Ford Ranger Finding Top Dead Center for Camshaft Position Synchronizer Install

[@EagleXYZLibertarianForChrist]

I like the rhino lined Ranger. I know a guy who also rhino lined his Ranger & it looks amazing.

[@steverugerguy9606]

Just watch as you remove it as it will turn slightly ...then put the new one in the exact same place....let it turn as it goes down to the seated position......best to mark it on the block before removing.....marks lined up...you are good to go....regardless where number 1 piston was.....

[@alfredo2846]

Does the camshaft synconizor have to be in while you put it on dead zero?

[@filibertofonseca8083]

@@alfredo2846 from what I hear. Yes

[@rossklein7603]

You are a life saver!!! I replaced my syncronizer but I terribly misplaced it and now I’m having a misfire. Perfect video to fix the issue!!

[@chasingmustangs]

Glad to help, thanks for the feedback

[@jamesconnor9142]

Im thinking your snychronizer moved internally with out the tool on top to keep it still when removing it and prevent you turning the shaft

[@tonynoel2292]

yes you can do only the top , that is the cam sensor,just pull the 2 screws and slip off the sensor,do not pull the 1 10 mm bolt and slip the whole shaft out, there is no reason to,if your replacing the whole thing the it better to set it up on number 1, or mark the edge of the aluminum were the little pointer is at and put it back in the excact same way black marker works

[@redbustourguide]

Great video I liked and subscribed.

[@Veinslayer554]

Does the oil pump intermediate shaft come out with the synchronizer? I replaced the synchronizer and didn't see it when I pulled it out and when I put the new one in im now getting no oil pressure reading on my gauge

[@chasingmustangs]

No, it does not come out. The shaft is held into the pump with a retainer clip. The synchronizer has a gear that connected to the camshaft, which then drives the oil pump. I would validate the shaft did not come out of the oil pump and is stuck in the block (highly unlikely). I would also validate the synchronizer is grabbing the camshaft gear. The only other possible issue is the shaft is rounded off and not engaging the synchronizer. Hopefully this helps.

[@MrWatlow]

I think my timing chain jumped a few teeth because it tries to start but won’t. I get back firing through the throttle body. I replaced cam and crank sensors so they’re not the problem. How do I find TDC when valves are open on what should be a compression stroke? My car is an 01 Taurus 3.0 OHV engine

[@chasingmustangs]

You can put your finger in cylinder number 1 or use a use pressure gauge on cylinder 1 and rotate the engine until you feel/see pressure. That will show you, you are on the compression stroke. Once you determine the compression stroke, then look at the harmonic balancer markings and see if it is lined up with Top Dead Center (TDC). If it does not line up, then timing jumped.

[@redbustourguide]

Hey there great video. I have a 03 ranger with 3.0 and it squeals when accelerating all belts and pulleys ok no engine light and it idles just fine could it be the cam synchronizer? Or just the sensor? Thanks guys! I liked and subscribed thanks for any help!

[@chasingmustangs]

The Sync usually makes a load chirping noise and the noise will get loader at more RPM"s. I would double check water pump and power steering pump. You are hearing more noise because the car is at higher RPM's when accelerating.

[@redbustourguide]

@@chasingmustangs New power steering pump and brand new waterpump installed the other day and the noise still there just installed the new cam synchronizer and sensor... noise still there oh well ill drive it until it quits. Thanks

[@redbustourguide]

Pulleys all spun freely with no noise. Mysterious noise oh well.

[@chasingmustangs]

@@redbustourguide How about idler pulley, did you replace that as well?

[@redbustourguide]

@@chasingmustangs it sounded just fine . The only time it makes a noise is when i accelerate hard never when .just cruising no other time it makes a noise. Idles fine drives great no fuel economy issues nothing. Every pulley seemed to be fine. I sprayed wd40 behind it and then drove it and it didn't change a thing. 1000 mile trip to Colorado Sunday ill keep you updated if and when i.figure out wth the noise is coming from. Thanks!!!

[@focuskid17]

Not sure if your still active but I'm in the process of rebuilding my 3.0. When you are starting from nothing how do I know my cam is in the right position when install to also make sure I'm putting the synchro in the correct spot? Thanks

[@chasingmustangs]

Are you putting in a new timing chain and need to line up the crank and cam shaft?

[@focuskid17]

@@chasingmustangs I'm doing a complete rebuild, new crank,rods,pistons, timing everything inside the motor.

[@chasingmustangs]

@@focuskid17 I would have to write a book to tell you haw to realign everything. I recommend purchasing a manual to make sure you follow the process and don't bend any valves. But there is timing marks (dots) on the crank shaft and camshaft you have to align to each other. Some 3.0's are offset by 5 degrees and depending on the year of your truck, the instructions could be deferent.

[@focuskid17]

@@chasingmustangs ya I purchased a subscription to All Data so I should be 🙂

[@j.santosh.l.6386]

So, when those 2 points are aligned to 0 the sync should be on the center of the sensor? And if not, just move it around to position it?

[@chasingmustangs]

When the tab is the middle of the gap, it is a top dead center. You can move it around to get the tab into the middle of the gap.

[@sheltonbeeman7721]

If I pulled my synchronizer out already can I still put it to top dead center without messing the computer or anything up

[@chasingmustangs]

Yes, just make sure to use the alignment tool during the install.

[@sheltonbeeman7721]

@@chasingmustangs alright thank you

[@fillmorerock4219]

I have a squeaking noise coming from this area of my engine on my 2005 Ranger. It almost sounds like a belt squealing but not exactly. I heard this part could cause that. Is that possible?

[@chasingmustangs]

Yes, the cam sync will make a squeaking noise when it is going bad. If you pull it out and turn it by hand, you will know if it is the part making the noise.

[@fillmorerock4219]

@@chasingmustangs it was the synchronizer chirping. I replaced it in about an hour. Hardest part was lining it up perfectly. It's difficult because it rotates slightly when pulling it out.

[@chasingmustangs]

@@fillmorerock4219 Did you make sure it was top dead center when replacing?

[@willday4683]

So on my ranger, I just restabbed the synchronizer to the markings on the timibg cover at TDC and my mileage is TERRIBLE now.. getting 13 mpg city and maybe 15 highway.. I got TDC at compression, but I used the markings on the cover. What did I do wrong? No more codes and it runs greater than ever, but the mileage is killing me

[@chasingmustangs]

What year is your truck and what engine?

[@willday4683]

@@chasingmustangs 2004 Edge 3.0 V6. Wires changed a year or so ago, brand new plugs, coil, fuel filter. camshaft synchronizer was restabbed but is still the old one. New crankshaft sensor about a year ago. Cleaned the injectors with jet fuel

[@chasingmustangs]

@@willday4683 Did you use the black cap or blue cap alignment tool?

[@willday4683]

@@chasingmustangs I didn’t have an alightment tool, so at TDC I just stabbed it and adjusted, like you said in your video, you can just turn the top! And made sure that at TDC, the tab was dead center of the gap before tightening everything down! Thought I’ve had pretty rough gas mileage well before I restabbed the cam sync

[@chasingmustangs]

@@willday4683 any other signs of issues on your truck? Rough idle, etc.. I have two 3.0 in my fleet and they both get 14mpg in city. So you are not far off. If you have any broken vacuum lines it will effect gas mileage.

[@modelbuilder68]

Which socket i need to turn The crankshaft to align mark top dead Center?

[@chasingmustangs]

15/16 socket

[@chasingmustangs]

sorry it is a 13/16

[@andrewrodriguez8492]

Do I have to find the compression stroke also to properly install the cam sync?

[@chasingmustangs]

I recommend it, to make sure you are installing the Cam sync correctly. If you are confident the original is placed correctly, then you don't have to follow the instructions.

[@andrewrodriguez8492]

@@chasingmustangs so I aligned the cam synchro with the engine tdc and the check engine light came back on with the same code. Any idea what could be the problem NOW?!

[@badcrcz]

@@andrewrodriguez8492 Did you ever figure out that problem? I saw somewhere one guy's connector wasn't seating all the way. Mine has a broken tab on the connector so I need to secure it somehow.

[@andrewrodriguez8492]

@@badcrcz what code did you get when scanning the truck's computer?

[@badcrcz]

@@andrewrodriguez8492 P1309 "replace cam shaft position sensor". It might be just my sensor but I'm replacing the synchronizer and the sensor because when I did an engine swap the old synchronizer was a little sloppy. Drove new engine about 100 miles so far and got P1309 code.

[@sg4218]

Hello if I only replaced the top cam sensor does it have to be at top dead center?

[@chasingmustangs]

As long as you don't remove the bolt that hold the cam sync unit, you can replace the sensor without worry.

[@DiezCallejeros]

i installed the new synchronizer with the tool it comes with but did not put the crankshaft in dead center. could i still put it in center with the synchronizer in ?

[@chasingmustangs]

If you think you put the new one in, in exactly the same position as the original, you are probably ok. I would recommend putting the crankshaft at top dead center to be safe.

[@DiezCallejeros]

@@chasingmustangs i did put it in top dead center now , but still turns off when i reverse and feels like it looses power when i accelerate after being at a stop

[@chasingmustangs]

@@DiezCallejeros did it have the issue before you replaced the synchronizer?

[@DiezCallejeros]

@@chasingmustangs no it only shut off the day the check engine came on, which is why i replaced the synchronizer. now i didnt put it on tdc before taking off the synchronizer, i did use the tool to keep the synchronizer in place but i think i need to re do it. put the crankshaft on tdc, take off the synchronizer use the tool to keep it in place and should be good ?

[@chasingmustangs]

@@DiezCallejeros did you double check TDC was on the compression stroke and not the exhaust stroke?

[@ryantaube6546]

My 1996 has a half moon tab ? So how I line it up ??

[@sn95_elitist12]

Ryan Taube just a different style alignment tool.

[@franciscojsarellano3502]

So, it doesn't matter where the sensor its pointing? Non sense to me,.. well, you have not idea what you are doing but at least you are working safe

[@chasingmustangs]

The sensor, which is on top of the synchronizer, can point any direction. As long as the tab is in the middle, which is show in the video.

[@dxta7360]

Nice song. Pls any link to the song?

[@chasingmustangs]

I wrote the blues songs myself. Never been published.

[@mercmarc]

If your going to have music at least have something good like Pantera or Slayer.

[@chasingmustangs]

I stopped putting music in videos several years ago. Lol

[@scottguthrie8074]

What's with the horrible music??

[@chasingmustangs]

I no longer put music in my videos. Everybody complained, so I stopped going it.

[@Mazzotti0]

@@chasingmustangs I thought the music was good. Some people suck