opinions on cam phaser issues
08-06-2015, 11:21 PM
#1
opinions on cam phaser issues
I recently bought a 2005 f 150 fx4 for $3600. it has the diesel noise and some chain slap. the truck has 185000 miles on it. I have the timing chain covers off but everything looks good except for the passenger side chain tensioner which is causing a lot of slack in the chain. I don't want to dump a bunch of money into a truck with a hundred eighty five thousand miles. the camshaft lobes show a pretty heavy wear pattern. I'm thinking about replacing the tensioners with the iron tensioners from the 1999 model and installing the phaser lockouts and then put it back together. I wouldn't be buying chains or guides. and being that there are so many miles on the truck I'm guessing that stuff has all been replaced at some point anyway. is there any way to tell if I have a stock chain, guides, and phasers?
08-07-2015, 01:09 AM
#2
Senior Member
opinions on cam phaser issues
If there are colored links on the chains, they have been replaced. Other than that, I don't know of a way to tell.
In my opinion, change it all out. If you lock out the phasers, you still have to buy new ones that are in good shape. Then you have to pay for either the tune from Livernois, or a separate tuner (like an SCT or Gryphon) and a custom tune. If you are looking to save money, locking the phasers on a truck with that mileage is not the way to go.
If the chains are loose and slapping, you may be able to get away with keeping the chains, but you need to replace the guides. They have already been weakened. However, do you really want to risk not replacing the chains while you're in there? They aren't expensive.
You can get a packaged kit with chains, guides, tensioners, phasers, etc from ebay and Amazon, and have it all done for around $700. The VCT solenoids can be bought off ebay for about $100 for the pair including the seals.
The big question though, is how bad is the camshaft? If it's in bad shape, fixing the timing will be pointless.
In my opinion, change it all out. If you lock out the phasers, you still have to buy new ones that are in good shape. Then you have to pay for either the tune from Livernois, or a separate tuner (like an SCT or Gryphon) and a custom tune. If you are looking to save money, locking the phasers on a truck with that mileage is not the way to go.
If the chains are loose and slapping, you may be able to get away with keeping the chains, but you need to replace the guides. They have already been weakened. However, do you really want to risk not replacing the chains while you're in there? They aren't expensive.
You can get a packaged kit with chains, guides, tensioners, phasers, etc from ebay and Amazon, and have it all done for around $700. The VCT solenoids can be bought off ebay for about $100 for the pair including the seals.
The big question though, is how bad is the camshaft? If it's in bad shape, fixing the timing will be pointless.
08-07-2015, 07:41 AM
#3
Don't forget the lash adjusters and roller rockers, which, too, can be bought en masse from an OEM parts dealer on eBay. The camshaft is probably fine because that steel is super hard. But post (GOOD and LOTS OF) pictures of them if you're not sure.
Since you're in there, just change it all out. Hell, even do the water pump while you've got it off. I even did my oil pump because I was there. If you do need to replace the camshaft, they run between $105-$150 each, stock, which isn't terrible and will last you for... well, ever, with the right parts and maintenance done now.
Since you're in there, just change it all out. Hell, even do the water pump while you've got it off. I even did my oil pump because I was there. If you do need to replace the camshaft, they run between $105-$150 each, stock, which isn't terrible and will last you for... well, ever, with the right parts and maintenance done now.
08-07-2015, 08:34 AM
#4
If there are colored links on the chains, they have been replaced. Other than that, I don't know of a way to tell.
In my opinion, change it all out. If you lock out the phasers, you still have to buy new ones that are in good shape. Then you have to pay for either the tune from Livernois, or a separate tuner (like an SCT or Gryphon) and a custom tune. If you are looking to save money, locking the phasers on a truck with that mileage is not the way to go.
If the chains are loose and slapping, you may be able to get away with keeping the chains, but you need to replace the guides. They have already been weakened. However, do you really want to risk not replacing the chains while you're in there? They aren't expensive.
You can get a packaged kit with chains, guides, tensioners, phasers, etc from ebay and Amazon, and have it all done for around $700. The VCT solenoids can be bought off ebay for about $100 for the pair including the seals.
The big question though, is how bad is the camshaft? If it's in bad shape, fixing the timing will be pointless.
In my opinion, change it all out. If you lock out the phasers, you still have to buy new ones that are in good shape. Then you have to pay for either the tune from Livernois, or a separate tuner (like an SCT or Gryphon) and a custom tune. If you are looking to save money, locking the phasers on a truck with that mileage is not the way to go.
If the chains are loose and slapping, you may be able to get away with keeping the chains, but you need to replace the guides. They have already been weakened. However, do you really want to risk not replacing the chains while you're in there? They aren't expensive.
You can get a packaged kit with chains, guides, tensioners, phasers, etc from ebay and Amazon, and have it all done for around $700. The VCT solenoids can be bought off ebay for about $100 for the pair including the seals.
The big question though, is how bad is the camshaft? If it's in bad shape, fixing the timing will be pointless.
08-07-2015, 08:38 AM
#5
Don't forget the lash adjusters and roller rockers, which, too, can be bought en masse from an OEM parts dealer on eBay. The camshaft is probably fine because that steel is super hard. But post (GOOD and LOTS OF) pictures of them if you're not sure.
Since you're in there, just change it all out. Hell, even do the water pump while you've got it off. I even did my oil pump because I was there. If you do need to replace the camshaft, they run between $105-$150 each, stock, which isn't terrible and will last you for... well, ever, with the right parts and maintenance done now.
Since you're in there, just change it all out. Hell, even do the water pump while you've got it off. I even did my oil pump because I was there. If you do need to replace the camshaft, they run between $105-$150 each, stock, which isn't terrible and will last you for... well, ever, with the right parts and maintenance done now.
08-07-2015, 08:59 AM
#7
Senior Member
opinions on cam phaser issues
There are colored links on the chain. Livernois said i can reuse the phasers. I don't mind spending the money on the lockout because i can transfer it to my next motor if i decide to buy a used motor down the road. Will new vct solenoids be necessary with locked phasers?
You don't need new VCT solenoids with the lockout, but you need to at least take out the old ones and inspect. They have little screens that can get clogged or come loose and get stuck in the solenoids restricting oil flow.
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08-07-2015, 09:11 AM
#9
I guess I could be wrong about needing new phasers with the lockout.
You don't need new VCT solenoids with the lockout, but you need to at least take out the old ones and inspect. They have little screens that can get clogged or come loose and get stuck in the solenoids restricting oil flow.
You don't need new VCT solenoids with the lockout, but you need to at least take out the old ones and inspect. They have little screens that can get clogged or come loose and get stuck in the solenoids restricting oil flow.
08-07-2015, 09:25 AM
#10
I can't answer that because I didn't take before and after readings. I changed out all my gear because I heard the famous noises and just wanted it done before it became problematic.