So I have heard multiple times that there was some sort of revision in the 06-07 years in regards to phasers. I have looked up and down and can not find what exactly was changed. I heard the 'newer' phasers were less likely to fail, but commonly still do. Looking at part numbers, there has been no change. So, is this just hear, say? Did Ford actually do anything to revise the phaser issue? What about the oil pump?

Thanks!

 

You may be thinking about the Head re-design on motors built on or after 10/9/07... this motor build includes several up-grades including eliminating the 2 piece plug design. Check the motor build date on your 08...not the truck build date.

 

I just had my 08 f150 fx4 engine replaced for cam damage caused by the phasers. My oil pressure at hot idle was 19psi and spec min is 15psi so mine wasn't an oil pressure issue. My manufacture date was November 07. I was still under a 3rd party extended warranty so I only paid $56....but it would have been a $7000 bill. The truck was loud like a diesel but seemed to run fine...it would have failed eventually and catastrophically.

When I got my new engine I asked if I was going to have the same problem and they assured me that the new phasers are made with tighter tolerances...but have no source to back this up.

I believe the engine I got was
http://accurateengines.com/remanufac...-valve-engine/

and they mention new timing components.

 

Who built the new one?

 

I'm not convinced "tolerances" were the problem to begin with. Hopefully they're right.

 

The issue is not the phasers themselves but the timing chain guides and tensioners. The seals on those begin to leak and bleed off pressure that goes to the top end of the heads (the phasers and the cams).
The truth behind your oil pressure being an issue would be related to where they were reading the pressure from. If below the tensioners the pressure would seem fine because the loss is above that area.

So to answer you query, it is not the phasers that fail but more often the low oil pressure that causes damage to the phasers and thus premature failure. The problem is upstream and the phaser failure is a symptom, not a cause.

This is why so many people have their phasers changed only to have the issues return in short order.

The revision you are referring to is in the phaser solenoids which have had several redesigns since 2004. I cannot speak for the aftermarket but the OEM phasers you buy now are all the new design with bigger orifice and check ball to prevent a zero pressure restart.

As for your new engine my only concern would be what timing parts they used as many cheap out and put in aftermarket parts when it has been shown over and over that they just do not last. Doorman has said to many mechanic that they have issue with their timing parts and not to use them. I personally know a mechanic that was told by Doorman not to use their timing parts

 

Well said Dirt !!

 

Yes, this is the issue I was referring to. My build date is 04/08. I know I have the new head design

My understanding of the issue is that the backing plate on the oil pump was flexing, thus not allowing oil to be fed to the upper half of the engine.

Was there a new part number associated with the 'new' style phasers?

 

Not new phasers, new phaser solenoids. The phasers change the timing on the can and are mounted on the front of the cam. The solenoids are in the valve covers and actuate the changes in the phasers.

 

hmmm makes sense. So, in theory, I could change the VCT solenoid out and prevent the tick from happening?