98 ford 5.0 makes noise from distributor shift area .a sqeeking I thought it was a pully but with stethoscope how bad can this get

Asked by Michael Dec 24, 2014 at 11:26 PM about the 1998 Ford Explorer

Question type: General

1 Answer

103,225

That is most likely the camshaft position sensor/cam synchronizer. When it starts to go bad it can sound like a high-pitched squeak and will get progressively worse. The shaft is used to turn the oil pump. The official way to replace it is with a special tool that is only sold through a dealer, but there is a simpler way to replace it without the tool. Just Google "replace camshaft position sensor" for Ford engines. I did mine not long ago on a 4.6L Crown Vic. Hopefully in your case it's the cam position sensor making the noise, which is fairly easy to replace and not the cam synchronizer, which is the more complicated one to replace - both can make that squeaking noise. Check to see if you have any trouble codes too.

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