Hey guys im wondering about my 2008 f-150 5.4 and what i should do other than some of the ideas in my head haha i have it tore down and replaced both colinoids and ordering guides and tensioner for drivers side. Before i order tensioner and guides id like to know 1 how to tell if tensioner is dead and 2 how to tell if campasers are shot or not if tere is no physical apearence that its broke. I had a small noise that turned into a bigr noise which then eventually put my timing out and with all ovthe info on these 5,4 tritons on the net i thsn knew i hadto start on some engine repairs. Once i got to the camphasers and tensioner i ould see rite awy my tensioner on driers sie was not pushed out agenst the guide and that my chaine was loose enough to slap agenst front plate. Once i took off tensiomer it pluged back out again and still feels strong when squeezed but this i firzt one iv seen or totched so icant tell if its shotor if it was just not at rite oil pressure till i took everything apart and now its reset.the colinoid on that side (driveers side) loked to be in good shape bt passenger side once taken out had a screen missing and a small scratch ware somertjing dMaged it but not sure wat or how but both are replaced now. Tensiomer and chaine on pass side are al fine and tight but back to drivrs side with loose chaine could that be from tensioner or cMphaser? I really do not wNt to replace camphasers if i dont have to due to takin more moter apart and exspences but will if it is needed. Is it possible to use camphaser lockout noise kit as a fix to further damage if my phaserrs are fine. And if my cam phasers are t.he problem how do i tell by looking at them without taking them off? Really hope someone can answer my questions and eaze some of my 5.4 stress. Oh and i got the truck at 140,000 km and its now at 201,000km and at 145,000 ford replaced the engine after makng same noises that lead up to this same problem im facing now.

 

Replace it all. If you have the valve covers and timing cover off already, replace it all now. You can pick up an almost complete set of the parts you need from ebay. Use actual Motorcraft, stay away from Dorman.
Most tensioners that fail have a seal blow on the back, where it mounts to the motor. This will cause everything else to go (chains are loose, oil pressure drops, guides break and clog the oil pump pickup screen, phasers go bad). Replace the vct solenoids also. They have been revised and updated.
Use this guide and you'll be fine:
https://www.f150forum.com/f4/final-r...-sound-141266/

This kit is the best deal I've seen:
http://m.ebay.com/itm/251283472452?nav=SEARCH
Also get the VCT solenoids and gasket:
http://m.ebay.com/itm/171336558566?nav=SEARCH
You can lock out the phasers, but you'll need to get a tune for it. Look up the Livernois lockout kit for details.
Just because the phasers look good, doesn't mean they aren't broken internally.