Any theories/reasons why the cam phasers go bad?
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Archer, IA (Northwest IA)
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have just heard about the cam phasers and was wondering if they are going bad in the heritage models also
also i am thinking about buy a 04 fx4 so just want to know what you guys think if i should buy it or get something else
also i am thinking about buy a 04 fx4 so just want to know what you guys think if i should buy it or get something else
#23
I guess Fram doesn't make good oil filters? I must humbly disagree with that opinion.
#24
Appalachian American
I test engines for a living, I used to work for one of the "big 3", but have sense moved on to a private firm. I looked at two things with the 3 valve 5.4L. First if you follow the path of the oiling circuit the VCT solenoids and cam phasers through them are the last parts to get oil in the circuit. That would mean that the oil will be at its highest temp, thus thinner, at this point. This is why some of the people who run thicker oil have the ticking issue become quieter. In my opinion 5W20 is a little on the thin side as oil goes. Also the revised VCT solenoids have a larger drain hole in them. This helps the oil flow through the circuit faster letting cooler oil reach the phasers. In all of the testing I had done on engines with VCT systems I have never actually seen a phaser itself go bad. The only part I have ever seen go bad is the VCT solenoid. Having seen the inside of several different engines, domestic and foreign, I can say the phasers themselves are essentially the same. Also if the phaser would become stuck or locked in a position and become not able to move the PCM would trip a code for cam to crank correlation.
I can also agree with the sludge build up being a major factor in all this, the passages in the VCT solenoid as well as the phaser itself are not extremely large and could become easily blocked by any foreign substances.
I can also agree with the sludge build up being a major factor in all this, the passages in the VCT solenoid as well as the phaser itself are not extremely large and could become easily blocked by any foreign substances.
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#26
Couldn't agree more. The 5.4 is a crappy motor and delivers crappy power for such a heavy truck (300hp/365tq at 7,200lbs) and with the cam phaser problems and spark plug problems, reliability is questionable. The 5.3 flex fuel LS based engine is definitely a superior engine.
#27
Well I could not disagree more. I personally have put 209K and 204K on my last two 5.3L motors, and my son has had two 5.3 (current with 128K and his old truck with 190K) as well. My quick math = nearly 3/4 million miles. Other than exhaust manifold gaskets (pretty common at 75K or so) the 5.3 has been rock solid. We have not replaced any diffs, trannies, or rebuild any motors.
This is my first Ford. I am taking a real leap of faith leaving such a solid platform for this F150, but I simply could not pass this truck up. I really love the solid interior, heavy...solid feel while driving...lack of ratlles....etc... I just hope that I can get the same level of service out of this 5.4.
This is my first Ford. I am taking a real leap of faith leaving such a solid platform for this F150, but I simply could not pass this truck up. I really love the solid interior, heavy...solid feel while driving...lack of ratlles....etc... I just hope that I can get the same level of service out of this 5.4.
#28
Appalachian American
I am running 10w30 Royal Purple in my truck and it is much quieter than it was. Any good full synthetic oil will work. The main thing is the heavier weight oil.
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Arizona Tumbleweed (12-18-2017)
#29
American member
I don't know about the maintenance part, I'm at 123,000 and have changed my oil at 3,500mi without fail and used motorcraft filters Everytime. My oil is still clear and my phasers are knocking. I might switch out the solenoids and see what happens.
The following 2 users liked this post by Masi1926:
Arizona Tumbleweed (12-18-2017),
dualfuel (07-02-2014)
#30
I have to believe that it is a design problem more than anything else. I currently have 140,000 on my '08 5.4 and it has had Mobil 1 in it for the last 100,000 miles. Many Hwy miles, cruising with the crusie control on. Oil and filter changed every 5,000- 6,000 miles. Either Motorcraft or Purolator filters. Drain oil looks good. This motor does not know what sludge is, but I still have the "Tick"! It was in the dealership for the wiring recall and the Tech said that he thought the tick was a loose spark plug! Not unless it is hitting the top of the piston!! I changed the spark plug my self and went back in a double checked and retorqued them. Nothng! It sound like a cam follower has backed off. My next journey!!
Oh by the way, friend of mine has '05 4 X 4 with 5.4, just like mine it started ticking at 100,000 miles, it now has 280,000 on. Both run great, just "TICKS".
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Oh by the way, friend of mine has '05 4 X 4 with 5.4, just like mine it started ticking at 100,000 miles, it now has 280,000 on. Both run great, just "TICKS".
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