Michael Michael

Bought a truck for my son seven months ago. 2004 F-150 4x4 triton 5.4 Had great service record and 135,000 miles. He noticed last month making a clicking sound and said every now and then would hear a rattle on the left side of the engine. Normally only drives it to school and back so when I would get in it couldn't hear the rattle but noticed it sounded similar to diesel enginee. Two weeks ago check engine light came on. Said it stalled out on him after coming to stop (twice)
Took to a local shop they got about 5 errors codes(tire shop mainly) doesn't do alot of engine work. Stopped by another shop they said they wouldn't touch it. Said It would never be right and the only best bet would be to put a new engine in it. Said that would be $7,000. From what I read here it seems like this is a normal problem with this truck. Cam Phase and chain tensioner. Should I take it to a dealer or was the other place correct.
either drive it the way it is or put a new engine in it. Don't want to throw away money. (especially if I already did)

NGM

Probably a cam phaser. The noise is "normal" I have read about people locking out the cam phasers and putting a tuner on the truck to take care of the CEL. Maybe someone on here can chime in on that.

Frank

Michael Michael

Thanks for the reply. So, in your opinion replacing the cam phasers would be a wasted repair.

yokev

Well, if it's the other alternative(spun bearing=rod knock), you'll know MUCH sooner rather than later.

torx

I have the same truck and when I bought mine it had 360 000kms on it and it had a problem, it ran OK at idle but when driving it ran terrible and had no power, it had been at a couple of shops replaced numerous parts with no improvement. Finally the guy that owned it gave up and decided to sell it, that's when I found it. I bought it and after I checked it out it turned out to be a broken timing chain guide, bought all new chain's, guides and tensioners and the problem was fixed. Now 30 000kms later it is stalling sometimes at idle and sudden misfire so I am currently in the process of a tune up, spark plugs, air filter and fuel filter. In my opinion replacing the can phasers would still be worth it but first make sure that is the problem, I don't think it'll fix the miss fire though.