Any theories/reasons why the cam phasers go bad?
12-03-2009, 11:03 PM
#11
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Just bought a 2004 Screw FX4 5.4L Triton about 4 weeks ago. Didn't notice cam phaser knocking until next day. Been fighting with dealership for repair - they're stonewalling me, waiting for 60 day warranty to be up. Said they fixed phasers after keeping truck for 7 days- only to find out they replaced cam sensor and knock is still there. Will fight under NYS lemon law. Sucks. The truck is awesome otherwise - hate to have to give it back to get my $$ back. That's what I get for having faith in FORD. As an engineer, I can't believe they'd design these phaser things and think it'd work. If I lose the truck, I'll continue to look for other F-150, but with different motor.
01-28-2010, 08:02 AM
#12
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Their is several deferent dizziness of Variable Cam Timing from other companies, But the FORD unit is the worse.
The Japanese (Honda Toyota Nissan...) and the Germans (BMW, Mercedes, Audi...) have there system's that last for ever. Why not learn from them.
I like Fords specially when thy took the initiative and started the SOHC and DOHC in the V8 and the IRS in the Mustang Cobra. But it locks like they are rushing things.
And why did they made the new ford with solid Axel. that is a step back. lets face it for the majority of people IRS is much beater than Solid axel....
I now a lot will replay withe wise *** replies on my post. But I think the American car companies are relying on people not considering to by another brand than what thy are loyal too, because thy believe it is the best. So For example ford belt the VCT and thy now it is crap, and tooled people it is the best system ever. When in fact it is inferior to all other daisies of the system. You will not now if it is the bet unless you try it.
The Japanese (Honda Toyota Nissan...) and the Germans (BMW, Mercedes, Audi...) have there system's that last for ever. Why not learn from them.
I like Fords specially when thy took the initiative and started the SOHC and DOHC in the V8 and the IRS in the Mustang Cobra. But it locks like they are rushing things.
And why did they made the new ford with solid Axel. that is a step back. lets face it for the majority of people IRS is much beater than Solid axel....
I now a lot will replay withe wise *** replies on my post. But I think the American car companies are relying on people not considering to by another brand than what thy are loyal too, because thy believe it is the best. So For example ford belt the VCT and thy now it is crap, and tooled people it is the best system ever. When in fact it is inferior to all other daisies of the system. You will not now if it is the bet unless you try it.
03-03-2010, 10:10 PM
#13
VCT via cam phasers are a bad design. That's why Ford is moving away from it and back to pushrod engines and variable displacement engines. The loading on the locks in the phasers are subject to tremendous forces and the oil film is relied upon to release the phaser. That's asking a lot of an oil....any oil. The condition worsens with parts that are subject to tolerances that fit tighter than others. Once the phaser is in the lock position and run for any length of time in the forward/advanced position- it won't unlock/unload. I've seen test data that is showing that there maybe some help by using an oil that is ester based or ester fortified. I've even heard of some of the phasers unlocking by using a lanolin based ester after just a few heat cycles. But I wouldn't run to the bank that it will work every time. Cam phasers are a bad design and the 5.4 has never been a good engine. It's also at the bottom of its class for reliability and power produced per gallon of fuel. Top of the class is GMs 5.3 flex fuel.....unfortunately you have to buy the rest of the GM truck to get it.
03-03-2010, 10:14 PM
#14
The other day I took in a trade. Its an 04 FX4 with 77k on it. And the cam phasers are knocking to beat hell. I didnt believe it, because I didnt have it running long enough to notice. SO i went back to service because they had said they were going to change them out. And sure enough they were pretty bad(way worse than mine). So the service advisor, and a tech and I got to talking about reasonings why they go bad. And nothing ever came up about Fords mistakes. They both said its lack of proper maintenence. They know the springs go bad, but they say its lack of good oil getting there. Any one else heard of this?
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Arizona Tumbleweed (12-18-2017)
06-16-2010, 06:48 PM
#15
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Couldn't agree more. The 5.4 is a crappy motor and delivers crappy power for such a heavy truck (300hp/365tq at 7,200lbs) and with the cam phaser problems and spark plug problems, reliability is questionable. The 5.3 flex fuel LS based engine is definitely a superior engine.
06-17-2010, 07:07 PM
#16
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i don't think the gm motor is that good... i was talking to a guy the other day who has a 2009 silverado 1500 and he has 30xxx kms not miles on it and he's on his 4th oil pump... it keeps going for some reason and gm can't explain why
06-17-2010, 08:00 PM
#17
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I have 3 F150's with the 5.4. 98 ,02 and a 04. The older ones still run strong with no problems.
The 04 has been a headache from day one. Not all 5.4 motors are bad.
I just think they tried to push the new 5.4 out into production too fast without enough testing.
I've been driving F150's for a long time and one bad one isn't gonna change that.
My 04 will be sold shortly and I plan on buying another 00-03.
The 04 has been a headache from day one. Not all 5.4 motors are bad.
I just think they tried to push the new 5.4 out into production too fast without enough testing.
I've been driving F150's for a long time and one bad one isn't gonna change that.
My 04 will be sold shortly and I plan on buying another 00-03.
06-17-2010, 08:09 PM
#18
Senior Member
Couldn't agree more. The 5.4 is a crappy motor and delivers crappy power for such a heavy truck (300hp/365tq at 7,200lbs) and with the cam phaser problems and spark plug problems, reliability is questionable. The 5.3 flex fuel LS based engine is definitely a superior engine.
07-01-2010, 05:54 PM
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I still stand by my thoughts. GM trucks are garbage in my opinion but the LS motors are better than the modular 5.4 fords. I wish it came with more power for towing.
07-02-2010, 02:19 PM
#20
Living here in CO with the altitude, I've never had problems with the 5.4L being under powered, even when towing up some of our worst grades. Sure it ain't no Turbo diesel, but it holds its own in the 1/2 tons class against like years and similar size displacements. Have you ever seen a 5.3L Silvy/Sierra trying to attack some of the CO mtn passes with a load behind them? If you truly think the 5.4L is a dog, you'd really be underwhelmed with the 5.3L.
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GoneBallistic (07-30-2023)