atc250r

I’ve owned my 07 Screw Lariat 5.4 since brand new. I have only 75,000 miles on it. I do my own basic maintence, using Amsoil 0W-20 full synthetic oil and either Amsoil or Wix filters. I replaced the spark plugs 6 months ago for the first time. The truck runs mint, and has never given me any issue. But I’m reading a lot about cam phasers and I’m wondering if I can do anything to PREVENT the problem from ever showing up? Should I switch to 0W-30 oil? The truck never tows or works hard, infact my girl usually just drives it to and from work. Is there anythin*oreventative I can do to avoid that dreaded problem in the future?

4x4Fun

If you watch FordTechMakuloco, he says use 5w30 and you won't have a problem. I have over 200,000 and I have had 2 phasers jobs done. First was when I purchased it from a stealership. I had that as part of the deal. I could hear they were bad. The second time was about 30,000 miles later. Turns out the stealership did not like having to eat the cost (they wanted to do some insurance fraud and I would not let that happen) so they did not do a full job. I had to eat the $30 part, the rest was under the Ford warranty. I switched to 5w30 about 3 years ago. I am not sure if I will need to do them again or not.

In other countries, Ford recommends 5w30 and they don't have the issue with the phasers we do.

The only sure fire way to avoid the phaser issue is to get a truck without the 5.4 3v.

nrivera04

There’s not really any way to prevent it so to say. The best thing you can do though is keep regular service intervals. Most will say in the 5K range... With the Amsoil, I’d feel confident going 10K. Continue using a quality filter also. Wix makes a good filter, sold them for many years.

BadFish523

The best thing you can do was already stated, use good oil (I'm a 5w20 guy) and a good filter, and do regular oil changes. Other than that it is really just a failure in the parts and there is nothing you can do about that other than replace them with new updated parts.

SCORGE

I honestly think it's the luck of the draw here. Regular maintenance obviously plays a huge role. I'm at 215k and all original.
That being said, I just booked a flight to California as I need to find a large piece of wood to knock on.

BadFish523

SCORGE I got a big piece of woo..... nevermind. I do also think some of it is luck of the draw.

redfishtd

Good oil changes no extended oil intervals . Use full synthetic use the mc filter from wally world .Carbon from combustion is the enemy of this hydraulic control circuit of the cams,Even holy oil is going to get dirty.I find marvel m. oil 1 quart per crankcase is a good slow cleaner

Chains are going to stretch ,lashs are going to start to stick, rollers are going to wear. Rollers oil spout has been redesigned, lashs have been improved . You can use the old metal tensioners that don't have a seal to blow out and don't lose pressure every time the engine shuts down or oil pressure drops .

Luck has something to do with it but to get 200k without trouble is asking a lot from a engine that the accountants called the shots on .No real fix for plastic guides that break, still no good replacements for those. I believe I can get to 300k since I did the timing job anything after that would be gravy.If you are in real cold country the oil tends to sludge up worse going from 200 degrees to 10 every day is tough for oil ,don't fail to change it and maybe going to 0w -30 or so .
Everybody blames the phasors but if you just change them none of the other stuff is going away . Its good to change VCTs and injectors if you are over 100k but its your bet .

650NutKase

You're doing a good job already. Keep the oil clean and the filters fresh. Luck of the draw is for sure a factor. I'm at 127k on the originals going well. I use any 5w30 SN oil (conventional or syn) that I find on sale and an mc820s usually. I keep my intervals to 5k regardless of oil type.

SCORGE

I've got plenty of twigs in my front yard. Thanks though

Arizona Tumbleweed

Do you think it's benificial to change the VCT's only? Thought about doing it as preventive maintenance.