Save $700 on Ford F150 Crankshaft Sensor Replacement 

Thanks brother. I always try to make videos that I wouldn't mind watching... Sometimes it works out and sometimes - well... You know!!!

Totally understandable there and a great way to think about full content. Great job!

Thanks Scott! There are two things that guide me... First, there are a glut of videos out there that only cover about 1/2 of a repair. I know how frustrating that can be... Second, I can't believe what dealers and other shops charge for simple parts replacement these days... Yes, there are difficult jobs (ie. pulling a trans) but these little sensors are not in that category. However, the manufacturers hide parts and make things intentionally difficult because they do not refine their designs. All that said, with a little patience and a few tools, you can save yourself thousands of dollars over the course of your car/truck ownership.

You got a little something on your nose there buddy

There's nothing worse than a repair video that skips a set or leaves you hanging with a question. Thanks for the kind words! 👊

So often I can't film because I have to get through the repair as quickly as possible... It's always fun to get the camera out for one where I can take my time and explain it to someone who may need the info to keep their driver going.

Good luck... The re-install is 10x harder than the removal. The cold will make it a challenge for sure. I've done my fair share of work on my back in the frozen shit, so I feel your pain brother.

Doing great Rich! I hope all is well in your world too!!!

Oh yeah!

Thanks Ziggy! I definitely feel your pain... I've opened up enough well designed computers and other do-dads to know that if the designer has serviceability in mind, they can make everything EASY to service... If they're lazy, they can make it all but impossible to work through the puzzle... Tell me I'm wrong here, but they could put this sensor on the BOTTOM side of the flywheel and it would take all of 30 seconds to change... They're just LAZY.

@@GregsGarage Absolutely.

The sensors in modern engines are good for 50-60k and then they start to poop out. They used to be on the front of the crank... Now they moved them to the back hidden under a set of turbos. It went from a 5 minute repair to about 6 hours in "the book."

Good to see you too! Hope all is well brother.

Agreed!

Thanks Randy! If I just had tiny little hands it would all be easier! :D

It is difficult. I believe I talked about how I slid the down the face and into the hole. That was paramount to getting it back together.

No doubt. They design modern motors so they can pack more external junk onto them, not for serviceability. With most folks relying on the dealership for everything, the service techs can only get through a few repairs a day... It's amazing they can keep up with demand.

That's what the book tells you that you have to do.

True dat!

Yes

With my hand... It was TIGHT. Hindsight, I probably could have used a magnet.

@GregsGarage oh OK, I didn't know it was that shallow in there. I thought it went all the way to the bottom of the bellhousing. Thank you for your reply. I'm gonna tackle tomorrow. Dropped socket :( Fun..fun..

@@shanerich9233 It got caught in between the flywheel and the housing... It was VERY touchy.

@GregsGarage OMG 😲 I get it now ..dam dude..my luck my socket is all the way at the bottom lol

Same. Did you figure out what it was?

Stretched timing chain

Neither. It's the crank sensor

I don't know the transit. I suspect it's very similar to the F-150 since they are essentially the same components. You'll just have to see if you can get past all the turbo and exhaust without having to remove them.

I believe this one took an hour (maybe just over). I was shooting video, which always takes a bit longer... However, I did NOT follow the shop guide. Most manuals tell you to remove the turbo section of the exhaust along with some of the suspension. Had I done that it would have been 5 hours, no question... The reason I made the video was to show that you could do the repair without removing major sections of the exhaust and suspension... The truly aggrevating piece is that Ford could have clocked this sensor 10 degrees lower on the bell housing and a repair tech could access it from under the car. The repair would likely take about 15 minutes if that were the case... Side note... Dealers make 75% of their revenue from repairs. Do you think Ford has any reason to make the repair more accessible?

Thanks Tom! There's no doubt - skilled mechanics earn their money EVERY DAY. This work isn't hard, but it is challenging and if it doesn't go as planned, you could be without a driver.

Did you have to relearn 5he sensor

I agree... Budget is usually the judge, jury and executioner. I would argue that locating a part like this where it is accessible is a cost-free decision. Good or bad, I decided to buy the 100k extended warranty from Ford and guess what..? It doesn't cover these sensors!!! Oh well... I guess that's why I keep sharp on modern motor repairs. Thanks for checking out the video!!!

Tom is working full time machining guitar tools for my company SkyScraper Guitars. He's told me several times he doesn't have time to make videos... I always enjoyed the videos he made.