mechjames
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- September 27, 2007
- Messages
- 511
- Reaction score
- 2
- City, State
- Richmond, BC
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1994 Explorer XLT
I finally decided to find out how hard it was to pull the cam sensor on a wrecked explorer at the wrecker this weekend, after dealing with a 214 code that is on 95% of the time. With the hood off, it only took about 25 minutes, including the time to pull the upper intake off.
So I got a cam sensor, and it looks like it's been replaced before. Truck was high mileage (323,000km i believe) so I was a little worried, but I pulled out a bosch sensor, so I don't think its the stock sensor. Must be newer or replaced at least once.
The question is, i'm afraid of putting the alignment out when I reinstall. The bolt and tab that holds it on sorta resembles a distributor, right? So if I don't reinstall it on the same position (it looks like it can go in 6 different ways according to the teeth) wouldn't the timing be out?
Can I get away with replacing the top part of the sensor (the electrical part only). Its the part thats held on by two screws and has that little plastic window. That was the original part I took off, before I realized there was a bolt/tab holding it on. This way the alignment of the sensor will stay the same, since I believe it is just something electrical, as my 214 code will usually only come on once I start driving from an idle when I start the truck, but the CEL is on 95% of the time.
Seems like it should work, and its alot better then the 400$ napa wants for a new one.
I guess if i'm careful and seeing what position the sensor comes out, if it runs a little rough i can adjust it while its running and check the timing marks with a timing light, but its in such a bad spot already. Ford puts their distributors up front in the 302's, but why is this at the back of a v6?
So I got a cam sensor, and it looks like it's been replaced before. Truck was high mileage (323,000km i believe) so I was a little worried, but I pulled out a bosch sensor, so I don't think its the stock sensor. Must be newer or replaced at least once.
The question is, i'm afraid of putting the alignment out when I reinstall. The bolt and tab that holds it on sorta resembles a distributor, right? So if I don't reinstall it on the same position (it looks like it can go in 6 different ways according to the teeth) wouldn't the timing be out?
Can I get away with replacing the top part of the sensor (the electrical part only). Its the part thats held on by two screws and has that little plastic window. That was the original part I took off, before I realized there was a bolt/tab holding it on. This way the alignment of the sensor will stay the same, since I believe it is just something electrical, as my 214 code will usually only come on once I start driving from an idle when I start the truck, but the CEL is on 95% of the time.
Seems like it should work, and its alot better then the 400$ napa wants for a new one.
I guess if i'm careful and seeing what position the sensor comes out, if it runs a little rough i can adjust it while its running and check the timing marks with a timing light, but its in such a bad spot already. Ford puts their distributors up front in the 302's, but why is this at the back of a v6?