GEN 2 Cam phaser check engine light

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FordTechOne

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I know that @FordTechOne has indicated this issue does not present a long term performance or durability problem, however, when you look at the list of parts replaced in a lot of the repairs, you’ll see cams being replaced as well as the phaser. If there’s no performance or durability issue, why are the cams being replaced in these repairs and ditto the timing chain in some of the repairs? Sure, the SSM says the same thing, but that’s a lot of not insignificant cost to absorb for no long term durability or performance concerns.

If you know about a vehicle problem and do nothing to repair it then you’re almost asking for trouble. What if there is some collateral issue that’s not documented because it’s exceedingly rare, or you’re the first to see it?

The cams are never replaced for this concern; the reason you're seeing "cam" on repair orders is because the parts catalog lists the phaser as "cam", when in fact it's cam sprocket/phaser.

Timing chain should not be replaced either; what you are seeing is over-repairs by dealers, in which the parts end up back at the supplier or manufacturer's warranty analysis department and are determined to be "No Trouble Found" (NTF). Dealers regularly get charged back for over-repairs such as this.
 

metalwhiz

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The cams are never replaced for this concern; the reason you're seeing "cam" on repair orders is because the parts catalog lists the phaser as "cam", when in fact it's cam sprocket/phaser.

Timing chain should not be replaced either; what you are seeing is over-repairs by dealers, in which the parts end up back at the supplier or manufacturer's warranty analysis department and are determined to be "No Trouble Found" (NTF). Dealers regularly get charged back for over-repairs such as this.

FTO - Can you explain how flooring gas pedal and hitting start button before starting normally prevents the start up rattle? Oil pressure gauge seems to show oil pressure. Is oil being pushed up to phasers? Hasn't rattled once since I started doing this.
 

FordTechOne

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FTO - Can you explain how flooring gas pedal and hitting start button before starting normally prevents the start up rattle? Oil pressure gauge seems to show oil pressure. Is oil being pushed up to phasers? Hasn't rattled once since I started doing this.

Your theory is correct; you are essentially building oil pressure in the heads and phasers before startup. Since the rattle is caused by the locking pin failing to engage on engine shutdown, priming the oil system allows the phaser cavities to fill with oil before beginning to control camshaft timing.
 
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