Engine Squeak

[MDmounty]

I've had an engine squeak for a while and it's progressively gotten worse. It seems to happen when I start the truck up and when I accelerate mainly. I've put a new belt on with no luck. I read one of the stickys about engine squeak so I took my belt off and started my engine. It didn't squeak until I hit the gas a little other than that it ran fine. The thread said it could be my camshaft position sensor. I rotated all the pulleys just to be sure that it wasn't one of them squeaking and it wasn't. So my question is: does it sound like it is a camshaft position sensor since it didn't squeak until I gave it some gas or could it be another problem?
I just don't want to go through all the trouble buying a new one and installing it if it does not fix the problem. Thanks for any help
I have a 2000 v8 mounty

 

[lobo411]

I have a similar squeak. Have you put a stethoscope on it? I noticed that I have a "screeeeeeee" sound for the first few minutes on cold startup when I listen to the rear passenger valve cover. However, the sound I get when I'm not using a steth is more of an occasional mouse-squeak.

My squeak goes away after the engine's hot. I noticed that the "screeeeee" sound goes away too, so I figure that's the cause of it. Not really sure what to do about it and at the moment it just seems to be an annoyance. I might try an oil cleaner additive or a thinner oil on the theory that oil isn't getting through some of the rods.

 

[Flash]

It will be your camshaft position sensor.
Koda will be along shortly to tell you all about it and what you can do about it.

 

[lobo411]

Oh ya...I was wondering what that little plastic nub was when I replaced my lower intake manifold gaskets last year. Should have replaced it then! I think I'll wait until mine gets a lot more annoying, though.

Of course, this makes my "screeeeee" sound over the rocker arms a lot more disconcerting...

 

[Turdle]

If it squeaks with the belt removed it is indeed the cam sensor synch drive unit.

 

[Rhett]

yep camshaft synchronizer. At least on your 302 it is easier to change. On my 4.0 OHV it is a bear getting to it. Just make sure your engine is timed properly when you reinstall.

 

[MDmounty]

There is an alignment tool for replacing that right I read about installing a new one everyone says it's not as hard as they make it sound

 

[rathrbcruisin]

try oiling the Camshaft Synchronizer

 

[lobo411]

Thanks for the vid...yep, that's exactly the chirp! Mine is definitely temperature dependent...it chirps a lot in cold weather (in fact, it never chirped before this winter), and not at all when the morning temps are over 65 degrees or so. I'll probably wait until winter, since the hot weather is upon us and the engine is quiet as can be. Good to know what the issue is, though, and that I don't have a dying pump bearing that might leave me stranded!

 

[Rhett]

To your point...my truck ran 80,000 miles with a cold-weather chirping cam synchronizer.

 

[lobo411]

That's good to hear, Rhett! Either I've gotten lazy or I've gotten smart, but...a few years ago I'd do whatever it took to fix even a minor annoyance. Now that the truck is 20 y/o...all I have to do is look at those plastic connectors sideways and they shatter. So now, I try to leave well enough alone!