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  #1  
Old 10-16-2012, 06:48 AM
jonnhid jonnhid is offline
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Default Camshaft synchronizer (maybe??) help

Hey Gurus,

I started noticing a hesitation at higher speeds and the check engine light came on. A couple of error codes came up that I think may be pointing me in the wrong direction. They are P0303 (misfire Cyl 3) and P0136 (misfire in first 1K rpms).

I changed the plugs and the wires about 20k miles ago and I just changed the Coil block when this started (Only because it has been suspect for quite a while and had never been changed).

After doing a little research here and other forums I found a thread somewhere that talked about a hesitation at 3K rpm and so I checked it while sitting in my driveway and sure enough it runs smoothly right up until I get over 3k rpm then it starts a pretty rythmic hesitation. The thread called for a new camshaft synchronizer or a position sensor. My guess is that since the hesitation is pretty rythmic (IMHO suggesting an electrical issue) I could get away with just trying the sensor.

Any suggestions, comments, help??? As a side note, the camshaft synchronizer is NOT giving me the chirp that would indicate the synch being bad.

Thanks, John
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Old 10-16-2012, 08:44 AM
FordRanger4x4 FordRanger4x4 is offline
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Default Re: Camshaft synchronizer (maybe??) help

It has a rev. limiter so when it`s reved sitting still it`s designed to start cutting out at 3k rpm. How old is the fuel filter? Pull the # 3 plug and see what it looks like.
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Old 10-16-2012, 08:58 AM
jonnhid jonnhid is offline
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Default Re: Camshaft synchronizer (maybe??) help

Fuel filter is about 10K miles old and the number three plug looked good, not fouled or white. One thing I didn't do was pull another plug to compare it. I have platinum plugs in it so the electrode is very small and pointed to begin with.
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Old 10-16-2012, 12:34 PM
FordRanger4x4 FordRanger4x4 is offline
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Default Re: Camshaft synchronizer (maybe??) help

What brand of plugs? Could be a wire breaking down at high speed. Wait `till it gets dark outside and with the engine running look at your wires for any spark jumping with motor revved. Another trick to use ....a spray bottle with water...with engine running lightly spray water around plug boots to see if it misfires. Should use motorcraft plugs. I`m not saying you don`t have a cam sensor problem but if so it should set a code.
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Old 10-17-2012, 07:36 AM
jonnhid jonnhid is offline
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Default Re: Camshaft synchronizer (maybe??) help

Quote:
Originally Posted by FordRanger4x4 View Post
What brand of plugs? Could be a wire breaking down at high speed. Wait `till it gets dark outside and with the engine running look at your wires for any spark jumping with motor revved. Another trick to use ....a spray bottle with water...with engine running lightly spray water around plug boots to see if it misfires. Should use motorcraft plugs. I`m not saying you don`t have a cam sensor problem but if so it should set a code.
Makes sense, I'll give that a shot. I don't remember what brand of plugs they are, most likely Champion or NGK I think. If it is the cam sensor problem the codes it sends could be disguised as I described above with a cyl misfire etc, correct? For instance, I know there is a code specifically for cam sensor issues but if it detects the cyl misfire first then that is the code it will send even if the root cause is the cam sensor, correct?
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Old 10-17-2012, 08:41 AM
FordRanger4x4 FordRanger4x4 is offline
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Default Re: Camshaft synchronizer (maybe??) help

If they are champion plugs....throw `em in the trash. Fords don`t like ngk either. More than likely that`s your problem. Get a set of autolite or motorcraft. If you have a constant misfire, cel will flash. Try the plugs and let me know. And make sure plugs are gapped correctly.
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Old 10-18-2012, 08:57 AM
jonnhid jonnhid is offline
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Default Re: Camshaft synchronizer (maybe??) help

So I got home from work early yesterday and started working on the truck. One thing I hadn't mentioned in my earlier posts was that due to research about the camshaft synchronizer and a recommendation from a buddy (Who is not a mechanic by any means but who does alot of his own work, like myself) I had already purchased a camshaft synchronizer but wanted to do a little more research first. I put the synch in yeaterday afternoon and took it for a test ride, I punched it going uphill and got it up to around 4500RPM and there was no sign of any hesitation so I think that took care of it.

I appreciate your input and suggestions and will keep an eye on the things you suggested should the problem return, but for now I'm willing to call the problem solved.
Thanks again.
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Old 10-19-2012, 05:46 AM
FordRanger4x4 FordRanger4x4 is offline
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Default Re: Camshaft synchronizer (maybe??) help

Glad you got it fixed.
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