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Dorman Front timing cover problems???

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Old Nov 14, 2012 | 08:15 PM
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Dorman Front timing cover problems???

Hi guys,

So i have a problem that is stumping me.. Just replaced a front cover on a 2002 f-350.. 7.3...

Used a dorman cover, as it was easy to get as the dealer one was not....

get the job done, truck wont run.. It sets a cam sensor code. PO344, and a 1670 code for feedback from the idm...

swapped out a known good ipr,
swapped out a known good cmp

No avail, codes are after short crank, and keep recurring..

Truck will " try to start" hit run for two or so seconds, lots of smoke, and die out...

Im almost thinking that the dorman cover has the wrong air gap? but looking for any ideas at this point, Im almost out of hair to pull out....

I have not been able to verify rpm signal to pcm, as my scan tool is not able to do live data while cranking, Hopefully will be demoing one tomorrow to try to get that information..

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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Old Nov 14, 2012 | 08:24 PM
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Have you pulled the CPS to make sure the gap wasn't too small and the cam gear didn't chew up the CPS? Have you measured the distance between the gear and cover? I didn't even know Dorman made a front cover for these engines.

How long have you tried cranking? You've got to build ICP oil and work the air out of the lines before the truck will run. What else did you do while you had the engine out?
 
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Old Nov 14, 2012 | 09:09 PM
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I know the cmp is not touching as I swapped it out for one out of my personal truck wich I drove to my shop. And all I did was a front cover its pretty in depth as the engine was Out and pan off I see nothing left loose or not connected only those two codes.

And yes dorman makes a cover but I'd never use another!!
 
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 10:08 PM
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Alright well got it fugured out..


the Dorman front cover is JUNK... air gap of the cam sensor was way out of spec, By aprox .236"..........

I guess its time to re-pull the engine, as you cant make the sensor any longer!
 
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 10:15 PM
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Front cover was changed in January 1998. That change affected the air gap, so you may have gotten an older one....?
 
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 10:19 PM
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IF you wan't OEM Clay has them.

Riffraff Diesel: Ford OEM Front Cover
 
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 10:34 PM
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If 1998 was different I wonder if I run an older cam sensor if I can avoid changing the cover out?!?!

I'll be measuring up sensors tomorrow !!

And I know clay has the oem ones I checked him out before I started but it was a time crunch and the local parts store had a dorman in stock so I went with them. Big mistake
 
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 10:36 PM
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Do you have live data reading capabilities?

Can you see the RPM signal? PW signal?

Inspect all the wiring for the cps?
 
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Old Nov 15, 2012 | 10:39 PM
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Yes had rpm signal but very dirty. I built up a sensor with spacer till I got it to touch cam gear and then subtracted .020 from That and machined sensor to set into that depth. Truck runs great but I'd like it to be a permanent repair as its a customer vehicle ....
 
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Old Nov 16, 2012 | 02:17 AM
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This info is from the 98 updates for 99 models, but it is interesting. I have more...just need to dig it up.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2012 | 02:23 AM
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Here it is....notice that the trigger wheel has a tiny slot for #1 and on the opposite side of the wheel (180 deg out) there is an extra long "window" for the #4 cyl. This is how it reads the timing, with all the other cylinders being the same size "windows".
 
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Old Nov 16, 2012 | 02:38 AM
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And this is how that signal is put to use...
 
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Old Nov 16, 2012 | 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by ATC_250SX
If 1998 was different I wonder if I run an older cam sensor if I can avoid changing the cover out?!?!
No. Sorry, but no. I'm running a pre-99 CPS in my 02 right now. I've also run the CPS designed for the 02. There isn't enough difference between the new vs. old to fix your issue.

C93 CPS for the OBS trucks (that's currently in my 02 now)



Recall CPS that Ford came out with for my 02 that ran ok, but when compared to the black one above, the idle was rougher



Originally Posted by ATC_250SX
Alright well got it fugured out..


the Dorman front cover is JUNK... air gap of the cam sensor was way out of spec, By aprox .236"..........

I guess its time to re-pull the engine, as you cant make the sensor any longer!
Does the front cover flare out where the CPS mounts where you could file it down perhaps, or did they just make it so wrong that it's too deep? I'm guessing that would effect oil pressure as well with too big a gap in front of the LPOP.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2012 | 07:43 PM
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Looks like the boss for the cmp is just to talk poor quality? I'm just running the sensor I machined to fit currently. It's working so I'm leaving it as is
 
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Old Nov 16, 2012 | 07:51 PM
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Originally Posted by ATC_250SX
I'm just running the sensor I machined to fit currently. It's working so I'm leaving it as is
Make a spare and throw it in the glove box just to be on the safe side. You don't want a CPS failure to strand you.
 
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