Dukeabtu

Hi everybody,

I just want to apologize in advance if this is posted in the wrong place.. I'm new to this forum and am really just looking for help in deciding what I should do with my 2004 FX4 5.4 Triton..I'll try and make this short.

Bought my truck new in 2004 and the cam phaser has been loud since day one.. Asked about it the first maintenance(6mos.) and was told this was normal.A year ago engine light came on and dealership told me I needed cam phasers done and it would cost 4700$.Told them no thx as it had been doing this since day one..this past Friday (-39 Celsius) when I went to leave work I heard the motor idling very loud and making a rattling sound. Shut it off and got it towed to ford. I'm waiting to hear what's wrong and also asked for trade in value. Vehicle has been gently driven with fords maintenance done by dealer always on schedule.. Always used synthetic oil till last oil change I asked them to use 5-w30..I have 62,000 miles on motor... Also for the past two years it intermittently makes grinding noise down under by front wheel( I think) and has intermittently hesitated when giving it gas... Truck now idles high at startup before coming back down And doesn't seem to have even close to the power it used to..

First of all, does anyone know what may be wrong especially with what lead to me towing it to ford ? Are all these symptoms/ problems related?At 140$ an hour is it going to be expensive and, do you think it will be problem free going forward should it be a reasonably priced repair Also, based on what I described Do you think I should fix it or bite the bullet and buy a new 2013 5.0 litre??

It's a shame to have to let it go based on low miles and the fact that everything else is/ appears to be like new..

Any responses would be much appreciated.

ddc

Dukeabtu, my 2005 also ticked since day one, usually pretty quiet, once in a while its noticeable to everybody! I wish you luck. As far the oil, my buddy says stick with the 5w-20 semi synthetic as a minimum. Don't use 5w-30 or 40 unles you are driving in the more severe heat of the southern states. I know this will creat all klinds of responses. As far as the $4700 for phaser repairs, thats a lot, and it maybe warranted to charge that much. But this same buddy has his own independant shop, does a lot of warranty work from the Ford dealership he once worked for. Anyway, he showed me the cost sheet for Ford reman'd engines, you will have almost payed for the motor at $4700 for repairs. If it were mine I'd be screamin up and down, $4700 for repairs! AT 74k, thats bs, and ford should hear it! It may pay to find a trustworthy private shop. I have also been told to only use Motorcraft parts as they know there are issues with these motors and the engineers are making changes to these parts frequently! I know others will respond differently, this is what I learned last winter when my 2005 w/5.4 sounded like a freak'in diesel until it warmed a little at -25 one Minnesota morning. It was the VTC and cam phasers just full of basically gelled oil. Later I found my oil looked like chocolate sludge from only driving 4 miles a day and not getting the motor warmed up enough to burn off the condesation. Look for the stickys at the beginning of Forum, lots o info...

Dukeabtu

Hi ddc,

Thanks for the reply.. Sorry, I looked over my last paperwork and it was 5-20 that was used.

I read through all 102 pgs on the 5.4 repair and this gave me a good indication of what is wrong.. Ford called today to advise they were bringing in for a diagnostic test, so I suspect I'll find out tomorrow. Hourly rate is 145$ and hour and ya, $4700 was the quote that they provided this summer for changing the phasers.. I threw away the quote in disgust due to the fact that the diesel noise had been there since day one, but I assume it must have included the full replacement of all parts (chains phaser lift adjusters tensioners etc..) or at least I hope it did..one thing that wasn't discussed much was whether or not replacing all these parts would forever fix the problem or is this going to be something that reoccurs?

Dukeabtu

So I got my truck back and this was the work order- "confirm motor issue. had to boost vehicle to get it to start. found the oil pressure gauge, not reading anything then engine quit. checked oil level found it was fine but oil didn't look great; I suspect there is water in the oil and the oil pick up is frozen. at this point the motor will most likely need the front of the engine overhauled or a new motor.after talking with customer the truck was pulled into the shop overnight to thaw I fired it up again in the morning and the water in the oil had melted. the engine was making oil pressure not sure how much there is still. the cam phasers making heavy noise it sounds like there is a tensioner completely failed or one of the guides is broken. customer approved the valve cover inspection I found scoring on the cam and caps. at this point it's the customers call we could try the the phasers and pensioners ECT., Or a motor. the oil did get changed the valve cover is back on the truck is somewhat drivable"

They verbally told me that two heads needs to be replaced and the phasers etc.. Probably be $6k-7k to fix.. A new engine drop would be $8k...

Are there any experts out there that can advise if this all sounds legit.. I immediately thought the work order was vague;they were aware that I would probably buy a new vehicle if it's to expensive to fix.. Truck has 110,000 Km's, always taken in for regular maintenance and oil changed.. Spark Plugs changed at 100k.. They said they'd give me $2500 trade in value...any advice on what should I do?

ddc

Duke, I'm sorry to hear the worst. I can't understand 8k for motor! My buddy had a cost sheet from a local ford dealer. I thought it was 5200 for a fomoco 5.4 reman after core return. That would be my cost if I drove up too he said. I don't want to steer or suggest too much, but how about a salvage motor? I see them listed in the Minneapolis area for $800. It can get you by as a permanent fix, or to sell or trade at a better price return. I have '10 Altima that's on its 2nd factory motor @85k, and its rattling to, when this one fails, its a junkyard motor and its gone. Good luck!

Dukeabtu

ddc,

I ended up buying a new 2013 Lariat Screw 157" WB yesterday from a southern (Edmonton) dealership as ours did not have any left..I did ask about another vehicle (145" wheel base) on a trade in up here(one ford dealership)and it looks like they were willing to give me about $2000 for my old truck... So I brought my truck home ($530 later) and it sounded and ran just the same as it did prior to my most recent problems; I expected it to sound or run rough but it ran good..so now I'm wondering what to do with it? Considering getting a second opinion from another garage (Canadian tire), which we have very few of up here 1000miles due north of civilization(Edmonton), but this may just cost $$ for nothing..we have one salvage yard here and will see if they have any there... Thanks for your help!

ronmon

hey I went thru that 3 years ago with my '04. Two possible problems. The guide under the timing chains are bad to bread and then rattle really bad and sound like a powerstroke at times, and then it can be the camphasers. for me it was the guide, but while I had the front of the engine off, I put the lock outs in and took care of any jpossible camphaser problems.

ronmon

My nephew had a similar problem and it was his catalytic converter clogged up.

ddc

Duke, well you won't have to worry much now, just limp it along and sell it when it warms up maybe. After work it was -12 @5pm when I went out and started my truck, it ran fine! Only noise was the awful screaming power steering pump! Good luck with the new truck, they look nice. And, hopefully the coyote will serve you better!

TMT

I have an 05 F150 that I had my guys use as a work truck. It started doing the same thing. I replaced the cam phasers then i replaced the timing chain, then I went out and bought a chevy van for the guys to use (mistake). This small commercial dealer deals with 5.4s all the time and said to me "don't touch the engine with another tool, Replace or cut off the converters." The truck would bog down and nock when slowing down after going highway speeds. The cat is getting backed up and he said it is all due to the converters. Other things could be plugs, coil packs and injectors. These engines are so touchy it seams.