Originally Posted by NEPA11 (Post 2343053)

Welcome to the forum. I have gone through the cam phaserissue first-hand. I had to replace my entire engine ($7000 dollar job). I talked to the service manager many times and got more information about this topic than I ever would have imagined. He told me the best way to prevent thisissue is to run motorcraft 5w-20 and change it every 3000 to 5000 miles. Nomore, no less. (I believe this guy, he's worked on almost every truck ford has ever made.) He believes the issue stems from people waiting to long for oil changes, and switching between different brands of oil. Like motorcraft,pennzoil to mobil. Motorcraft is great oil and is pretty cheap.
My uncle alsoworks as a diesel mechanic for my states department of transportation and has been a die-hard FORD enthusiast his whole life. He also believes the problem stems from mix-matched oils and delayed oil changes. If the previous owner bought the truck new and ran that oil from the time he bought it, I would stick with that oil for the life of the truck. If he only had it for a semi-short duration of time, I would go back to motorcraft 5w-20. Possibly consider using a top-shelf additive such as BG MOAevery oil change.

Also the VCT swap is a very good idea. I would do that as soon as you have the extra time and money. Also consider going over the whole truck. Spark Plugs, Coils, Check the FPDM above the spare tires, Check the air filter and replace the foam filter on the box, change the differential oil, clean the throttle body and the MAF, and change the fuel filter if any of the above is not done. It will last you a long time!



Congrats on the new truck man, it looks great. As far as mods, I would get a custom tune as especial86 said. Best purchase I have made.

Originally Posted by allinon72 (Post 2344501)

Sorry but the root of a problem is a bad design. Period. There are hundreds of accounts of owners religiously changing oil every 3k with Motorcraft and still having problems.

Originally Posted by Synyster06Gates (Post 2343248)

Yeah, he's been using full synthetic 5w-20 the whole time he's had it, since 05. I considered going to 5w-30 synthetic. He changed front and rear diff fluid less than 4 months ago, changed fuel filter and air filter at the same time.

Spark plugs are what scare me on this truck.