iRub1Out

OMW to work Wednesday the truck died at a stop sign, I started it back up and everything seemed to be running okay. A mile or so later (less than 50mph) it started shaking violently, and wouldn't rev past 2000 and wouldn't exceed 20mph. Took it to a local mechanic (who I trust) and he found the following codes:
(I confirmed this with my snap-on Solus)
P0305 - Misfire on cyl. 5
P0307 - " " cyl 7
P0308 - " " cyl 8
P0303 - " " cyl 3
P2198 - 02 sensor stuck - B2-S1
P0300 - Random Misfire
P1000 - OBDII system check
P0171 - System too lean Bank 1
P0175 - System too rich Bank 2
-And finally, the nail in the coffin-
P0022 - INT Cam Position Timing Over Net - Bank 2
(dealer cringed when I said this code - and said "that's not good") SHI*

The mech tore into it thinking it MAY be computer related, a sensor, or plugged CAT... Well... The phaser on the Left side (driver) seized and the cam is stuck at 62.77 degrees retard (should be at 0). No cylinder fires on left side, VCT solenoid is fine, cam position sensor is fine, PCM, ECM, COP's, plugs, everything is checking out in the green but the cam doesn't move at any RPM.

He says it "is probably internal" and that I would be wise to consider a new motor. There may be bent valves, or even worse in there and repair would be 65% of the cost of a new motor. So, since the truck is in really good shape and I can't sell it as it is... Should I buy a rebuilt motor or used motor? What do you guys think?

Sorry for the long post but I am beside myself facing a $4100 motor from the dealer + whatever labor for my mechanic to put it in.

LUVmyDUX

I dread this and if this happens to me I'd be so mad! I think I would drop in a new engine and opt for a newer 5.0 or whatever. In all honesty, I'm not a fan of the 5.4. Too many issues with it.

freebird518

what about a top end rebuild?
Any good machine shop should be able to rebuild your heads. As long as no damage occurred to the short block components.

That would for sure be cheaper than 4100 for a motor.

BolletuH

I would look around for an extremely low mileage Engine and Transmission from a junkyard or online. A pair of these will almost equal a whole brand new engine, and just replacing these two components is cheaper than an entire new truck. I would get an 07-08 engine though... at least they somewhat reworked the phasers that year ya know.

iRub1Out

Well a rebuild isn't really worth it in my eyes... Think about this...
It's a 2004 new body style with 180,000 miles. A rebuild would make it run right, but the motor is already tired as hell, and something else would eventually crap out. With a new motor I would get another 150-200K miles (I plan on keeping it a long time).

Say I do rebuild it, that's 65% the total cost of a new motor, and who knows when something else will break and require MORE repair? So I spend more $ on repairs on a tired motor... It's a bigger risk.

The 07-08 5.4L wont work in an 04-06 truck though. I tried that and apparently there are enough changes to the motors (wiring, hose locations, fluid lines...) that trying to put a 07-08 motor in would be a bigger pain in the *** than it would be worth. However they did say that the rebuilt motors for the 04-06 are built with the same specs as the 07-08 is. Making the remans from the dealer equal to the quality of the 07-08 fixes. So it shouldn't have the same faults as it did. (not to mention asking for a 07-08 motor adds $1000 and takes away $100 on core return)

LUVmyDUX

I am thinking the same way as you zipper, I'd rather just pay for a whole new motor than rebuilding since you never know what will crap out next. Get a newer version of the 5.4 if you're going that route.

HoppyFX4

Either way I hope everything works out for you! Did they say anything could have been done to prevent this or was it just your lucky day?

iRub1Out

They said it was just that phasers time to go. They said the "internals looked great for 180,000 and that had this not happened it would probably have gone well over 200K".

So, no maintenance or preventative action could have prevented this, maybe only delayed it.

Deege

I had a problem with my 04 after ford rebuilt the whole top end under warranty it turned out to be the oil pump.kind of funny because I suggested that in the first place and they complained to me about spending 6 grand to get there.

rockymtnrider

If/when this happens to my '05, I'll opt for the new motor or one with <30k miles that's also a 07 - 09. $4,100 for a truck that you can depend on is a deal.