hacker

Hey Guys, I purchased a 04 screw fx4 with 166,000 miles on it, I have no idea what kind of maintenance the previous owners have done to it. My project is to have the cam phasers changed out along with the spark plugs and the solenoids. The truck runs great. My question is, is there a certain order in which to tackle this project. A friend of mine has a cousin that has a shop and he has the tool to remove the plugs, so no issues there. Any advice would be appreciated.

lewissa81

I would change out the fluids first, then the plugs. Put a few hundred miles on it, then tackle the phasers and timing system. That's just me. I guess it's really just what you feel like spending money on first.

dukedave5200

You know the saying, "if it aint broke, don't fix it." You say the truck runs great, if that is the case, then just change the fluids and other routine maintenance. I wouldn't even replace the spark plugs if you have no issues (misses). If you are going to replace the phasers then you should do everything up there (chains, etc) while it's all apart. But if you aren't having knocking or noise from the phasers then why change them? Again, if it aint broke don't fix it.

hacker

The reason for the work is because I can hear what appears to be a ticking sound when I drive it and come to a stop sign, it is not that loud. The best way to describe it is, somebody shaking coins in a soda can. A very low pitch tick, I thought it was the power steering pump but that checked out ok. I am thinking it may be the phasers or maybe a loose belt or timing chain.

MHOWELL34

lol if you hear a light tick dont even bother, mine sounds just as loud as a ol cummins when just sittin there. 205k and counting. As long as it isn't a constant slapping sound you should be good just the phaser springs are probably broke/breaking. If it sounds like your dragging sheet metal when you get into it, time for some chains and tensioners. Mine has a right side manifold leak on cold starts as well so contributes to my sound.

Rev it up to past 1200 rpm, thats when the phasers unlock. If it gets quiet its the phasers, if its still there well your guess is as good as mine.

Ill get ya a video to see. Speaking of which, you should let us hear it.

My Video

Other than that spark plugs are a must do thing. Really should wake it up. Get the lisle tool before you even start lol

And if your wanting to do the phasers and solenoids now might as well not put any fresh oil in it because you usually wanna drop the pan and clean everything up, if you wanna change it and ride it like it is making noise for a bit it wont hurt anything.

lewissa81

If you're going to replace the phasers, then there is no sense in leaving the original timing chains/tensioners/guides in. It doesn't cost much more, or take much more time. More often then not, when you have the "diesel noise," the tensioners have blown seals. That causes chains to go slack and slap against the guides, sometimes breaking them and clogging the oil pump pick up screen. The blown tensioners and/or clogged pick up also reduce oil pressure which cause the phasers to go bad. Some people get lucky and just replace the phasers. That's a lot of work to not do the right way, the first time.
I say to change the oil, then do the timing system after a few hundred miles to help clean the engine out. You never really know what the previous owner did and when. You also never know how dirty or clean the inside is without opening it up. These engines have tiny little oil passages that do not like engine flushes. They can get clogged if you do a flush. A quick oil change is the best bang for the buck, in my opinion.

MHOWELL34

My video finally posted, first time it failed for some reason so there ya go! Watch and hear what it will sound like 50,000+ miles down the road haha

hacker

Hey guys, thanks for the advice, if it is not broke don't fix it. I will use that money to have a dead hickory tree in my yard taken down.

j.low

Cat. converters can make a ticking sound too.

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

I am going to second the converters making a "coins in a can" noise. Another idea is the exhaust manifolds leaking. I wouldnt change phasers, timing chains, guides, solenoids unless you were throwing codes for that issue.