04 FX4 with 144k. this morning had the terrible idle with no cel but scanner showed the pending code. swapped out the newer vct solenoid for an older one I had laying around from when I changed them both a few yrs back for preventative work. Complete timing job 2 yrs ago with mostly MC parts but the timing stuff was cloyes. Mc phasers, rollers lash adjusters etc. new melling oil pump. The swap did nothing and I don't know where to go from here. I hate to have to tear into the timing again to look for a failed tensioner or something. I need to drive this truck everyday for work that I cannot miss. My questions are can I drive it without damaging it and where to I go from here to diagnose it. I did some searching but just don't know what to do. Thanks

 

From my experience with these Enigma of a motor. I wouldn't keep driving it that way or you will have more issues and end up rebuilding the whole motor or just replacing it with a re-manufactured motor. These 5.4L POS motors are very temperamental and rely off a million and one sensors to read the motor is running perfect. I love my truck but hate the motor. If it wasn't so dang hard I would swap it out with coyote motor or even retro fit a hellcat motor but I can't do that to my fellow ford brothers. So here i am trying to find the gremlins in my 2005 5.4L. I even rebuilt the entire motor with everything new from top end to bottom end. Frustrating as all hell.

Did you ever figure your issue out?

 

Tommy J,

I see your original post was 6-14-2020. What did you do to solve this issue? Please reply.

Thanks

 

I see this as an old post as well a few months back. That’s why I asked if he resolved it as well? Inquiring minds wanna know. I hope he replies then we been both can get an idea. I’m going to throw mine on my new scanner I bought which was $1100. Hopefully that will help me so I can help you on this post and get both us and answer Tommy J

 

yes, took off driver valve cover and saw plastic parts so stopped driving it. End result was blown tensioner, resulting in broken guides. Had to have a complete timing job done again in less than 2 years with the cloyes set. went with MC parts this time minus the phasers because they were ok and Motorcraft . Spent $2,000 parts and labor including dropping the oil pan and cleaning everything up

 

Complete timing job again in less than 2 years of doing it myself with cloyes. This time paid someone and went MC except my phasers which were MC from the first time. $2,000 parts and labor which included dropping the oil pan filled with junk

 

I hope you used old style steel tensioners that don't have a seal to blow out. A good flush before hand and disassembly of vct bodies would also been high on my list / I just found out there is a filter inside of them . Always trying to learn something . good luck to you .