00 Taurus engine squeak

"WG" <wgilmour RemoveThis @I-zoom.net> wrote in message
news:fm8o45$gap$1@registered.motzarella.org...
Hi;
I have an internal engine squeak [not the usual pulley bushing]. I have
traced it down to the distributor.
This is electronic ignition which I am unfamiliar with. I remember the old
distributors with the cam and cog on the end of the shaft,,, they were easy
to pull out. I am told this is a common problem with the Taurus. Anyone know
whets involved? Is there a shaft below this distributor? Can they be removed
and greased? Any help appreciated. They Haynes manual says nothing on this.
Thanks Bill


I think you are talking about the "cam position sensor" it looks like a tiny
distributor. It is a common problem (at least on the older 3.0s)

it is pretty easy to pull out (at least on a 96 or 7 Taurus) Im not familiar
with the newer ones. There is a special tool to re-align the new one when
going back with it. I have had luck carefully marking the old one then
matching the new one when going back in. The problem I have seen is actually
not the sensor but the "driver/housing" below it. The driver shaft wears out
then it hits the sensor and breaks it too. If the sensor is broken the check
engine light will come on. I fyou pull it out make sure to mark exactly the
positon of the housing to the intake and the shaft to the housing before you
pull it. On the 97 Taurus you have to move a large plastic wire lume out of
the way to get it out. I've never heard them make noise but I would emagine
it would in the coarse of wearing out. I always saw them after the sensor
was broken because the CEL was on.