Ford F350 CPS Failure

Submitted: Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 05:37

ThreadID: 122772 Views:4646 Replies:4 FollowUps:4

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njthommo

I've just been through the pain of a CPS (camshaft positioning sensor) failure on our 2000 F350.
Last Monday the truck just died ten minutes out from home, just stopped for no apparent reason. After a few minutes it started with no problem, turned around and drove home but the truck died again in our driveway, another ten minute journey.
I changed out the fuel filter thinking it maybe clogged but it made no difference. Still died after running for another ten minutes. No dash lights indicating any problem.
I consulted the Powerstroke Forum and it seemed to indicate the truck had a failed CPS.
Priced one from the local Ford Dealer, in excess of $500. Checked www.powerstrokeshop.com on special there for $98US.
Ordered the CPS Tuesday morning at 7am from the Powerstroke shop along with several fuel filters @$16US (against $78 from local Ford Dealer.) The goods arrived on my doorstep in Port Macquarie (NSW) on Friday at 11am. Three days 4 hours after ordering! The replacement CPS is a genuine Ford part in Ford packaging.
Changing the CPS was straight forward, the bolt holding the unit in was very tight and we had very little room to work. We used a 6 point 10mm socket which did the job without slipping or damaging the bolt.
The truck now runs noticably smoother than it has for some time, perhaps the failing CPS was causing gremlins somehow.
I was lucky this malfunction happened near home rather than on our trips through the Kimberleys or other remote areas where it would has caused us a lot of grief.
I'll be ordering another CPS to keep as insurance just in case.
The whole procedure is explained thoroughly on
Site Link

Hope this might be of interest to other Ford owners.

Regards,
Nick

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Reply By: Bushtracker - Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 17:08

Monday, Jul 10, 2006 at 17:08

Thank you Nick,
Thank you for taking the time to do this per our telephone conversation... An actual Bogger experience... Fellow Ford running Boggers, the CPS failure rate according to my research on the Ford Forums, is quite common. I would estimate just under half maybe? Like 30- 40%, fail between 80,000 and 140,000 miles as reported by reliable Ford Techies. It should be viewed as a renewable part like a filter or fan belt or a radiator hose, and is very small and light; probably and addition to the RENEWABLE SPARES that SHOULD be carried by all 4x4 vehicles going way out Bush.

Spare Filter, spare radiator hoses, spare fan belts, and CPS. Also BTW this is the best source I have found as well, powerstrokeshop.com as the local Ford Dealership quoted $478 the CPS is still on sale for $98. Get the BLACK one, the Blue one available from various sources is an International Truck version, sometimes cheap, but does something to the engine like retard the timing or something strange... That blue one is use by some that are hot rodding the Ford for Tractor Pulls and such and they need that particular one when dumping in big fuel.... The one we need is the Black one, and the Powerstrokeshop.com is actually a buld fleet service at a discount, with genuine Ford parts... The summary of most Ford Techies, is in remote areas carry a CPS spare in "the glovebox".... View it as a renewable part, and I emailed the powerstrokeshop.com on Friday for mine.

Regards, Monday morning, Lone Ranger

AnswerID: 568825

Follow Up By: Black Cobra - Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 01:08

Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 01:08

Nick & LR

Sounds like a good idea to have a spare CPS on board. Nick I have a 2004 F250 with only 27,000 k's on the clock have not used it much as I work overseas but the last time I was home the vehicle died on me twice like you described, so guess what it will be going into Ford to have it checked out.

Can you both tell me the part number of the CPS that you ordered as I went into the site and can only see the blue one listed at $108.00.

By the sound of it there are two so I don't want get the wrong one.

Cheers

PS See you at the factory on the 24th

Stewart

FollowupID: 846036

Follow Up By: Bushtracker - Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 01:22

Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 01:22

Hello Stewart,
Go to the "Specials" section.... And you will find the Black one there on special for $98.
I sent Email on Friday to verify that it was the exact OEM original equipment... Yes, and these people are actually attached to Ford, as Fleet Service Discounters..

Vehicle stalling sounds like the CPS as the most likely culprit according to my studies. It should have thrown a Fault Code, that the Dealer can pull to verify it. I like to know everything practical about my horses, so hence the study of it all..

Cheers, Ranger

FollowupID: 846037

Follow Up By: Black Cobra - Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 01:36

Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 01:36

Thanks Ranger,

Located the part and will order also, just another question I noticed the AIS Severe Duty Filter on their site also at $198.19US. I was going to put a K&N filter in but after reading a few forum articles it appears that they might not be that good for various reasons over the original.

I have read about the AIS system and it appears to be pretty good so the question is are they good and has any bogger fitted one to the F250.

Also I have the factory fitted snorkle and I am presuming because you change the air box as well it will be compatible with the snorkle.

I know you have been twinkling with a modification to yours by past forums so advice would be appreciated. If the AIS system is worth it I will order the same time as the CPS.

Thanks once again

Stewart

FollowupID: 846038

Follow Up By: Bushtracker - Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 20:22

Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 at 20:22

Hello Stewart,
To date no one has gotten around to installing the AIS kit with the snorkel. I have not had the time, as the Nationals are coming up in two weeks. So you are pioneering on your own with R&D here.

As to your question on the validity of getting it.??? Look, the short of it is that it will help fuel economy without a doubt. It will carry maybe four times the bulldust before it start to "air starve" the engine. Oxygen starving the engine, decreases fuel economy, and every filter gets stages of dirtier from the time it is put in until it is changed out. This one will just go a lot longer before it starts the air starving of the engine. In my opinion there is no doubt that it would pay for itself in real dollars..

On the other hand, one could change out with the large Baldwin filter a lot more often, at what 1/3 the cost of Ford ones...(when the air restriction gauge started to show movement). With my not having done the installation or the problem solving of how to get more snorkel air into the AIS system, I cannot give you a scientific answer of which way to go. For now, I have several extra inexpensive Baldwin big filters to change out whenever they are dirty and restricting air flow... No air restriction means optimum fuel efficiency, and with the price of diesel either way you will end up saving money with filters and more air- being a lot cheaper than diesel per my Tip # 107 on the 19% improvement on Ford fuel mileage...

As to the K&N, no, in my opinion as I think I have stated it is not suitable for our super fine bulldust talc of the outback, it is a hot rodders low restriction filter. From all sources a No-no... This is potentially an 800,000 km engine from all reports, or more; as long as you feed it clean air and routinely change the oil...

Regards, Ranger, on the trail 24/7

FollowupID: 846039