Camshaft position syncronizer squeaking, '98 3.8 Mustang - under hood

[steelerfunk]

Do you need to replace the camshaft syncronizer to get rid of the sqeaking , or will replacing the sensor fix everything.

[jonathanstotts]

@steelerfunk The syncronizer assembly is what contains the bearings that go bad. The sensor simply sits on top with no moving parts.

[charles81265]

NOTE: It is VERY important that the Synchronizer be phased properly when installed! Or engine damage will result! (from incorrect fuel timing)

[charles81265]

This is a VERY, VERY, common problem with the 3.0L, 3.8L, and (4.0L "X" code engine) any technician worth his weight in Snap-On tools will go right to it when he sees what engine package is in the vehicle! 28 Year Master, L-1 Technician

[bmabbott1]

Thanks for this post... I thought my AC clutch was going out... but this was definitely it! Thank you!

[pburk23]

After replacing my CPS to get rid of the awful squeaking noise this morning, my 2001 mustang rattles very heavily at the 2100 RPM mark, and again at the 4K mark, regardless of what gear I'm in. Any idea what might be causing this? It wasn't doing it at all before I replaced the CPS.

[slowscort]

Thats what my 4.0 does in my ranger not that bad it only does it when it's cold and i have no engine light on so i'm not going to worry about it

[lowe442]

Hey man THANK YOU so much for posting. Your video is EXACTLY whats happening with my 02 v6 right now. However I cant figure out where the Camshaft Position Sensor is located?

[jonathanstotts]

@lowe442 @lowe442 It's under the coil pack (what the spark wires connect to). You'll have to remove it and the bracket it sits on, I believe. Google the sensor you're looking for to get an idea of what it looks like.

[dondfromdc]

Around 12sec it sounded like music

[robbie1674563]

why does it squeak when the bearings get bad?

[jonathanstotts]

@robbie1674563 I would guess it's metal-on-metal sound, either from lack of lubrication or deformed bearings

[robbie1674563]

ouch my ears makes my teeth grit what a horrible racket thats the same exact squeaking when a rod bearing spins terrible sound execpt a thumping along with the squeaking

[escamoter22]

I have a 2002 mustang with the same noise and they replaced my belt even though I told them the belt had been replaced once already. This video just helped me immensely. I bet it's the CPS.  Thanks!

[jonathanstotts]

@escamoter22 Welcome - another satisfied customer!

[charles81265]

@escamoter22 This called a CMP (camshaft position) Synchronizer assembly and is a very common failure!

[physics2010]

-I replaced idle pulley (no chatter, but stiff and bearing rattled so I don't feel bad about the "wasted" $20 and 5 minutes).

-Replaced belt ($30 carrying the old as a spare along now)

-The sound wasn't coming from any pulley that I could tell with stethoscope, but I couldn't believe it wasn't.

-Narrowed it down to water pump area and then googled since I didn't want to pull it and found CPS on modded mustang. Good video to verify squeak. Very helpful

[vjp333]

I owe you a beer... My '99 Mercury Mountaineer had this exact same squeak (even after Goodyear Gemini took me for $750 to replace the alternator and water pump, which did NOTHING, those incompetent idiots). When I heard this video it was like "damn! that's it!" and it sure enough it was.

[jonathanstotts]

@vjp333 Glad to be of help! This is exactly why I went to the trouble of putting these on here. You know, a good method for precisely locating troublesome noises is this -- grab a long screwdriver or other thin metal pole, press one end to your ear, and place the other end against various spots under the hood while the engine's running. Pulley shafts, alternator body, water pump, etc. Will it narrow it down quickly. Your friends at Goodyear might need to learn this trick too...

[supercriz]

By the way, I have a 3.8L V6 mustang too, but mine's a '97.

[supercriz]

Hi Jonathan. My car has the exact same sound!! I first heard it a few days ago and it's driving me crazy. At first I thought it was a pulley, but when I saw this video, I am now 90 percent sure it's the CPS. I saw your "fixed" video and hopefully I can breathe the same sigh of relief after I replace my CPS. I've replaced it a long time ago, and it was pretty simple, so I'm going to Autozone later today to buy one and do the fix tonight. Thanks for the videos, wish me luck! :)

[jonathanstotts]

@supercriz did you get it fixed - was this the problem?

[supercriz]

@jonathanstotts I took it into a shop to have them replace the CPS and they said there's no way it's the CPS so they replaced some other things. They wouldn't listen to me. Well I got the car back and the sound came back. I was going to take it back a week later but for some reason the sound went away. Just waiting for it to come back again before I take it in and tell them to replace the CPS and nothing else. I know it'll be back...

[jonathanstotts]

@supercriz Understand that it's the bearings in the camshaft syncronizer squeaking here, not the sensor! Try that one on them next time...