Questions and Answers
Contour VCT
Q. Hi, I have a couple of quick questions. I drive a 1998 Ford Contour, 4 cylinder automatic with approximately 70,000 on the clock. My check engine light came on a few weeks back and I've had Ford take a look at the car.
They tell me the VCT valve needs to be replaced and I'm looking at around $943 for parts and labor, this seems a lot.
Is the pricing reasonable and could other garages do the work? If I decide not to change the valve for some time will this damage the car in any way? Looking forward to you're response.
Regards,
PatrickA. There was a TSB issued on 2/7/2000 about the VCT's on 1998-2000 Ford Contour and Escort ZX-2, and 1998-2000 Mercury Mystique and 1999-2000 Cougars.
From the bulletin:
ISSUE:
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate with Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P1380,.P1381 or P1383 stored in continuous memory on some vehicles. Driveability concerns may or may not be present. This may be caused by engine oil contamination.Hopefully they are not wanting to replace the VCT because you have dirty oil.
The Variable Cam Timing (VCT) sprocket retards the exhaust camshaft up to 30 degrees producing exhaust valve overlap. This controlled overlap allows exhaust gases to enter the combustion chamber, effectively providing Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) flow to the engine without the use of an EGR valve. The VCT holds the exhaust camshaft fully advanced by internal spring pressure in its normal, uncontrolled state. For example, if the VCT solenoid is unplugged. When retard is commanded by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), engine oil pressure is directed through the VCT solenoid to overcome internal return spring force in the VCT sprocket. So assuming the VCT is in default, there will be no engine damage. I suspect it is because if it wasn't you would have suffered engine damage when the pistons hit the valves.
It takes about two hours to replace the VCT and the cost of the parts is about $608.00. I don't see any major problems running it the way it is, but I don't think you'll pass an emission test the way it is
Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA
