Tron Cat

Hey everyone, first post but long time lurker of the forums and I need some advice. I am far from a mechanic but do my best to keep my truck running at its best (as much a broke college student can).

Anyways, I have a 2005 F150 Lariat, 5.4L 3V, with just over 105k miles. About 500-1000 (~3 months ago) I replaced the cam phasers, timing chains, guides and tensioners due to the classic 5.4 diesel tick. Ran the best it ever has and had no problems afterwards.

Last weekend I dumped some Techron Concentrate Plus injector cleaner just as regular maintenance. I poured it in on a near empty tank and then drove it a few blocks to the gas station to top off my tank. Well almost immediately after (literally next time I started the truck) it began to run rough and misfire. I assumed the injector cleaner maybe just dislodged something and figured I should drive it on the highway to help push it through. Didn't help at all. I brought it into the dealer thinking I had a stuck injector and still qualified for the extended warranty from Ford for the injectors.

$100 after their diagnosis they said my injectors, plugs, coils and cats were fine but didn't know what the problem was and wanted to pull the valve covers for at least $400 to look deeper. I didn't have the money so I brought it home. Attached is a compression test they did without pulling the valve covers (so I don't know how accurate it is). Bank 2 is all low obviously.







Don't know if the injector cleaner was just coincidence? I'm thinking I just need to replace the VCT solenoid for bank 2?
I unplugged both VCT solenoids and I didn't really notice a difference. I ordered one solenoid from Amazon and will get it tomorrow.

Truck idles rough, but really rough when in gear (Drive, Reverse, etc.). Once it gets going it's fine. Just initial take off, it tries and is sluggish.


These are the CEL codes I have:
P0171 - System too lean (Bank 1)
P0175 - System too rich (Bank 2)
P0010 - Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit/Open (Bank 1)
P0020 - Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit/Open (Bank 2)
P0300 - Random misfire detected
P0301 - Cylinder 1 misfire detected
P0305 - Cylinder 5 misfire detected


Help! Any input is greatly appreciated!

techrep

iTrader: (1)

plugs and COP’s ??

Chris80648

Sorry, I don't think my thoughts at 3:00 am would be useful to this situation so I removed them.

Tron Cat

techrep
Dealer said they were fine, but they have been wrong before. I did have plugs and boots changed ~20k miles before. Could this cause the entire Bank 2 to have equal low compression?

Chris
Glad you were able to find your problem! I hate the plugs on these... Worst possible design.

Chris80648

Thank you. I haven't changed head gaskets in over thirty years, and I've never had the ceramic on a spark plug break ever.

Tron Cat

So I replaced all the plugs with Motorcraft SP-515's, thankfully none broke, replaced both VCT solenoids, cleaned the throttle body and MAF... runs better and no misfire but still a rough idle, lacking initial torque and a hard shudder at ~45mph. Any ideas?

Could the timing chain have jumped maybe? would I have CEL for that?

Edit: only codes I'm getting are p0171 and p0175.

Beeman1221

If you're having a rough idle, 5.4's do have oil pressure problems. Rotella 15W40 oil fixed my oil pressure problems. No problems since.