Mif, After I changed my VCT valves and saved my truck from the junk yard, I wasn't sure either. So I dropped the oil pan, not technically difficult, just time consuming as you need to lower the front differential by removing support bolts and use your spare tire jack to support it. Well, guess what I found. See pictures. threads from a bolt in by pick up tube and all the other crap in the pan. So I'm still running on borrowed time. Have been collecting all the parts to complete the whole job in the next month. Funny this is that the truck still runs well, just a little noisy at idle after running.

 

Where the hell did that bolt come from?!?

 

So I have a problem. I was attempting to replace the cam phaser and when I pulled the phaser off something "sprung", which I now realize was either the camshaft probably moving, or the phaser springing, not sure which.

Now when I tried to put the phaser back on lined up with the mark on the chain, the keyed part of the phaser doesn't match up with the camshaft.

So what are my options now? I did mark both the timing chain and phaser. I did not set to TDC as I had planned on changing the timing chains and everything but read conflicting info saying I didn't need to do so.

Part of me thinks I should just rotate the crankshaft until I'm able to match the chain to the phaser, but I don't want to screw it up.

 

Use the vice grips to slightly turn the cam shaft until the phaser lines up. Shouldn't be much. I had to turn mine slightly as well. Good luck, hopefully everything works out right, in my opinion, always set to TDC. Let us know how it goes.

Tom

 

Thanks, that makes sense and sounds easy enough. So am I right in thinking that as long as the chain and sprocket get matched back up as they should that I'll be fine. I'm asking because I also noticed movement while breaking the bolt loose. I had the wedge 'tool' in place but it wasn't quite enough.

Thanks again.

 

Yes, as long as all your timing marks on the sprockets line up with their corresponding marks on the chains you'll be fine. Mine did the same thing, just used a set of vise grips to reposition the camshaft and hold it in position. Just don't start rotating the crankshaft independently from the camshafts to get to TDC if you're way off now that you've removed the chains.

 

Hello, long time lurker, this is my 3rd 5.4 and first time with the knocks and the P0022 code on occasion. I was told by mechanic it was the cam phaser issue. Also reading could be the VCT solenoids.

I have an 05 Lariat with the 5.4 so I could do the Solenoids myself pretty easy looks like. I may try that but first, I am wondering if there is anyone on here in the St Louis, MO area that is experienced and does the Cam Phaser job really well, as outlined in the first post of this thread. I could pay to have the whole job done right.....

Shoot me a message if you know of anyone or you do it in the area, I don't want to go to a random mechanic or the dealership, can live with it but am interested.

Thanks!!

 

Rather than using vice grips on the camshaft, just install the phaser on the camshaft first and tighten the bolt finger tight. Then install the timing chain on the phaser so that the timing mark on the chain lines up with the mark on the phaser. Then rotate the crankshaft (yes, you can slowly turn it in either direction) until the other chain timing mark matches up with the crank sprocket timing mark, being careful not to let the chain slip on the phaser. Once the marks are aligned and the chain is installed on the phaser and crank sprockets, rotate the crankshaft clockwise just enough to tension the chain between the crank and phaser. Now install both chain guides and the chain guide tensioner using assembly lube without rotating the engine until they are fully installed. Rotate the engine slightly to ensure the timing marks are all still aligned and then repeat for the passenger side head. Don't forget to torque the phaser bolts to spec.

This way, you never have to clamp down on the camshaft with vice grips.

 

Had a F150 used Lariet, it did the ticktock, my retired ford mechanic said he heard slack in timing chain before i bought, Bartow Ford said truck was good, had problems, my friend changed the fuel filter and found gas in the oul pan. He check ore stuff, i wanted it towed to ford, the towung was to be thru them, they saus no tow, just drive it diwn here. It started to pull white smoke and I limpwd ir to the serve dept line as they were closed. I parked a few hours and then they wanted me to move it to the unterior of the service area but it would not crank. They took the engine apart, took pics, sent it to Ford. Got a new engine, it did not get the good gas mileage as before. I was told the phasers are defective, but not recalled as is with so many other ford issues. I loved that Truck! It was a nice ride and it kept my ponies fed.
Yet on 11-12-13 , a drunk driver decided to make an illegal uturn into my truck, totaling it, of course her insurance refused to pay, but totaled it out so icould not getit fixed as was financed. I pay for that truck still, and even though i have injuries still, that druck did save my life.

 

You can see in the picture of broken parts the bolt and bolt hole in the driver side lower chain guide. This is my belief. I plan to post my findings when I get the covers off.