Decided to read my codes yesterday and was surprised to see the return of my old friend: P0340 (Camshaft Position Sensor). The last time this happened ('02), I pulled off the sensor to find the synchro destroyed underneath because the magnet had fallen into the rotating vane. The new sensor cost me $35 and the new synchro was $160. I'm guessing it'll be the same thing again this time.

Is there any way to prevent the magnet from falling out of the housing? I remember thinking the last time that I would SuperGlue it (or add SOME KIND of adhesive), but I didn't do it for fear of compromising the magnet in some way. Has anybody come up with any latter-day solutions to this stupid problem?

Also, back in '02, although I could get the sensor off by sticking a VERY SLIM 5.5mm (I think it was) ignition wrench between that plastic cable tray and the top of the sensor to remove its two tiny securing bolts, I wasn't able to figure out how to get the synchro out because the plastic tray (with a million wires in it) was sitting directly atop and you could only move it about 1/4" vertically because it snaked under (and was locked down by) the upper intake manifold. Some people had said to just 'break the tray' to get enough wiggle room to remove the synchro, but now (since replacing the intake gaskets on my Impala a year ago) I think the correct procedure is to remove the upper intake manifold. Is this true? I'm pretty sure neither the Haynes or Ford manuals mentioned needing to do this, and neither did anybody else I asked. I ended up having a mechanic do it for $60 and he wouldn't tell me how he did it either (it looked like he didn't do anything - although he gave me the old synchro ... which is sitting about 3' from me right now).