Hi all, hope all is good with yous all,. I have a problem with the focus 2015 1.5 tdci 120hp It cut out on motorway yesterday SERVICE ENGINE NOW message and went into limp mode and cut out then wouldn't start. got it home and ran Forscan. codes as follows:-

P2279:00-e4    P0299:00-64    P0340:31-ec    P0340:01-ec   and P0299-p

I have ordered a new cam position sensor and see how we go but if anyone can throw suggestions I would appreciate them all.

Thanks Barrie

 

 

Faulty cam sensors don't usually prevent the engine starting.  I'd be concerned that the cambelt has snapped or lost some teeth.  Was it recovered home or did it start eventually to drive home?

Underboost is very common with quite a few potential causes.  But again I wouldn't expect that to prevent the engine starting.

😂Hi Tom, yes brought home on truck, just now took off timing belt top cover and marked belt but no rotation. looks like new belt!!!!!

Cheers Tom

15 minutes ago, nwsavvy said:

😂Hi Tom, yes brought home on truck, just now took off timing belt top cover and marked belt but no rotation. looks like new belt!!!!!

Cheers Tom

It'll need more than a new belt.  Pistons will have hit valves.  

you sure now how to cheer a man up😁

Hi Tom, Is that a given that valve/piston interface is definite or can I just change belt and go for it?

Sorry to bother Barrie

1 minute ago, nwsavvy said:

Hi Tom, Is that a given that valve/piston interface is definite or can I just change belt and go for it?

Sorry to bother Barrie

It is a given I'm afraid.

Best case scenario there'll only be a few snapped rocker arms under the rocker cover.

Worst case scenario there'll be bent valves and twisted cam lobes meaning full head rebuild needed.

(PS - If you quote my post, I'll get a notification when I open the forum next.  )

1 minute ago, TomsFocus said:

It is a given I'm afraid.

Best case scenario there'll only be a few snapped rocker arms under the rocker cover.

Worst case scenario there'll be bent valves and twisted cam lobes meaning full head rebuild needed.

(PS - If you quote my post, I'll get a notification when I open the forum next.  )

Hi thanks looks like covers off and look inside then. ps thanks for the tip. What about piston damage?

Barrie

7 minutes ago, nwsavvy said:

Hi thanks looks like covers off and look inside then. ps thanks for the tip. What about piston damage?

Barrie

Pistons should be fine.  The rocker arms and cam lobes fail first on this engine.

Ok thanks strip down on the go rear top cover bolt which also holds rocker cover down a bit of a **tch to get to. Barrie 

3 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Pistons should be fine.  The rocker arms and cam lobes fail first on this engine.

Hi Tom, Sorry to be a nuisance, but your advice is always good. I have got the cam cover off and can see no damage whatever! cams look good and followers also. Valves seem clean and magnet down everywhere and no swarf or bits? I can rotate cam pulley with a spanner to a degree without the crank moving. Am I ok to remove belt to fully rotate the cam being care full to stop on any resistance? Again many thanks.  Barrie

 

7 minutes ago, nwsavvy said:

Hi Tom, Sorry to be a nuisance, but your advice is always good. I have got the cam cover off and can see no damage whatever! cams look good and followers also. Valves seem clean and magnet down everywhere and no swarf or bits? I can rotate cam pulley with a spanner to a degree without the crank moving. Am I ok to remove belt to fully rotate the cam being care full to stop on any resistance? Again many thanks.  Barrie

Hmm, that's interesting. 🤔

If none of the rockers are broken I strongly suspect one or more cam lobes have twisted on the cam.  It's not easy to tell while they're fitted.

To answer the question though, yes you're fine to remove the belt and turn the cam by hand, it can only be locked in the correct position - which it almost certainly isn't in right now anyway.

1 minute ago, TomsFocus said:

Hmm, that's interesting. 🤔

If none of the rockers are broken I strongly suspect one or more cam lobes has twisted in the cam.  It's not easy to tell while they're fitted.

To answer the question though, yes you're fine to remove the belt and turn the cam by hand, it can only be locked in the correct position - which it almost certainly isn't in right now anyway.

Hi many thanks. I will get on it tomorrow am cream crackered now, mid 70's back don't like bending 😬 maybe new camshaft and rebuild new belt etc and hope for the best. Again many thanks Barrie

Hi, a follow on, I have ordered a new cam along with lifters and followers, new idler and tensioner,water pump,aux belt along with its tensioner and gaskets etc all from Autodock I managed to remove the crank pulley with the assistance of paint stripper gun for 10 mins. Now awaiting arrival of parts to start rebuild but not sure on procedure of hydraulic lifters and prep before fitting? At the moment the old ones are still in to stop dirt etc even though the engine top is covered. Can anyone help in this query? 

Many thanks Barrie

The lifters just pull out, they aren't held in place by anything.

Generally it's not recommended to attempt pre-filling lifters with oil nowadays.  Although you should double check any paperwork that comes with them.   I would just use some assembly lube when rebuilding so that the new camshaft doesn't run dry on the first couple of engine cranks.

2 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

The lifters just pull out, they aren't held in place by anything.

Generally it's not recommended to attempt pre-filling lifters with oil nowadays.  Although you should double check any paperwork that comes with them.   I would just use some assembly lube when rebuilding so that the new camshaft doesn't run dry on the first couple of engine cranks.

Hi Tom, That is just what I wanted to hear ref lifters, didn't want to waste 4 hrs soaking them in oil! just a long wait now. Thanks for everything I will let you know how it goes. Barrie

On 6/12/2025 at 12:30 PM, TomsFocus said:

The lifters just pull out, they aren't held in place by anything.

Generally it's not recommended to attempt pre-filling lifters with oil nowadays.  Although you should double check any paperwork that comes with them.   I would just use some assembly lube when rebuilding so that the new camshaft doesn't run dry on the first couple of engine cranks.

Hi Tom and all. Well this ***** car! Got my parts from Online car parts this morning. Got it all put together just after tea as parts didn't arrive till 11 am. Omitted covers and undertray etc they can be done later. Well it started first crank no noises and as sweet as a bird just after mating!!! Quiet new belts and tensioners all round so hopefully good for another 140k miles.

Quite pleased getting it done on the drive

Thanks Tom and all

Barrie