On my 2003 3.0L my cam synchronizer is starting to go. Does anyone know if this part has been superceded by Ford to a better then original one? And what is the latest part number. Thanks

 

What symptoms are you getting that point towards the CPS assy? In trying to figure out what was wrong with mine, Ford replaced the CPS assy. The p/n listed on the invoice is: F8DZ*12A362*AA. I recall seeing a price around $180-$200 on one of the papers but I didn't get a copy of it since mine was still covered under warranty.

My issue was the engine cutting out/misfiring after it warmed up and a cricket, "chirping" noise when under load. The misfiring was a bad set of plug wires. The boots were bad quality and after heating up became very pliable, allowing the spark to burn a hole through a arc on the exhaust manifold. The cricket sound was a small crack on the underside of the exhaust manifold. They replaced both under the original warranty for the truck.

 

There is a technical bulletin out on 2000 to 2003 3.0L that says some may get a " buck/jerk and miss during drive cycle" Mine gets this random jerk/ buck every now and then. the bulletin says it will not produce a code or CEL and this is the same on mine, no CEL or code. Also I get a bit of chirp type noise when cold just after start up but goes away, again random,not all the time, and it is not the belt.
This pretty much leads me to believe it is the synchronizer. not the cam sensor attached to the top of it. I believe what happens is when the gear gets some wear in it, it then can buck a little do the the extra slop and this gives a wrong reading so the injector fires at the wrong time and in turn produces the buck or jerk.

I believe you had the sensor replaced, but it is the synchronizer that the bulletin refers to as the part that goes bad.

 

Hey 500, Don't buy the aftermarket version, (Dorman) I did and within 10k miles it broke and I had to rebuild my engine. I bought the Ford Cam Sync from the dealer. yes it's expensive but worth it., around $150. Stick with Motorcraft for this part. Also a quick fix before you get a new Cam Sync, and you need to get a new one, is to take off the sensor and squirt some oil down the sync. that will stop the squeak for a few days. My Ford dealer didn't have the Cam Sync in stock and had to order it. Just a couple of days and it was in.

 

There's several posts on here about it including information on it and troubleshooting it. You might want to search.

 

Thanks for the replies, I've done a search and read up on it. Yep no doram for me, I'll get a OEM one. Also I was wondering about adding a few holes in the new one to see if it may pick up some oil splash to help keep it lubed. Also with the old one that is still in there I did remove the sensor and put a little oil in, It did reduce the chirping a bit but not completly.