The Final Repair Guide to 5.4 Cam Phaser Tick/Knock Sound
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: Minnesota
Again, for those who are reading these posts like I did for weeks, wondering if this is the problem or needing all the tips to do it yourself, then I say go for it.
For the record, 4 months ago I had no tools, only took the truck to Jiify for oil changes. When Ford told me I needed a new engine, I got mad. I did the research, confirmed the problem ( drop your oil pan to see if broken plastic parts are there). I went out and bought about $600 in tools, Ford Service Manual CD on eBay, and $800 in parts. Then said to myself, screw it! I'm going in. I'm a manufacturing plant engineer, so do have some mechanical experience and thought process, but most called me a fool for trying this.
The folks on this thread will help you, so go fix your truck dog gone it !!!
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: n/a
Two days after repair, truck runs like new. I intentially drove around a parking lot at 1 MPH and she sounds like a golf cart. On the interstate cruising at 65, I punched it as if to pass a semi and she became a rocket on Nitro.
Again, for those who are reading these posts like I did for weeks, wondering if this is the problem or needing all the tips to do it yourself, then I say go for it.
The folks on this thread will help you, so go fix your truck dog gone it !!!
Again, for those who are reading these posts like I did for weeks, wondering if this is the problem or needing all the tips to do it yourself, then I say go for it.
The folks on this thread will help you, so go fix your truck dog gone it !!!
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: n/a
Day four (2004 5.4L 3V Triton)
Well, today was a big progress day. With the advice of folks here, I removed the Power Steering pump. Then, quickly removed the timing cover.
Honestly, I did a little victory dance. LOL
What I discovered was a nothing less than shocking!!! The passenger side guide rail was completely in pieces (about 5). The timing cover had fresh chew marks from the chain. The chain had so much slack in it I swear the timing was off by 2-3 teeth (no wonder it ran so crappy). The driver's side was in better shape, but still had slack.
In a matter of 30 minutes I had all the new phasers, tensioners, and guides installed. I pressed in a new crank gasket (benefits of having a motorcycle shop at my house - a variety of tools like a shop press). I was in the mode of re-installing all that had taken me four days to remove.
I'll tell you, putting it back together is about 20 times easier than removing (when you don't know what you're really doing).
In a matter of two hours I had the timing cover back on, both valve covers, the ECU and wires, the passenger plugs/coils/wires and everything on the passenger side completely done.
If it weren't for my wife, who I've been ignoring for 5 days doing this project, I would have completed buttoning up the project tonight. Since I like her (a lot), I decided to stop for the day, clean up, and spend some time with her.
Tomorrow I have not doubts that a pot of coffee and 2 more hours I'll be firing it up.
For as much as the timing was off as well as the new spark plugs, I'm anticipating a new truck!!!
Thank you all, I will keep you posted. I will print myself a certificate of achievement as I hope to join the ranks of so many who have done this repair before me, shared their experiences, answered my questions, and encouraged me to continue. THANK YOU ALL.
Honestly, I did a little victory dance. LOL
What I discovered was a nothing less than shocking!!! The passenger side guide rail was completely in pieces (about 5). The timing cover had fresh chew marks from the chain. The chain had so much slack in it I swear the timing was off by 2-3 teeth (no wonder it ran so crappy). The driver's side was in better shape, but still had slack.
In a matter of 30 minutes I had all the new phasers, tensioners, and guides installed. I pressed in a new crank gasket (benefits of having a motorcycle shop at my house - a variety of tools like a shop press). I was in the mode of re-installing all that had taken me four days to remove.
I'll tell you, putting it back together is about 20 times easier than removing (when you don't know what you're really doing).
In a matter of two hours I had the timing cover back on, both valve covers, the ECU and wires, the passenger plugs/coils/wires and everything on the passenger side completely done.
If it weren't for my wife, who I've been ignoring for 5 days doing this project, I would have completed buttoning up the project tonight. Since I like her (a lot), I decided to stop for the day, clean up, and spend some time with her.
Tomorrow I have not doubts that a pot of coffee and 2 more hours I'll be firing it up.
For as much as the timing was off as well as the new spark plugs, I'm anticipating a new truck!!!
Thank you all, I will keep you posted. I will print myself a certificate of achievement as I hope to join the ranks of so many who have done this repair before me, shared their experiences, answered my questions, and encouraged me to continue. THANK YOU ALL.
Last edited by Warden888; Aug 22, 2015 at 09:58 PM.
reid
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
I just completed my project. I had a failing phaser and slack in my timing chains so I installed new guides and iron chain tensioners from the 1999 model F 150s and I installed the livernois lockout kit for my phasers. truck is running good!
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 68
Likes: 4
It is great to see other success stories. My truck has been running fantastic over the past 6 weeks since I did this job. The feeling is great especially knowing that I was able to do this myself.
Still do not understand how Ford can not care about this issue, blaming people by telling them that they did not change their oil enough. My brother had to do his timing chain etc at the dealer he purchased his truck at. It was just off warranty . The " you did not change your oil enough " line was told to him. When he showed the service manager the records of all the oil changes done by their people he back tracked telling my brother that his truck was being used under a severe duty situation on his farm.
Still do not understand how Ford can not care about this issue, blaming people by telling them that they did not change their oil enough. My brother had to do his timing chain etc at the dealer he purchased his truck at. It was just off warranty . The " you did not change your oil enough " line was told to him. When he showed the service manager the records of all the oil changes done by their people he back tracked telling my brother that his truck was being used under a severe duty situation on his farm.
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: n/a
Day 5 (2004 5.4L 3V Triton)
COMPLETE!!!
The parts just flew back together. I only had one issue during assembly (a small plastic screw fell into the last cylinder spark plug hole and I wasn't able to put the coil in that one. Took me an hour (using a mirror) to see why and try to remove it. Finally, with a mirror and a coat hanger I picked at it and if came flying out. I quickly blew air to ensure and set the coil in.
Truck fired up perfectly and quietly. I couldn't imaging it was my truck. Ran very smooth and quiet (comparatively).
After two mile test ride I had a cloud of smoke following me. Oil was pouring out of the truck. I nursed it home and parked it. Oil was just dripping from the passenger side valve cover. I had issues with the gasket installing it, and I figured I must have missed something.
It took me 60 minutes to removed what I need and unbolt the cover. Yep, a gap in the gasket in the back on the bottom. I reset the gasket and competed putting it all together. 30 minutes later. (I'm amazed at how simple it is the second time around!!! - lol).
Powerwashed the oil from before. Added more oil to the engine and another test run. Briefly smoked (oil that I didn't powerwash off) and now the truck is running great (no leaks).
YOU FOLKS GAVE ME THIS GIFT. THANK YOU.
I'm into this job just shy of $600. Full timing kit, both phasers, VCTs (both sides), and 8 new spark plugs!. Started it last Tuesday and finished it Sunday (took Friday off). Was it worth it? At first I was asking "what am I doing". Now? Hell yes. At 156,000 miles I think I will get another 100,000 in this truck - so much for needing a new engine!
Thanks again.
COMPLETE!!!
The parts just flew back together. I only had one issue during assembly (a small plastic screw fell into the last cylinder spark plug hole and I wasn't able to put the coil in that one. Took me an hour (using a mirror) to see why and try to remove it. Finally, with a mirror and a coat hanger I picked at it and if came flying out. I quickly blew air to ensure and set the coil in.
Truck fired up perfectly and quietly. I couldn't imaging it was my truck. Ran very smooth and quiet (comparatively).
After two mile test ride I had a cloud of smoke following me. Oil was pouring out of the truck. I nursed it home and parked it. Oil was just dripping from the passenger side valve cover. I had issues with the gasket installing it, and I figured I must have missed something.
It took me 60 minutes to removed what I need and unbolt the cover. Yep, a gap in the gasket in the back on the bottom. I reset the gasket and competed putting it all together. 30 minutes later. (I'm amazed at how simple it is the second time around!!! - lol).
Powerwashed the oil from before. Added more oil to the engine and another test run. Briefly smoked (oil that I didn't powerwash off) and now the truck is running great (no leaks).
YOU FOLKS GAVE ME THIS GIFT. THANK YOU.
I'm into this job just shy of $600. Full timing kit, both phasers, VCTs (both sides), and 8 new spark plugs!. Started it last Tuesday and finished it Sunday (took Friday off). Was it worth it? At first I was asking "what am I doing". Now? Hell yes. At 156,000 miles I think I will get another 100,000 in this truck - so much for needing a new engine!
Thanks again.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Newton, NC
Parts to complete job
I understand that this could be in the classifieds section however it is an unusual grouping of parts for sale and I knew it would be more beneficial as an addition to this post. I purchased the following from Rock Auto:
917250 (917-250)
Camshaft Phaser / Variable Timing Sprocket
90391SB (9-0391SB)
Timing Set
917250 (917-250)
Camshaft Phaser / Variable Timing Sprocket
TCS46117
Crankshaft Seal
2004 FORD F-150 5.4L V8
L5400 (L5400-4)
Valve Lifter
TCS46078
Timing Cover Gasket Set
VS50664R
Valve Cover Gasket
I was planning on performing the cam phaser and timing chain replacement on my '04 F-150 once time allowed since it was making the dreaded tick. In the mean time the tranny went out in my '99 F-350 over the 4th of July therefore I wanted to wait until I got it back out of the shop before I started the repair so that I would have something to drive. While my 350 was in the shop my 150 dropped a cylinder which turned out to be a failed rocker arm that got into the valve spring keep causing it to drop a valve. Now I'm to the point of putting a remanufactured engine in my 150. Since greater than 30 days has elapsed since I purchased the parts from Rock Auto they will no longer let me return them. This brings me to the purpose of the post is for the parts listed above all in brand new un opened boxes for $325.00 shipped to anywhere in the country. My cell phone number is 704-495-0591 please feel free to contact me as needed. Thanks in advance and I hope my troubles can help someone else out and I also can recuperate a few hundred bucks.
DORMAN
Camshaft Phaser / Variable Timing Sprocket
$ 117.79
CLOYES
Timing Set
$ 119.79
DORMAN
Camshaft Phaser / Variable Timing Sprocket
$ 117.79
FEL-PRO
Crankshaft Seal
$ 5.58
ENGINETECH
Valve Lifter
$ 6.03
FEL-PRO
Timing Cover Gasket Set
$ 39.79
FEL-PRO
Valve Cover Gasket
$ 48.79
I was planning on performing the cam phaser and timing chain replacement on my '04 F-150 once time allowed since it was making the dreaded tick. In the mean time the tranny went out in my '99 F-350 over the 4th of July therefore I wanted to wait until I got it back out of the shop before I started the repair so that I would have something to drive. While my 350 was in the shop my 150 dropped a cylinder which turned out to be a failed rocker arm that got into the valve spring keep causing it to drop a valve. Now I'm to the point of putting a remanufactured engine in my 150. Since greater than 30 days has elapsed since I purchased the parts from Rock Auto they will no longer let me return them. This brings me to the purpose of the post is for the parts listed above all in brand new un opened boxes for $325.00 shipped to anywhere in the country. My cell phone number is 704-495-0591 please feel free to contact me as needed. Thanks in advance and I hope my troubles can help someone else out and I also can recuperate a few hundred bucks.
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: n/a
Thanks again.
Had to drop off a motorcycle 260 miles away.
Drove to a Valvoline oil change service and had them change the oil (to ensure I had a full 7 quarts of new oil). Topped off all the fluids.
Hooked up my trailer and a project bike in the back. Drove nearly 600 miles round trip yesterday without issue. Took the back roads for the first 70 miles (55 mph) and got nearly 16 mpg (Never got more than 13 before). Of course, once I hit the main highways (75 mph) my mileage dropped to close to 12. But the truck ran well and no issues otherwise.
Yes, congrats to me.
If you're in the middle of this or are on the fence about it, keep the faith. It WILL pay off. One more THANK YOU to the generous members of this board.
Picture of the repair:
Drove to a Valvoline oil change service and had them change the oil (to ensure I had a full 7 quarts of new oil). Topped off all the fluids.
Hooked up my trailer and a project bike in the back. Drove nearly 600 miles round trip yesterday without issue. Took the back roads for the first 70 miles (55 mph) and got nearly 16 mpg (Never got more than 13 before). Of course, once I hit the main highways (75 mph) my mileage dropped to close to 12. But the truck ran well and no issues otherwise.
Yes, congrats to me.
If you're in the middle of this or are on the fence about it, keep the faith. It WILL pay off. One more THANK YOU to the generous members of this board.
Picture of the repair:
Last edited by Warden888; Aug 25, 2015 at 10:37 AM.