My 2019 F150 XLT 5.0 has been idling roughly for a while. The check engine light came on, and I got a P0012 error code, which is related to the bank 1 intake camshaft timing. The dealership can’t look at it until Wednesday. A local parts store said the part costs $25.99 and is easy to replace.
Should I wait for the dealer to fix it, or should I try to change the part myself? Is it really that simple?
Thanks in advance!
If it were me, I’d take it to the dealer since it’s under warranty and let them handle it.
That’s what I was thinking.
I’m curious about how many miles are on it, what kind of oil you’re using, and how often you change it.
Thanks.
Let the dealer take care of the issue. And do NOT, clear that engine code. To many dealership service depts will not attempt to fix a customer stated issue without a engine code to back up the customers story.
If you were to replace it with a non OEM part and the issue reappears the dealership could refuse to cover the repair due to it being not OEM.
I have 23,000 miles on it. I have the dealer change the oil every 5,000 miles. I think they use 5W-20 or 5W-30 oil.
I didn’t clear the codes. I had the auto parts store print out the error codes, and the app also notified me of the engine issue. I printed that out too. On my way to drop off my truck at the dealership this evening, the check engine light turned off. Since the dealership knows the codes, I printed out the errors—should they still fix the issue even if the light is off?
I was told that the computer remembers the codes, so even if the check engine light doesn’t show up when I drop off my truck, the dealer can still access the codes. Is that true?
Thanks for sharing your maintenance time procedure. I noticed some posts about Cam Phaser failures on the forum and was curious if they were related to maintenance issues. Your information helps clarify things. My truck is a 2018 with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine and over 28,000 miles, so it might be at risk, but so far it seems fine. The 5.0 engine might also be at risk. I’ve seen more posts about problems with the 3.5L EcoBoost.
I checked your P0012 code and it seems like it might be a Cam Sensor issue rather than the feared Cam Phaser problem. The Cam Phaser adjusts the cam position by changing the oil flow, while the Cam Sensor tells the computer the cam’s position. The computer then decides how to adjust the Cam Phaser.
Regarding your question in post 7: When the engine warning light (DTC) comes on, it’s time to check things, just as you did. Some codes, if ignored, can damage parts like the catalytic converter. For instance, if a code indicates too much fuel is being sent to the converter, it could wear out prematurely. Sometimes, the computer clears the warning light after a few successful runs, but it can also store past codes, which eventually get cleared. Many dealers only read and clear codes, which may not always pinpoint the exact problem and can make troubleshooting difficult.
Since your truck is still under warranty, taking it to the dealer for repairs is a good idea. This avoids any issues with the warranty and ensures proper handling.
Please keep us updated!
The P0012 code is a good example of why just reading the code isn’t enough to diagnose the problem. While a code can point to possible issues, diagnosing based on common patterns can lead to unnecessary costs. A P0012 could be caused by a faulty cam phaser, timing chain tensioner, stretched timing chain, poor oil quality, or even the sensor itself, among other things.
You should not clear a trouble code before properly diagnosing the issue because you would also erase valuable freeze frame data. This data includes important information about the conditions and sensor readings when the problem occurred, which is crucial for an accurate diagnosis.
I’m sorry you’re dealing with this and hope your truck gets fixed quickly. I hope this helps or at least provides some clarity.
Do you remember what the part was by chance?
Part number should be on the repair order that you get when the vehicle is picked up.