This is in my Taurus SHO, not a truck, but wondering if anyone else has ever experienced or heard of this sort of thing.

Only 1000 miles on it so far, but scanned it for the heck of it and found this code. No SES light. Waited a few days, didn't go away, cleared the DTCs, and came back in a couple of days.

Saw it happen this morning, light came on for a split second and went right back off. It was while I was really REALLY on it, I think it might have been during an upshift.

Seems to me that when the RPMs drop real fast, the computer expects to advance the cam quickly and it lags.

Could be a calibration bug (computer doesn't wait long enough for it to happen), a sticky solenoid, cam phaser sticking, whatever.

Just curious is anyone had any ideas on it before I take the leap to bring it to the Ford dealer - which I am going to avoid as much as possible

 

Oh, and just for the record, the P0012 is CAM "A" too retarded.

 

Sorry for the delay Art, I just caught this one. I'd say a trip to the dealer is in order. Their diagnostic equipment is far superior to my hand held and can likely detect an issue or even reflash the onboard computer.

 

Sounds like a VCT Oil Control Solenoid acting up.

 

That's what I'm thinking. How easy is that to get at?

 

Valve cover has to come off. The VCT valves are what is sticking out of your valve cover.

Intake VCT may come off but think you may have to remove the upper link chain to get the exhaust one off. Pretty involved. Special tools etc

Ford shows a warning for what type of silicone is used to seal area where timing cover meets head when you re-install the valve cover. Supposedly if the wrong silicone is used it will cause engine oil to foam causing severe engine damage . . .

If you were close I would offer to throw the Ford Scan tool on it to watch the cam timing events.

a quick couple pics

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<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v513/CalypsoCoralBoss302/1966%20F250%20352%20Red%20Red/Engine%20Shop%20Manual/sb2usenfilen0121012jpggenref_zps599eec65.jpg"><br/><br/>
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v513/CalypsoCoralBoss302/1966%20F250%20352%20Red%20Red/Engine%20Shop%20Manual/sb2usenfilen0124002jpggenref_zps03490452.jpg">
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Great pics!

I wonder, if break-in oil, or the wrong oil put in by the dealer, can cause this?

I haven't seen the check engine light come on at all. The flickering I saw in the dash was actually the traction/stability system, I think

Scanned it just yesterday, code still there, no light.

I have an SCT X3 I'm trying to get upgraded to be able to datalog this, and I do have a bluetooth dongle that I have to get more experience with.

I should really call the dealer, but ... hate to go that route without a FULL understanding of the issue.