Mark Cameron

Your engine bay looks very clean so somebody must have steam cleaned it. I would check the pin terminals in the pcm plugs, there might be just corroded or a poor connection

FlatTop

I appreciate all the suggestions. I bought the truck home. It runs great except going up long, steep inclines. It still runs and can maintain the speed limit but it spits & coughs and runs like crud.
I bought the OBD2 reader and got the Bluetooth app for my phone. Using Torque Pro (lite).

The codes I got are:

P0011 - A P0011 code refers to the VVT (variable valve timing) or VCT (variable camshaft timing) components and the car's PCM (powertrain control module) or ECM (engine control module). VVT is a technology used in the engine to allow it to get greater power or efficiency at different running points.

P0021 - P0021 code refers to the VVT (variable valve timing) or VCT (variable camshaft timing) components and the car's PCM (powertrain control module) or ECM (engine control module). VVT is a technology used in the engine to allow it to get greater power or efficiency at different running points.

P0340 - P0340 code indicates that a problem was detected in the camshaft position sensor circuit. problem could lie in any part of the circuit - the sensor itself, the wiring, or the PCM.

Next step: Spend some quality time tracing wiring and looking at connectors? How do I test the sensor? I saw a YouTube video saying it could be a bad Alternator.

I appreciate any insight and suggestions.

Ecobuilder

First thing to do after checking your oil level is pull the VCTs out and clean/inspect.

Make sure:

• they're OEM Motorcraft
• clean and sludge free
• the screens are intact
• the solenoid is working

Use a screwdriver type Torx 27. You'll probably have to replace the VCT seals in the valve cover as they usually don't survive the removal process.

FlatTop

Thanks Ecobuilder, I will give it a shot.

Ecobuilder

When you pull the VCTs, take a pic or two of them and post on here. Especially the screens.

FlatTop

i haven't had a chance to pull the VCTs yet because I am out of on business but before I left I took a look and the connector to the Camm Positioning Sensor was disconnected. I plugged it back in and it would start but ran VERY poorly. It would run for a few seconds to a minute and then just die. I unplugged it again and it runs like it did before. Not great... but gets me around town and to the airport.

Ecobuilder

Passenger side?

That could explain your P0340 code.

FlatTop

Yes it is on passenger side.

FlatTop

Well I thought I'd wrap up this thread. I took my truck to another shop. They took a quick look at it and said "Cam Phasers". $2800 later it runs like a top and I get another mile per gallon. There is still a slight miss when I kick in the blower but I don't do that often and I think I can live with it.

Thanks for the information and help! I appreciate this forum.
dt

tlrtucker

Once I saw post #22 I was going to wager it was the cam phasers. Did they do the entire timing job or just the phasers?