Cam Sensor Question

[darkred87T]

My engine has a "rapping" noise and it seems to be coming from right under the cam sensor cap.(using a stethescope) However, when I removed the cap, there was no visible damage and the cam sensor itself does'nt seem loose. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what else it could be.

 

[SpeednV6]

Check your tensioner. Spray some WD-40 and see if it goes away.

 

[TurboSlacker]

Not unusual to have the cam sensor make a ticking noise. It's caused by the shaft moving up and down. Your spring washer may be tired or there's an excessive gap. Some have had success shimming the cam sensor with distributor shims. Others just replace it with a new one. Search this site for "cam sensor noise" and you'll get all the info you need on fixing it. You do need to understand how to reset your sensor properly or else the engine won't run.

 

[darkred87T]

Thanks, I ran the car wih the belt off and the ticking noise was still there. Is it possible that a loose cam sensor could screw up ignition timing?

 

[scottyb]

Originally posted by darkred87T
Thanks, I ran the car wih the belt off and the ticking noise was still there. Is it possible that a loose cam sensor could screw up ignition timing?

No, sort of.
Timing is from the crank sensor.
Fuel timing and ignition timing is initially from the cam sensor, then from the crank sensor after it establishes #1 TDC. (in 21 words or less)
If the cam sensor is "out of time", you'll KNOW it! It will fire the injector on the wrong cylinder.

FWIW, about 25% of my cam sensor noise went away after I installed a new complete sensor.

The remaining 75% of noise went away after I replaced the SLOPPY timing chain set.