The Final Repair Guide to 5.4 Cam Phaser Tick/Knock Sound
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 77
Likes: 6
From: North of where you are
Day Two
Hi all..well it was really cold yesterday and I got as far as the drivers side valve cover. Power Steering bracket was a pain...today just trying to get the passenger valve cover bolts at the rear off was a pain...all the bolts were rusted and couldn't get a socket on them..tried to hammer a socket on but no room....finally after praying for Divine Intervention I got them out...I will get back at it tomorrow...have to get the passenger valve cover off and front timing cover off...change all the parts and bolt everything back up.
I have a question should I replace the VCT's now or can I do them at a later time...also If I order new ones do they come with new gaskets anyone know?....
A great big thank you to all who put in their opinions and especially s vares for starting this........Cheers everyone and thanks again....Spike24
I have a question should I replace the VCT's now or can I do them at a later time...also If I order new ones do they come with new gaskets anyone know?....
A great big thank you to all who put in their opinions and especially s vares for starting this........Cheers everyone and thanks again....Spike24
Expert member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 134
Likes: 62
From: Fountain valley ca
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 techaware 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 techaware 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
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 77
Likes: 6
From: North of where you are
Possible problem
Hi everyone it's me again...still doing this job and having a hard time getting at the power steering bolts. Everything is rusted to hell!!!....but more importantly I just examined my cam phasers( Dorman part #917-250) and both have the same part number and both are marked with a "R" along with a L shape with an arrow head on it. This is on the opposite side.
My question is, do I have one correct phaser and one incorrect or are the after market phasers from Dorman all marked the same? In other words can I use these?
Any response is appreciated...Thanks in advance ...Spike24
My question is, do I have one correct phaser and one incorrect or are the after market phasers from Dorman all marked the same? In other words can I use these?
Any response is appreciated...Thanks in advance ...Spike24
Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 57
Likes: 10
From: Richmond BC
Hi everyone it's me again...still doing this job and having a hard time getting at the power steering bolts. Everything is rusted to hell!!!....but more importantly I just examined my cam phasers( Dorman part #917-250) and both have the same part number and both are marked with a "R" along with a L shape with an arrow head on it. This is on the opposite side.
My question is, do I have one correct phaser and one incorrect or are the after market phasers from Dorman all marked the same? In other words can I use these?
Any response is appreciated...Thanks in advance ...Spike24
My question is, do I have one correct phaser and one incorrect or are the after market phasers from Dorman all marked the same? In other words can I use these?
Any response is appreciated...Thanks in advance ...Spike24
yes that is the right part theses are all the parts I ordered
CLOYES 90391SB Chain set
DORMAN
917250
Camphasers (x2)
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 77
Likes: 6
From: North of where you are
Relieved!!!!!!!!
Hey thanks..talk about a sudden panic attack!...I'll be back at it tomorrow. Had to rent a power steering pulley puller to get at the bolts...wish me luck!!!
Thanks again...Spike24
Thanks again...Spike24
Ford Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 897
Likes: 19
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Originally Posted by Spike24
Hey thanks..talk about a sudden panic attack!...I'll be back at it tomorrow. Had to rent a power steering pulley puller to get at the bolts...wish me luck!!!
Thanks again...Spike24
Thanks again...Spike24
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 77
Likes: 6
From: North of where you are
My problem
Hey thanks Vert....my problem is both phasers have R on them.....If I remember correctly they can only go in one way..Right...aren't they keyed to be placed on the cams only one way?...I hope...any input is appreciated..thanks again all.....Spike24
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 106
Likes: 13
From: Katy, TX
It doens't make any sense why the chose to put on R on both, but they did. Yes they are keyed onto the camshafts but you still need to have the coloured links on the chain pointing at the right spot on the lower pulley and then the links should line up correctly on the toothed wheel on the phasers.......
There is a diagram buried in this thread somewhere.......
There is a diagram buried in this thread somewhere.......
Ford Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 897
Likes: 19
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Originally Posted by Spike24
Hey thanks Vert....my problem is both phasers have R on them.....If I remember correctly they can only go in one way..Right...aren't they keyed to be placed on the cams only one way?...I hope...any input is appreciated..thanks again all.....Spike24