Rattling, Cam Sensor, Phaser - 2004 LS8

[l3ftism]

Hello,

I have 2004 Lincoln LS8. I love the car but having some terrible issues. I have about 80,000 on the car and have always maintained it perfectly.

First I had some misfires. I changed the plugs and swapped out some of the coil packs with new ones I bought. No help so, I then put a crank position sensor in and it ran great for about a week. Then it slowly slipped back into the misfires again.

I thought it may be because I bought a cheap sensor or possible a short in the connector, so I bought a oem sensor. Well, I never got to put it in before the next problems started.

The engine started rattling terrible. Rough idle and would barely drive. So, I took it to a mechanic. He was getting around 18 codes so, everything pointed towards the computer. I purchased a new one and had it programmed. All the codes went away except for one. "PO340" or "P0340". Which is a cam position sensor.

We put a new cam position sensor on it and cleared the code. Engine still ran like crap (no change) and the code came back instantly. The timing chains appear to be tight so, I don't think its a tensioner.

I think these are my remaining possibilities;

phaser needs replacement, camshaft is damaged, tensioner, bent valve, weak valve spring

I just hate pouring more and more money into this only to find out the cost will surpass a newly rebuilt or used engine. Funds are limited.

If anyone has had the same experience, I would appreciate any input.

Thanks!
Tony

 

[SpeedLS]

You said you replaced the crank censor, but did you try the cam position censor? If you've done that, then look into the mechanical parts. As bad as it sounds, I'd look into the cam.

 

[ddrstired]

I have a ls the am radio reception is lousy.

 

[SpeedLS]

I have a ls the am radio reception is lousy.

So if you started your own thread on lousy am radio reception and this person posted on it about their cam phaser problem, would that help you with am radio reception?

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[ezaircon4jc]

Have you replaced ALL the COPs (the LS uses coil-on-plug, not coil packs) and plugs? A bad coil will kill a plug and vice versa so they should always be replaced as a unit; and all at the same time as when one goes the rest are very soon to follow! A marginal/failing coil rarely throws a code and driving with such will kill the very expensive catalytic converters as well as the PCM. Were the replaced coils Motorcraft (I believe the current revision is DG529) coils? Aftermarket coils don't play well in the LS. Were the connectors reseated correctly? Almost all misfires are be caused by bad coils/plugs. There is even a 2nd gen problem where a failing #4 coil emits stray RF energy confusing the PCM into thinking the ETC module is bad and throwing that code.