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

[alpha_omega]

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.

You have all of the correct (working) part numbers in your build thread correct? Or at least your cam upgrade thread anyways.

 

[Geotrash]

You have all of the correct (working) part numbers in your build thread correct? Or at least your cam upgrade thread anyways.

Yes, as of that point in time

 

[alpha_omega]

Not trying to steal from the OP, but rather let you know your pain is felt. This MFer has been kicking my @$$! I didn’t have a new timing cover or oil pan gasket on hand, so I’ve tried every trick and extractor tool I own. And I own a LOT of them. Nodda!

 

[Geotrash]

Not trying to steal from the OP, but rather let you know your pain is felt. This MFer has been kicking my @$$! I didn’t have a new timing cover or oil pan gasket on hand, so I’ve tried every trick and extractor tool I own. And I own a LOT of them. Nodda! View attachment 461819View attachment 461820View attachment 461821

Yikes! I'd be ready to melt that thing outta there!

Then again, I've had a few whisky bottles look like that when the cork splits in half while I'm trying to sneak a belt...

 

[dkad260]

Wow, so moving forward on this, anyone who needs to replace one, should we heat the housing a little with propane to break the grip on the sensor?

 

[Geotrash]

Wow, so moving forward on this, anyone who needs to replace one, should we heat the housing a little with propane to break the grip on the sensor?

I’m not sure that would help because you also have a camshaft VVT seal right there that you could damage. Probably the best solution is to be prepared to remove the timing cover and replace it if needed.

 

[Charlie207]

Not trying to steal from the OP, but rather let you know your pain is felt. This MFer has been kicking my @$$! I didn’t have a new timing cover or oil pan gasket on hand, so I’ve tried every trick and extractor tool I own. And I own a LOT of them. Nodda! View attachment 461819View attachment 461820View attachment 461821

Are you able to stick your finger in there and press on the end of the sensor? If yes, I'd refrain from trying to drill all the way through the sensor (to prevent crud from falling into the oil pan), and slowly work up in drill bit size, so that you remove material as close the aluminum surrounding the sensor, until you can press it out the front.

If you haven't been able to pull the entire piece out, you 100% can't. It's swollen, and wedged in there.

 

[Charlie207]

whoops... wrong thread

 

[alpha_omega]

Yikes! I'd be ready to melt that thing outta there!

Then again, I've had a few whisky bottles look like that when the cork splits in half while I'm trying to sneak a belt...

I totally agree with you. And believe me, I was ready to set the engine on fire after the amount of sweat I lost working on this damn thing.

Are you able to stick your finger in there and press on the end of the sensor? If yes, I'd refrain from trying to drill all the way through the sensor (to prevent crud from falling into the oil pan), and slowly work up in drill bit size, so that you remove material as close the aluminum surrounding the sensor, until you can press it out the front.

If you haven't been able to pull the entire piece out, you 100% can't. It's swollen, and wedged in there.

I was only able to get it out so far. I tried every damn extractor I owned. I tried pushing from the back side, drilled and JB welded a lag bolt inside, heated, iced it, nodda! It came out to where the sensor was flush with the inner lip of the timing cover.
Even after taking the cover off, I still had to heat it up, drilled through it completely in the center and once near the outside edge to weaken it a little bit. Then took a brass punch close to the size of the sensor and knock it from the back side. I was tired of messing with it by then and ordered a new cover.
Hopefully I can get it centered on there enough with the balancer without having to order a tool that I will only use once. I’m not sure if the auto parts store would have a loaner tool specific to the Gen IV.

When the time comes for a mechanical AFM/DoD delete, I will probably go ahead with a new timing chain/pump kit as well, so I guess the question is, should I replace the VVT solenoid/actuator bolt while I have the cover removed, or wait until I need to do the timing chain?

Anyone have any thoughts on this topic?