01-22-2015, 03:49 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
Issue: Is your F-150’s engine idling loudly?
The eight cylinder engines are notorious for this due to the cam phasers. For the unaware, cam phasers are responsible for adjusting the camshaft position to improve fuel injection into the cylinders, which leads to better fuel efficiency when idling and the ability to draw power from the engine more quickly. However, after anywhere from 60,000-100,000 miles, they also cause rough, loud idling due to wear and tear.
While the cause can typically be linked to the cam phasers, solutions to the problem vary widely. Some of the top recommendations include:
Read the full thread to find out which of these solutions is best for your truck.
The eight cylinder engines are notorious for this due to the cam phasers. For the unaware, cam phasers are responsible for adjusting the camshaft position to improve fuel injection into the cylinders, which leads to better fuel efficiency when idling and the ability to draw power from the engine more quickly. However, after anywhere from 60,000-100,000 miles, they also cause rough, loud idling due to wear and tear.
While the cause can typically be linked to the cam phasers, solutions to the problem vary widely. Some of the top recommendations include:
- While the noise is annoying, the cam phaser itself isn’t actually breaking. If you can live with it, your F-150 will be fine.
- If the truck is under warranty, bring it to the dealership.
- It’s possible they may need to either replace the cam phasers, or even the cam phasers and camshaft as well.
- Install a coil spring behind each cam phaser to reduce the rattle as it moves.
- Swap the cam phasers from a larger engine so that it sits more tightly, reducing the rattle.
Read the full thread to find out which of these solutions is best for your truck.
5.4L cam phasers.. What goes bad?
10-27-2012, 10:27 PM
#162
Originally Posted by windwalker
Well guy's just got my truck back and guess what! It started doing the the same thing. New timing chains, cam phasers tentioners etc....
time and money wasted from the sounds of it...
10-28-2012, 03:16 PM
#163
Originally Posted by Rocko1
Please tell me you checked the hot engine oil pressure? I bet you money your pressure is below 20psi when hot, which if the case, replacing the parts you listed will do nothing, and yes, you need a new engine.
People, if you have rough idle when hot check your oil pressure while the engine is hot. This should be your first test. If it's below 25psi, there is your problem. So many people throwing thousands of dollars at these engines.
01-03-2013, 12:29 PM
#165
I just read this entire thread. I had some severe ticking sounds coming from my 2005 fx4. I have it at the dealer right now after blowing out a spark plug last night. I think my terrible sounds were mostly due to loose spark plugs after the plugs got changed. Im sure the phasers are still making some sound but Im hoping it is reduced.
03-12-2013, 08:39 PM
#168
Junior Member
I see a lot of techs who do the timing chain job on these engines without pulling the oil pan. The crankshaft is an integral part of the valve timing system, (as well as the rest of the engine). The oil pump and oil pickup screen are also an integral part of the VVT system. The 5.4 has a bad habit of destroying the crankshaft thrust shims allowing the crankshaft to travel horizontally within the engine block and rubbing up against the block, the oil pump, or both. A technician should be very careful not to give clients estimates until they pull the oil pan to give the client a proper estimate. A crankshaft drifting forward and backwards in the block will surely break a tensioner rail. The tech who offers to replace that rail along with chains, tensioners, phazers, a valve job a water pump and a bunch of labor is quickly disappointed when he fires up the cars and hears the noises from the broken crank shims. This is not a bad engine. it is an engine with a lubrication flaw with the crankshaft thrust bearings that causes a lot of problems. Almost every engine the machine shop sees with timing chain problems seems to start at the crankshaft thrust bearings allowing a loss of oil pressure. Fix the crank shims. use motorcraft oil and filters, use a little prolong, and you will get 300,000 miles. Not doing these things will have VERY BAD results. I hope this helps.
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sapper12b (06-15-2014)
04-28-2013, 10:01 AM
#169
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ticking sound
http://youtu.be/ARLOz_J0haw here is a video of how my 2006 F-150 FX4 is sounding as of yesterday 4-27-2013. After it has reached temp and you go to put it in drive it has a bad rattling sound like the chain is just raking across metal constantly. After it stalls and you restart it, the rattling is still there but if you run the rpms up for a minute it goes away and will idle fine just dont put in gear or it will do it again, once in a while it will do it just idleling. I finally have saved up enough money to order my parts and THANKS TO EVERY ONE on here with the ROCK AUTO PRICES, I done my research and STEALERSHIP wanted over $3500.00, AUTO ZONE $1000.00, ROCK AUTO, $530.00. BUT IF YOU PRINT OUT ROCK AUTOS PRICE SHEET AND TAKE IT TO AUTO ZONE THEY WILL MATCH THERE PRICE. I got everything from auto zone with in 2 days and payed $572.00. That was for both phasers, timing chain kit with tensioners, timing cover gaskets, valve cover gaskets, intake gaskets, water pump. Not Bad for getting all i need to do this overhaul. I started taking everything off yesterday and i have seen just at the top corner of my timing cover on the left side, i seen where the timing chain has hit the cover and can see spots on the timing chain where it has been hitting something. I have been stopped by the rain here in North carolina so i will have to continue when weather cooperates with me. I also dont understand as of yet how to get the power steering pump off yet but will think about it today. Also if you are doing this job yourself 1. it is a big help to take the intake off to allow room to get valve cover clearance and to check vaccum lines, also I have found that my timing marks on chains where 2 links off on both phasers as i havent taken off the timing cover as of yet do to weather stopping me as i do not have a garage big enough for truck to fit in 
so any way I have rotated the engine at least 4 times and the chain marks are getting closer to where they have to be. More info on how its going as weather and work will allow me to do more. 
so any way I have rotated the engine at least 4 times and the chain marks are getting closer to where they have to be. More info on how its going as weather and work will allow me to do more.
04-28-2013, 04:50 PM
#170
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Missouri Ozarks & Clay Country GA
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Hey, pc, that prolong stuff still available, eh? I use to put it in everything when I first got it, but I haven't seen it lately. Nor the slick 50 stuff. I liked the prolong. I think it works. I guess. I hope.