2018 Mustang GT PP Camshaft Sensor + Blinking CEL

[Eric Benson]

Hi, this is my first post to this forum so quick intro and then to my issue.

I purchased a 2018 Mustang GT Premium A10 w/ PP. Fantastic car and first Mustang our family has owned (it is the wife's car and she sometimes lets me drive it). Great handling, and I was very surprised how much I like the A10 transmission as all my previous cars have been manual. We live in the Bay Area, Ca so traffic is horrible 99.9999% of the time, so I really don't miss using the clutch.


Anyway. Few weeks ago the car threw a CEL for a Camshaft Sensor (Right Bank i think). Solid CEL and the car was running fine. Read code and cleared to see if it was a 1 off issue. Same code came back a few days later so scheduled appt. with Ford Dealer.

On the way to the dealer stuck run traffic going <30mph the CEL started to flash and the car started to stumble (misfire, fuel, transmission, etc). Started to get off highway to see what was wrong. After about 30 seconds the flashing stopped and engine seemed fine.

Dropped off at dealer and they replaced camshaft sensor and all seemed fine on the 30 mile drive home. Driving yesterday on city streets <30 mph with several stop signs. CEL started flashing, car started to stumble. I was only 2 blocks from home, but it cleared within 30 seconds and did not throw any CEL.

I am dropping it off at dealer tomorrow, but wanted to see if anyone had similar symptoms that may help understand the issue. My initial guess is a loose connection somewhere that is dropping a cam/crank sensor count causing the engine to misfire.

Sorry for the long post, as this seems to be an interesting problem that hopefully can be resolved quickly.

Eric

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[Eric Benson]

Well, this story is getting a bit more interesting. So the service adviser (whom I really can't stand due to his arrogance and approach to problems) calls and lets me know the car is 2 quarts down on oil and this could be the problem for the car pulling power/timing.

2 serious problems with this comment:

1) I checked the oil around 1k miles and it was fine, maybe below the center range on the dipstick but nothing that would indicate a low condition. Car has 2200 miles on it now.

2) The dealer just had the car in not less than 2 weeks ago for engine issue and camshaft sensor replacement. So either they did not check the engine oil when it was in their shop for an engine issue, or it consumed 1+ quarts in 2 weeks (only about 90 miles driven since then). No indication of leaks or smoke from the car.


I will be sitting down with this adviser and his manager on Monday to walk through all the diagnostics notes and technician notes from this appointment and the last repair to make sure all is documented. I typically check oil after I get an oil change from my other cars, but never thought to check after coming out of a dealer with only 2,200 miles.

They will do the road test on Monday to see if they can recreate the engine pulling power issue, but has anyone else seen this type of oil consumption on their 2018?

Any advise on how to work with the dealer to make sure this issue is fully documented and what to do if the issue comes back since it is intermittent and does not throw a code.

Thanks in advance,

Eric

 

[GritzNGravy]

Usually just from my experience working on cars, if the cel is on for a cam sensor code and new sensor didn't fix it the timing is off. Either from chain jumpng or bad phasers for the VCT. I'm leaning to something with the VCT Could be a programing issue also but I doubt it. Also Blinking CEL means misfire in at least one cylinder. Should be codes for misfires in their also. Doesn't sound good to me...

 

[Eric Benson]

Finally got the car back after ~2 weeks in the shop. They had to work with the Ford hot line and diagnosed a camshaft solenoid that was not meeting the pressure specs. They did drive the car on multiple test runs and it seems all is well.

I spoke with the service manager about the 2 quarts low oil discovered on the second visit (no mention of oil issue when it was in first time). We set up appoint to run oil consumption analysis so in 1000 miles I will see if there is a problem.


Unrelated question, when you get your car back after dealers having for extended time, do they typically wash the car for you, as they returned min and the exterior is really dirty.

 

[usgiorgi]

Finally got the car back after ~2 weeks in the shop. They had to work with the Ford hot line and diagnosed a camshaft solenoid that was not meeting the pressure specs. They did drive the car on multiple test runs and it seems all is well.

I spoke with the service manager about the 2 quarts low oil discovered on the second visit (no mention of oil issue when it was in first time). We set up appoint to run oil consumption analysis so in 1000 miles I will see if there is a problem.


Unrelated question, when you get your car back after dealers having for extended time, do they typically wash the car for you, as they returned min and the exterior is really dirty.

Be happy that they didn't wash it. They usually take the car through a touch wash and add tons of swirlmarks.

 

[Eric Benson]

Ha. Yes that is probably true. My 6 year old enjoys washing the car correctly and watches the detailing videos online. He does a great job and provides a great activity for father son time.

 

[tedj101]

Be happy that they didn't wash it. They usually take the car through a touch wash and add tons of swirlmarks.

Yeah, the DISO - dealer installed swirl option!

<TED>

 

[CEHollier]

Be happy that they didn't wash it. They usually take the car through a touch wash and add tons of swirlmarks.

^^^^^^ Agree I wound't want those maroons touching my car. ^^^^^^

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