Rough idle, very rattly sounding when it happens, and I get a P0012 code. Revving it a little bit will make it go away. I replaced the passenger side VCT solenoid with no change. Next step is the cam phaser? What else could be causing the problem? This is in an '04 5.4L SCrew.

 

Recent oil change? I read a thread where the oil change shop bent the cam phaser trigger wheel, when doing an oil change. Something about leaving the fill tube in, while trying to start the truck.

 

Having similar issues here also. I have had a p0011 before. I have been to Ford but they say low oil pressure but I can't confirm that. All of my oil pressure checks are within spec. Although there could be oiling problems in the head. My symptoms include hard starting, pinging, low power, lower mileage, slight rough idle. I know that my cams advance at idle sometimes and seem slow to react to rpm changes. Ford confirmed that. I have come to the conclusion that the phasers are bad, I am hoping that's all that is bad. I am going to replace mine this weekend. I will definitely let you know how it turns out.
Kev

 

Nope, it started randomly one day, about 2000 miles after I got the truck. I did an oil change after that to make sure it wasn't a problem with old/dirty oil and no luck.

 

Cam chain tensioner was broken on the passenger side, going to be quite pricey!

 

Just an update, got the truck back today and it runs great. Phasers were shot. They also changed the spark plugs as well, they were quite dirty and needed replaced.

 

What did that cost you??

 

Total cost was $3100. Includes diagnostic, oil change, 8 plugs, 2 phasers, 2 chains, tensioners, and I went ahead and had them replace the cam sensors as well. This wasn't at the dealer

Dealer quote for just the chain and phasers was $2900, not including diagnostic and anything else. Same work at this shop was $1900 of the bill.

 

Had same problem with 2004 f150 5.4 8cyl
had multiple misfire and cyl 1,2,4 misfire then had p0012 cam shaft position over retarded bank 1 ,
, i replaced all sparkplugs 110$and cleaned massairflow senzor changed cam senzor bank 1 had same problem then i read its probably phasers damaged i unplugs both vct selenoids it was little better but still was shaking and bad idle so i changed both vct selenoids $125 old ones looked really bad and i changed oil 5w 20 50$ and oil filter after i did that truck runs great passed 40 miles allready no checkengine light or bad ide so i would suggest changing vct selenoid and oilchange before you spend allot money hope it helps someone

 

Good suggestion, I tried the same on mine before taking it in with no luck.