The Final Repair Guide to 5.4 Cam Phaser Tick/Knock Sound
02-12-2016, 07:06 AM
#2581
Camping enthusiast
Thanks TOPGLOCK. That's exactly what I wanted to hear. I have an '05. It also had only one bolt attaching it to the valve cover, but since there was a second threaded hole, I figured the previous owner had removed it for some reason.
How did you get the bracket holding the tube from the pump off the bottom right stud? I Was able to get it halfway off the stud just by moderately pulling on it, but didn't want to take a chance on snapping anything by forcing it too far.
How did you get the bracket holding the tube from the pump off the bottom right stud? I Was able to get it halfway off the stud just by moderately pulling on it, but didn't want to take a chance on snapping anything by forcing it too far.
02-12-2016, 02:26 PM
#2583
Camping enthusiast
I removed the one screw holding that line just in front of the harmonic balancer in the cross member. With that removed it gives you a little more wiggle room to slide the bracket off the stud.
02-12-2016, 04:54 PM
#2584
Keep us updated
02-13-2016, 12:50 PM
#2586
Valve spring compressor tool
I Wil only be changing the phasers on mine, not the complete timing chain stuff.
I was taking a look at the instructions and it seems that I need a valve spring compressor tool that is not cheap.
I also saw the guy in the video posted earlier on in this thread use a screwdriver instead.
Do you think that the screw driver method is fine?
Just don want to spend 180 on a one time use tool...
I was taking a look at the instructions and it seems that I need a valve spring compressor tool that is not cheap.
I also saw the guy in the video posted earlier on in this thread use a screwdriver instead.
Do you think that the screw driver method is fine?
Just don want to spend 180 on a one time use tool...
Last edited by energumeno; 02-13-2016 at 02:53 PM.
02-14-2016, 07:31 AM
#2587
Camping enthusiast
I Wil only be changing the phasers on mine, not the complete timing chain stuff.
I was taking a look at the instructions and it seems that I need a valve spring compressor tool that is not cheap.
I also saw the guy in the video posted earlier on in this thread use a screwdriver instead.
Do you think that the screw driver method is fine?
Just don want to spend 180 on a one time use tool...
I was taking a look at the instructions and it seems that I need a valve spring compressor tool that is not cheap.
I also saw the guy in the video posted earlier on in this thread use a screwdriver instead.
Do you think that the screw driver method is fine?
Just don want to spend 180 on a one time use tool...
02-14-2016, 11:55 AM
#2588
So I just picked up my truck from my mechanic after having the work done (phasers, VCT’s, timing chain, new oil pump, tensioners, tensioner arms, spark plugs, etc.) and it’s running great. The only issue left now is that the exhaust manifold has a crack in it, so he’s having a parts guy try to find him a used manifold to slap on there. Now that the phasers are quiet, you can hear the leak quite clearly. So strange things he found. He said the spark plugs I gave him (SP-515) were not the right kind and got other motorcraft ones to put in. I swear the model number on the ones he took out were PZH24F, but maybe I was crazy. The ones I gave him were PZH14F. But he also said they came out super easy and no issues with them breaking. The VCT were shot (no surprise considering that was my main issue.) The Tensioners were not working that great (super stiff in a strange way), which might be the reason that the tensioner arms had a ton of wear on the guides. He replaced the fan belt because it was very brittle (which was a good catch.) The truck only had about 2 1/2 quarts of oil in it for some reason. We both agreed that it it’s not burning oil and doesn’t appear to be leaking anywhere, so not sure how it lost 3+ quarts of oil in the past year. It was really black, but that’s not shocking since the oil was so low. It took him forever to get everything stripped off to be able to replace the parts, so I am glad I didn’t try and do it myself. He did say the valves were looking great. Almost no varnish (thank you ethanol free gas and seafoam for the past two years.) and that the engine is really now in great shape. So for under $2500 I have a truck that’s running great and I am not out $8100 for a new engine. So right now pretty happy.
02-16-2016, 01:55 AM
#2589
Finally got it all buttoned up today and it runs like new! Scared myself a bit as when I got the engine back together and started it up it was chugging and running real rough. The passenger cam slipped about a quarter turn when I took the chain off, so I was hoping I didn't do any damage from that. Didn't work on it yesterday (something about spending valentines with my gf 
). Got back to it today and found out is was just a loose plug on the #4 coil. Just goes to show it's easy to look over the little things on a project like this.
Thanks again for the help TOPGLOCK. As well as everyone else on this thread. Thanks to the info here, I was able to save a good chunk of change and learn a bit more about my truck in the process.
). Got back to it today and found out is was just a loose plug on the #4 coil. Just goes to show it's easy to look over the little things on a project like this. Thanks again for the help TOPGLOCK. As well as everyone else on this thread. Thanks to the info here, I was able to save a good chunk of change and learn a bit more about my truck in the process.
02-16-2016, 09:29 AM
#2590
Member
just wanted to share my cam phaser repair experience/final results with everyone. I know it will end up making me look bad but it may help someone else from making the same mistake. 
I posted this in "What did you do to your truck today" also.
OK, so the results are in, and my truck is running awesome !! And tick free ! I previously replaced timing chains, tensioner's, guides, solenoids, and installed the Livernois cam phaser lock out kit. With nothing getting better. I finally broke down and brought it to the dealership today. They ran a few tests and found nothing, they did a smoke test on the exhaust and that turned out negative, the manifolds are good. So the tech started taking things apart and getting ready to remove the passenger side valve cover, and when he took off the #1 coil it popped off and got carbon on his sleeve, (Now this is the embarrassing part for me, and I am manning up and sharing it so someone else doesn't make the same mistake) so he checked the spark plug and it was only being held in by the last thread! So he put everything back together, tightened all plugs, valve cover bolts, and reinstalled the coils. Started it up, and presto chango, its all good!! Runs like a top, no noise!! God I feel like an idiot!!! I changed the plugs 20,000 miles ago and torqued all of them. I guess the anti seize works too well!! so checking the plugs every now and then would have saved me from this problem !!
I posted this in "What did you do to your truck today" also.
OK, so the results are in, and my truck is running awesome !! And tick free ! I previously replaced timing chains, tensioner's, guides, solenoids, and installed the Livernois cam phaser lock out kit. With nothing getting better. I finally broke down and brought it to the dealership today. They ran a few tests and found nothing, they did a smoke test on the exhaust and that turned out negative, the manifolds are good. So the tech started taking things apart and getting ready to remove the passenger side valve cover, and when he took off the #1 coil it popped off and got carbon on his sleeve, (Now this is the embarrassing part for me, and I am manning up and sharing it so someone else doesn't make the same mistake) so he checked the spark plug and it was only being held in by the last thread! So he put everything back together, tightened all plugs, valve cover bolts, and reinstalled the coils. Started it up, and presto chango, its all good!! Runs like a top, no noise!! God I feel like an idiot!!! I changed the plugs 20,000 miles ago and torqued all of them. I guess the anti seize works too well!! so checking the plugs every now and then would have saved me from this problem !!
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dsa (02-16-2016)