So after my 08' 5.4 is warmed up. It has a tap upon hitting the throttle. Weather it is a fast or slow acceleration. I bench tested all coil packs, and checked the boots to be sure of no cracking. I then proceeded to unplug the vct's. Started the truck and noise is gone. Plug them back in and noise is there. I know it is not a hard job replacing them, just time consuming. Parts are gonna run me $80-$100. I have the powertrain warranty with $100 deductible. Does anyone know if the warranty will cover this? It is worth it if it does just because it is a pia to do.

 

i cant answer your question on the warrenty but the VCT selonioid isnt the most difficult thing to do, I did mine 2 weeks ago.
you tube has an excellent vidoeo on it
tactical patience is required as well as T27 bits. watch the videos-

this one was the most instructive to me

 

if his motor build date is 10/09/07 or later, this will not help him... gotta pull value cover.

 

Yeah, mine is not the easy one to do. Valve covers have to be removed on mine.

 

i have an 04 so i speculate there was a subtle change in 06

 

The change was after the engine build date i mentioned above.

 

Mine is for sure the harder one to change. Engine build date is 03/04/08. I knew I could not get lucky on this.

 

But in the grand scheme of things new VCTs will be easier than new timing set. Give a good opportunity to check for condition of cams, followers, sludge. Unlike the '04s, I don't think you need to dump the AC, so while pulling the valve covers is a hassle, it's not TOO much of a hassle.

However, if the VCTs are plugged... I'd be expecting to find varnish and sludge elsewhere, and then open up a can of worms.

 

Yeah sludge is a whole other thing I did not want to do. Maybe I should just drive it till timing chain, or engine fails altogether. Then have ford rebuild or replace everything.

 

Update. I took it to the dealership. They called back and said it was my cam phasers. But ford powertrain warranty will not cover it till it gets a cel. Or gets to the point of not driveable. So I guess I am driving it till cel comes on.