The Final Repair Guide to 5.4 Cam Phaser Tick/Knock Sound
07-15-2019, 08:15 PM
#3631
LightningRod
You know, I got a bumper sticker saying I been' thinking bout' getin' printed --- "Every day of my life forces me to add to the list of people who can KISS MY A.$.$" -- but even I cant think of anybody who 'deserves' that one.
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LariatDude (07-15-2019)
07-15-2019, 10:30 PM
#3633
I think I have the infamous tick on my 2007 5.4. It started about two months ago and then I experienced a miss. The truck has 133k on it and it seems to run ok except for the occasional miss. I replaced the plugs at 60,000 so when this occurred I thought it might be a bad coil or plug. We were getting codes for cylinder 5 and 8. We replaced those coils but still had an issue. The AC compressor just went so I took it into a friends shop to have that fixed and asked him to check the plugs and replace the rest of the coils. After checking the plugs, he replaced them along with the coils but could not get rid of the tick or the misfire. After quite a bit of investigation, the problem seemed to correct itself. Well, I got it back yesterday and needed to drive about 10 miles down the interstate and it started again. It seems to do it sporadically and usually between 45 - 55 miles an hour under some load when its warmed up. Just wondering if this is another symptom of the need to do the kit. Any help will be most appreciated.
There have also been some that rubbed through on the main harness near where they plug into the control unit. So check the wires good.
07-16-2019, 06:36 AM
#3634
07-17-2019, 07:11 AM
#3635
07-17-2019, 06:44 PM
#3636
Does anyone have a ballpark figure on what it would cost to rebuild one of these engines yourself? Just curious how cost effective it would be to yank mine and rebuild it, or get one that's already been done. A Jasper engine is around $4500 (ouch)!
I've done plenty of engines before, but not one quite like the 5.4. It doesn't look to complicated other than <maybe> the timing parts? Everything else looks pretty straightforward.
And are there full rebuild kits like old-school engines, or do you have to piece a kit together? If so, what kits are good and bad?
My last engine rebuild was many years ago on my old-school 390 big-block. Not one computer part to be found on her... Ahhh the good 'ol days.
I have all the new parts for the phazer job, but I'm pushing 200k miles and she's getting real tired. I think it's time to do the full-meal-deal and rebuild it completely. Besides, I can't stand doing major work on an engine while it's still in the truck. I'm cursed with larger hands and a real short fuse when it comes to getting into those tight places!
This thread has been fantastic. I've been watching it for quite some time. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to it! Soon as I decide what to do with mine, I'll be adding lots of pictures and information as well.
Thanks,
I've done plenty of engines before, but not one quite like the 5.4. It doesn't look to complicated other than <maybe> the timing parts? Everything else looks pretty straightforward.
And are there full rebuild kits like old-school engines, or do you have to piece a kit together? If so, what kits are good and bad?
My last engine rebuild was many years ago on my old-school 390 big-block. Not one computer part to be found on her... Ahhh the good 'ol days.
I have all the new parts for the phazer job, but I'm pushing 200k miles and she's getting real tired. I think it's time to do the full-meal-deal and rebuild it completely. Besides, I can't stand doing major work on an engine while it's still in the truck. I'm cursed with larger hands and a real short fuse when it comes to getting into those tight places!
This thread has been fantastic. I've been watching it for quite some time. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to it! Soon as I decide what to do with mine, I'll be adding lots of pictures and information as well.
Thanks,
07-17-2019, 07:30 PM
#3637
Senior Member
Well, based off RockAuto (for 2006)...
$750-1000 for timing parts
$250-400 for rocker arms and lash adjusters
$200-400 for cams
$100-$150 for an oil pump (preferably Melling)
$50-100 for crank and journal bearings
$325 for 8 connecting rods
$225 for 8 pistons
$250 for a crankshaft
You would probably spend $2500-3000 in parts rebuilding an engine. A new long block is between $3000 and $5000 (OEM Ford is the most expensive)
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ong+block,5240
$750-1000 for timing parts
$250-400 for rocker arms and lash adjusters
$200-400 for cams
$100-$150 for an oil pump (preferably Melling)
$50-100 for crank and journal bearings
$325 for 8 connecting rods
$225 for 8 pistons
$250 for a crankshaft
You would probably spend $2500-3000 in parts rebuilding an engine. A new long block is between $3000 and $5000 (OEM Ford is the most expensive)
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ong+block,5240
07-20-2019, 01:19 AM
#3638
Renaissance Honky
Could probably trim that down, depending what is and isn't hurt. Rebuilt heads might be $300 each or something. rods probably don't need to be changed, pistons might not be hurt, same with cams.
Gaskets, bearings, and rings at a bare minimum can get the cost down quite a bit. I did the timing kit for $1,000 total including lashers and rockers. Start looking at prices on a rebuild kit, and scour eBay for some NOS (new old stock) fuel injectors.
Gaskets, bearings, and rings at a bare minimum can get the cost down quite a bit. I did the timing kit for $1,000 total including lashers and rockers. Start looking at prices on a rebuild kit, and scour eBay for some NOS (new old stock) fuel injectors.
07-20-2019, 05:23 PM
#3639
Ford parts only
Ever since hearing my first 5.4 Tick, I have been online looking for an answer.
The First truck I did, I changed the phasers (one of them had the spring "sprung") Noise went away for 2 months and came back, just not as loud.
Upon inspecting the phasers again, all looked okay, but I read about oiling problem, possible sludge, other issues.
Could the 5.4 just be this big of a pile of junk? NO! I didnt buy it. Why are some people getting 300,000 miles and others so few??
I noticed that the one chain had slack, when I removed the tensioner I saw the seal was questionable. Could this have been causing low oil pressure to the VCT system and a tick? Or was the new tick the chain not pumping up fully?
Well the chain set and tesioners fixed it. Its been almost a year and the truck runs great!
Reasons you get a 5.4 Tick
(other than normal injector noise)
-Bad Phasers
-Bad chains or guides
-Low oil pressure to phasers (most often the failing tesioners!!)
-Failing tesioners not putting proper tension on chain
-valve train problems (sticking lash adjuster, bad roller rocker, broken valve spring)
Now the good news, this can all be fixed during the same service!!
Don't just pull the valve covers, change phasers and hope the problem goes away.
Lets check all the possible trouble spots and fix your truck properly.
Please do not buy the "sludge is making your engine tick, you need a new one"
Look for sludge, if extreme sludge is present after removing the valve covers, it could be true, but many techs are telling customers this and IT IS NOT TRUE. Low oil pressure is often caused by these pesky tensioners, I have seen it more than once.
My next post will be a complete guide to repairing it, If you don't want to tackle it yourself, print this guide and show it to the tech working on your truck.
I know from being a mechanic, we don't like customers telling us whats wrong. Do yourself a solid, and make the tech aware of the problems.
Too many people are getting ripped off by a $1200.00 Phaser job that fixes nothing, or a simple "you need a new engine"
...Please wait I will upload photos and post the guide below this
The First truck I did, I changed the phasers (one of them had the spring "sprung") Noise went away for 2 months and came back, just not as loud.
Upon inspecting the phasers again, all looked okay, but I read about oiling problem, possible sludge, other issues.
Could the 5.4 just be this big of a pile of junk? NO! I didnt buy it. Why are some people getting 300,000 miles and others so few??
I noticed that the one chain had slack, when I removed the tensioner I saw the seal was questionable. Could this have been causing low oil pressure to the VCT system and a tick? Or was the new tick the chain not pumping up fully?
Well the chain set and tesioners fixed it. Its been almost a year and the truck runs great!
Reasons you get a 5.4 Tick
(other than normal injector noise)
-Bad Phasers
-Bad chains or guides
-Low oil pressure to phasers (most often the failing tesioners!!)
-Failing tesioners not putting proper tension on chain
-valve train problems (sticking lash adjuster, bad roller rocker, broken valve spring)
Now the good news, this can all be fixed during the same service!!
Don't just pull the valve covers, change phasers and hope the problem goes away.
Lets check all the possible trouble spots and fix your truck properly.
Please do not buy the "sludge is making your engine tick, you need a new one"
Look for sludge, if extreme sludge is present after removing the valve covers, it could be true, but many techs are telling customers this and IT IS NOT TRUE. Low oil pressure is often caused by these pesky tensioners, I have seen it more than once.
My next post will be a complete guide to repairing it, If you don't want to tackle it yourself, print this guide and show it to the tech working on your truck.
I know from being a mechanic, we don't like customers telling us whats wrong. Do yourself a solid, and make the tech aware of the problems.
Too many people are getting ripped off by a $1200.00 Phaser job that fixes nothing, or a simple "you need a new engine"
...Please wait I will upload photos and post the guide below this
Use ford parts after market stuff is sub standard use the steel adjusters follow fordtechmakeuloco his complete timing deal. I bought the new vcrs melling oil pump reflector wheelie positioning sensors and the iPhone graded lifters with the large galleys. Watch the video.
07-29-2019, 12:04 AM
#3640
My '04 has 225k and has the diesel sound. I know it's time to do it, but I had a few questions.
Is getting the Ford OEM kit absolutely neccessary? Could I save money by getting OEM phasers and an aftermarket chain kit without losing longevity and reliability?
When you realigned the chain, how difficult was it to correctly adjust it?
Thanks in advance,
Tommy
Is getting the Ford OEM kit absolutely neccessary? Could I save money by getting OEM phasers and an aftermarket chain kit without losing longevity and reliability?
When you realigned the chain, how difficult was it to correctly adjust it?
Thanks in advance,
Tommy