Question on "Code 41" repair

[ajla]

Hi everyone.

I have a '89 Bonneville SE with an illuminated SES. I ran the codes and it is giving me a "Code 41". So something is up with the cam position sensor.

Searching through the forums, I read that I should check out the condition of the cam sensor interrupter magnet because that is usually the cause of a "Code 41". Sure enough the magnet looks to be damaged. Hopefully fixing it will remove the SES.

I'm planning to use the "Padgett method" sometime this weekend to fix the magnet.

The process looks fairly straightforward, but I do have a concern:

Because I don't have a soldering iron, it seems like the best approach is to just jab an awl into the magnet sprocket hole to break up and clear out the remaining pieces of the old/broken/missing cam magnet. However, it seems like doing this is doubtlessly going to cause most of the pieces to fall backwards into the engine's "timing" area. If this happens, is it safe for the engine? If not, what is the best method to remove the old pieces of the cam magnet using an awl?

Also, from what I understand the the magnet's sprocket hole should be completely cleared before the new brimless magnet is inserted, correct?

Thank You.

[J Wikoff]

I cannot offer advice on the best way to keep pieces from falling down in the front cover, except for to drop the oil pan and clean out debris. Maybe squirt some oil at it to wash pieces down. I do know, that after my cam magnet broke up, it and all its pieces went elsewhere from the cam gear. It was a couple years after it happened that I did an engine swap for slowly developing low oil pressure. I found chunks of magnet attached to the oil pickup screen. I also found a chewed up lifter roller. I don't know what caused the chewing, and I believe it to be the main source of some decent lifter noise that had been present/developing for quite some time. Several other lifters had stuck/collapsed pushrod seats. Was it magnet and carrier debris that caused it, I don't know, but the chewed up lifter roller was not a typical failure as far as I know.

You'll want all the pieces out of the cam gear hole, and cleaned as best you can for a good bonding surface.

[dirtracr95]

how many miles do you have? If you got over 130k you are going to want to looking into replacing the timing chain or atleast the chain tensioner. If the tensioner and chain is really worn out or worn all the way through you notice the difference in powerband and exhaust tone.