Originally Posted by zdavis

Hey everyone,

1st time poster here.....so thanks in advance for the great help. my 04 super crew has just started the infamous knocking/diesel sound....right now i have about 92K miles on it. I have been doing some research and thanks to all the great advice on this forum I feel this is something I can change myself. My thoughts are to go ahead and replace the following since I will have it torn down.

phasers
guides
chains
tensioners
and whatever else comes with the kit..

My question is one that I probably already know the answer to but in order to cover all my bases I must ask. If i am going to change everything do I need to purchase the timing chain lock wedge (#303-1175)?

My 2nd question pertains to timing as I have never done this before but it doesn't seem to be that hard. Once I pull the old timing chains the engine will be "out of time" so to speak. I have read on this post (and other places) about how to set the timing on this engine. My question is...is it really just that easy? Also after I think I have timed it correctly....is there some way I can test this with some sort of certainty?

thanks for all the great help...

-zd

Originally Posted by zdavis

Hey everyone,

1st time poster here.....so thanks in advance for the great help. my 04 super crew has just started the infamous knocking/diesel sound....right now i have about 92K miles on it. I have been doing some research and thanks to all the great advice on this forum I feel this is something I can change myself. My thoughts are to go ahead and replace the following since I will have it torn down.

phasers
guides
chains
tensioners
and whatever else comes with the kit..

My question is one that I probably already know the answer to but in order to cover all my bases I must ask. If i am going to change everything do I need to purchase the timing chain lock wedge (#303-1175)?

My 2nd question pertains to timing as I have never done this before but it doesn't seem to be that hard. Once I pull the old timing chains the engine will be "out of time" so to speak. I have read on this post (and other places) about how to set the timing on this engine. My question is...is it really just that easy? Also after I think I have timed it correctly....is there some way I can test this with some sort of certainty?

thanks for all the great help...

-zd

Originally Posted by zdavis

All, Thanks for the valuable advice. I am beginning to get the parts together and will attempt this job early in this year, hopefully, documenting the whole process. Another question that I have just for curiosities sake.... What is the direct cause of the "knocking" sound I am hearing? Part/spring in the phaser itself? Is this knocking causing harm right now or is it just a nuisance that is indicative of a major issue in the future. I see no dash lights or poor performance. Thanks, -zd

Originally Posted by primalurges

If the noise is present at cold start its likely lash adjuster, followers, and possibly phasers. If the sound is only present after it reaches ttemperature then it's the phasers. The real labor intensive part of this job believe it or not is removing the valve covers especially passenger side. Once you're ins there especially if you're removing the phaser might as well go all the way and do adjusters and followers S it will only add $300 to parts and you should be good for another 100k miles.

As far as the noise is concerned, noisy phasers usually will not damage anything. Bad lash adjusters will over time burn your valves and if that happens you're talking head job which is very pricey on this engine. If you go for the lash adjuster replacement you'll have to remove the cams. Also, I wouldn't attempt this job without using the wedge because if the chain goes slack and jumps a tooth in the bottom sprocket this turns from a one day job to a more complicated 2 or 3 day job. The wedge runs about $80 on ebay. If you're interested I can sell you my used one for $40 shipped.

Originally Posted by primalurges

If the noise is present at cold start its likely lash adjuster, followers, and possibly phasers. If the sound is only present after it reaches ttemperature then it's the phasers. The real labor intensive part of this job believe it or not is removing the valve covers especially passenger side. Once you're ins there especially if you're removing the phaser might as well go all the way and do adjusters and followers S it will only add $300 to parts and you should be good for another 100k miles.

As far as the noise is concerned, noisy phasers usually will not damage anything. Bad lash adjusters will over time burn your valves and if that happens you're talking head job which is very pricey on this engine. If you go for the lash adjuster replacement you'll have to remove the cams. Also, I wouldn't attempt this job without using the wedge because if the chain goes slack and jumps a tooth in the bottom sprocket this turns from a one day job to a more complicated 2 or 3 day job. The wedge runs about $80 on ebay. If you're interested I can sell you my used one for $40 shipped.

Originally Posted by TuscanyJC

My '06 5.4L is just fixing to hit 14,000. Yes, that's 14k not 140k. My engine is making this noise at cold start and seems to stop after the engine warms up. What would cause the engine to do this at only 14 thousand miles?

Originally Posted by primalurges

is it very brief for like a second or two?

Originally Posted by TuscanyJC

It lasts for a few minutes and stops after the temp gauge starts climbing and the engine warms up.