Broken Camshaft Position Sensor fallen into Timing Chain Cover. What are my Options?

[dkad260]

I use the ARP bolt. It only requires a single torque value... No TTY angles.

Ok. What I was getting at was the 4LO, Rev, parking brake won't hold the crankshaft....it's still free to turn.

 

[Charlie207]

Ok. What I was getting at was the 4LO, Rev, parking brake won't hold the crankshaft....it's still free to turn.

Leave it in gear, and turn off the engine.

 

[dkad260]

Leave it in gear, and turn off the engine.

It's an automatic correct? If so, placing it in gear won't make any difference. Park, in gear, the engine is decoupled from the wheels.

 

[Charlie207]

It's an automatic correct? If so, placing it in gear won't make any difference. Park, in gear, the engine is decoupled from the wheels.

Great to know. I don't know what to tell you.

Did you have a specific question?

 

[dkad260]

No worries.

Did you have a specific question?

Yes.....I asked how the piece ended up inside the cover. Did it break or can the whole sensor just fall inside based on design? Good info for anyone replacing these.

I was also curious how you were able to get sufficient torque on the crank bolt without securing the crankshaft...not doubting you it's tight, I just never heard of it not turning with that much torque on the bolt.

 

[jeff2007 Yukon]

Success!!! With diligence, persistence, pliers and a Spring Hook I was able to extract the sensor today. I drilled a small hole into the side of the sensor before it fell into the timing case and this gave me just enough purchase to grab it with the needle nose pliers and coax it back into the exixt hole. I then was able to get the spring hook behind it and with a little leverage pop the SOB out. New one in is and relearned, hope this solves my camshaft timing problem.

 

[Geotrash]

Success!!! With diligence, persistence, pliers and a Spring Hook I was able to extract the sensor today. I drilled a small hole into the side of the sensor before it fell into the timing case and this gave me just enough purchase to grab it with the needle nose pliers and coax it back into the exixt hole. I then was able to get the spring hook behind it and with a little leverage pop the SOB out. New one in is and relearned, hope this solves my camshaft timing problem.

Woohoo!!! Well done!!

 

[OBSandaNNBS]

Success!!! With diligence, persistence, pliers and a Spring Hook I was able to extract the sensor today. I drilled a small hole into the side of the sensor before it fell into the timing case and this gave me just enough purchase to grab it with the needle nose pliers and coax it back into the exixt hole. I then was able to get the spring hook behind it and with a little leverage pop the SOB out. New one in is and relearned, hope this solves my camshaft timing problem.

What an ugly, troublesome little bugger.
Luckily you drilled that hole!

 

[alpha_omega]

This makes me nervous about doing that job. A few of us were just talking about this a week or two ago. Mine is wedged tight, and I was worried about something like this happening. That would be my luck.

 

[Geotrash]

This makes me nervous about doing that job. A few of us were just talking about this a week or two ago. Mine is wedged tight, and I was worried about something like this happening. That would be my luck.

It just turns the job from an hour into a full day

I've had the timing cover off my 2012 three times now and I could do the whole job in less than a 6-pack (3 hours). The first time it was more like a case (full day). lol. It kept eating cams because of cheap aftermarket lifter trays.