Chirping noise from Ford 3.0 Vulcan engine

[ZZman]

If you hear a strange chirping noise coming from your Ford Taurus or other Ford vehicle that has a 3.0 V-6 engine it is probably the Cam Synchronizer bearing going bad. This looks like a small distributor when pulled out and it sits under the air intake area. It can be replaced for under $ 75.00 by someone with decent do it yourself skills. If Ford does it it can be expensive.

 

[Johnny]

I've driven a lot of 3.0 Ford's and have never heard of this problem. I would like to see a picture of this gadget.

 

[ZZman]

http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=43437
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/202004-camshaft-sensor-synchronizer-replacement-3.html

 

[Johnny]

Thanks. In the old days (50's and 60's) we just called that the oil pump drive gear. Or at least I did.

 

[MrCritical]

What kind of time frame could someone with the skills DIY?
What would a dealer charge?

 

[ZZman]

A reasonable person could do it in a hour or so.

Dealer part alone is over $ 200.00 then the hour or so labor so over $300.00.

 

[MrCritical]

Wow. I don't know any dealers that make that kind of money. I'll keep my eye out.

 

[JTK]

The 1996-2003 Ford Windstar 3.8L had the same cam sync sensor, that occasionally has the same issue. Kind of rare, but it did happen. Chirp-chirp-chirp.......

Joel

 

[bdcardinal]

sell a lot of them, not as much anymore, but its a common item. i think our techs get 2 hours to do it, we are at $110 an hour now.

 

[oilboy123]

People at Taurus car club are saying the Dorman replacement is not the way to go. Seems the OE Ford part or some other reputable company is the way to go.

I bought a Dorman coolant bottle from Dorman "Taurus" and it leaked at the welded seam. I bought a new bottle from Ford.

 

[ZZman]

I got a Dorman part and my brother in law replaced it. My daughter said it is still making noise on and off. Not sure if the Dorman part was bad or it was not lubed well before install.

But I would probably not go with the Chinese made Dorman part again.

 

[SD26]

Excellent information!

 

[Anduril]

I hear a chirping noise coming from my birdcage. Should I be alarmed?

 

[MrCritical]

Only if it's that "Birdcage" movie with Robin Williams.

 

[oilboy123]

Yes they talked about the Dormans having poor workmanship. The Ford part was A+ quality.

 

[artificialist]

The Ford 3.9 and 4.2 V6 can have the same problem. When the sensor does that, it can cause the engine to stall, because the engine computer cannot time the spark.

Anyway, many cars go for 10 years and 200,000 miles without a single sensor dying, so I wouldn't call the Motorcraft part an A+ quality part. That in mind, many cheap replacement sensors are terrible.