Falcon inlet VANOS issue

Hello! I also happen to own a Falcon and your description reminded me of an issue I tackled some time ago. In my case, the symptoms manifested similarly – illuminated check engine light coupled with a noticeable increase in fuel consumption. Have you by any chance checked for oil sludge? Sometimes, especially in systems resembling the BMW VANOS (though I understand Ford's implementation will differ), oil starvation can wreak havoc. This might be a long shot, but have you also experienced anything resembling low power or even slight engine misfires during acceleration?

Cheers for the reply! I haven't noticed any low power or misfires, but I haven't checked for oil sludge yet. Where would I typically look for that?

You're most welcome! Given the absence of low power or misfires, the sludge issue might be less probable, albeit still possible. Concerning the location of potential sludge accumulation: it tends to gather around the camshafts and within the VANOS unit itself. However, considering your expertise level, it would perhaps be prudent to consult a trusted workshop to examine the inlet camshaft and perform diagnostic tests. Without specialized tools, you may be unable to resolve the issue on your own.

Appreciate the advice. Dropped it into the workshop. Turns out it was indeed the inlet VANOS, faulty solenoid valve. 250€ later and it's all sorted. Thanks again!