Recently had my check engine light come on on my 2009 F150 Ford King Ranch. Took to a repair shop down the street and they replaced the camshaft position sensor. Turned out that was not the problem because the check engine light came right back on. They told me they needed a day or so to track down the problem and that I would need to leave the truck. Since I had an errand or two to run, I took it back this morning and they called me back within 15 minutes to say it needed a new camshaft phaser and that the cost would be between $3,000 and $4,000. The engine is ticking but not to the point that I think it is excessive. I brought the truck home while I ponder what to do. Are there any codes that show up with a bad phaser other than the one that showed up saying it was a bad camshaft position sensor.

 

Please post the exact numeric codes.

3 grand for a phaser job? Find a different shop, they are majorly ripping you off. It's probably half that price at the Ford dealer!

Are you using the recommended Motorcraft 5W20 oil and Motorcraft FL820S filter? If not you are asking for VCT issues.

 

It was pulling 2 codes.
P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Bank 1 or Single Sensor
and P0344 which is the same thing except it said Intermittent.

I do use 5W20 oil but I did not use the Motorcraft filter.

 

Whatever you do, do NOT use a Fram filter.

 

Both are potential effects of root-cause cam phasers/VCT/timing chains/tensioners issues.

MGD

 

I just checked and it was a Purolator Oil Filter.

 

What confuses me is that the engine does not sound like a diesel as others talk about on the forum and it drives well. Starts up with no problem and is not missing. Just wonder why the P0340 code would be thrown if it is not a camshaft position sensor.

 

I also see on the forum where the alternator could possibly be causing the P0340 and P0344 codes to be thrown if it is going bad. Any possibilities here? I replaced the engine on this truck with a brand new Ford engine to the tune of $7,000 a year ago. I don't plan on putting in another $2K or $3K....if that is the cost. I would also hope Ford would replace the problem since I have a 3 year engine warranty with unlimited mileage.

 

Purolators are okay, they actually make the MC filter.

If you have a warranty from Ford on the engine, take it to Ford and see what they say. Don't clear the codes.

 

I will do that this week. Thank you for your help.

 

Well, I took it to Ford today and just received a call from my SA who said they think he problem is with the PCM. He told me the Camshaft Position Sensor checks out OK but when their diagnostic tools look for the next step, it says replace the PCM. Since I just replaced the engine 10,000 miles ago, he feels the problem is with the PCM and not with the camshaft phaser...but he is just guessing. If not the PCM, the phaser would be the next thing and that is under warranty from Ford. Doesn't seem right that I have to buy a new PCM only to find out that the problem lies with the camshaft phaser. Maybe I am just not smart enough to ask the RIGHT questions.

 

If the engine is ticking, get them to fix that FIRST on warranty. A PCM won't cause a tick.

 

It is not ticking at this point. Engine only has 10,000 miles on it

 

Well....the show goes on. After replacing the PCM, the dealership said that was not the problem as the check engine light came back on. I asked them if they could put the old PCM back in and of course, they said no. Also asked them if they checked the alternator and they told me that was the first thing they did. So.....the problem is within the engine according to the dealership. Gave them authorization to start taking the engine apart under warrant to find the problem. This morning they told me they had a new head and new camshaft on order and they expected to be complete Friday. At this point, I wish the engine had been ticking because I would have saved the cost of the PCM.

Anyway, it disturbs me somewhat that when I had a problem with no compression on one cylinder a year ago, and the engine was no longer under warranty, that they said I had to replace the engine to the tune of $7,300. Now, when they know it is under warranty, they can tear down the engine and replace MAJOR engine components, NO PROBLEM.

 

Well the story has finally ended. The Ford dealership finished up the truck last night and told me that one of the bolts that holds the camshaft to the head was not torqued down properly and was rattling around totally loose. That must have been the reason the phasers were not working properly and therefore the check engine light came on. Thanks Ford.