hurt, and the dealer did a comp test, leakdown test, and injector test, and found the coil pack bad. Its had about 2000 miles put on it since and this problem has returned, exact same thing it was doing before, but not near as often. As soon as my son gets home, and it cools off, Ill have him pull it and look at it. Thanks for the patience, guys!
Great!
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