Why does my gas truck sound like a diesel
SSDD
Joined: Feb 2016
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Hard to say. I'd like to say that a reman is better than a new truck payment, but that's entirely your decision to make. So long as everything such as the trans has been maintained, you should be fine
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
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From: Philadelphia Reigon, PA
Just purchased my 2004 F150 with the 5.4, at cold idle it runs like any other V8. Hot idle is a different story, it ticks like a 12v cummins.
From what I have understood from multiple mechanics this is considered normal wear and not a failure until it starts misfiring and losing timing.
From what I have understood from multiple mechanics this is considered normal wear and not a failure until it starts misfiring and losing timing.
SSDD
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 17,606
Likes: 1,619
Just purchased my 2004 F150 with the 5.4, at cold idle it runs like any other V8. Hot idle is a different story, it ticks like a 12v cummins.
From what I have understood from multiple mechanics this is considered normal wear and not a failure until it starts misfiring and losing timing.
From what I have understood from multiple mechanics this is considered normal wear and not a failure until it starts misfiring and losing timing.
5 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2018
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Sounds like whoever did the work did an incomplete timing job. Dealers are hit or miss on this kind of work for a variety of reasons. Some will do an honest job and others won’t. If in good shape it can be worth it to do a timing job. The 5.4L V8 is a great engine, but the timing set can be a weak spot esp with lack of maintenance. When you have it opened up you want the entire timing set replaced (Camphasers, chains, guides, tensioners, oil pump, oil pan drop (if required), along with inspection of heads. With good maintenance they go a long haul. Cast iron block, forged internals, cross bolted mains, really is a strong engine but as with any there are known issues.
Some of these engines just click and tick with age. Sometimes it’s normal wear, sometimes it’s excessive and starts missing and throwing codes.
Some of these engines just click and tick with age. Sometimes it’s normal wear, sometimes it’s excessive and starts missing and throwing codes.
Last edited by ModularFord; Nov 27, 2018 at 04:36 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 28
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From: Philadelphia Reigon, PA
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2018
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He said he did all of it. He called it a kit but I asked him today and he meant tensioners and everything, was just putting it in dumb terms. He didn’t however do a manual oil pressure test before starting so maybe it was all for nothing. They were after market. It isn’t a normal wear and tear tick, before I got the vvts and plugs it was definitely misfiring. It isn’t throwing any code right now but sounds like the first time the phasers went, except louder. The transmission has been taken care of but that’s not to say it won’t fail as well. My old pathfinder started slipping and left me stranded and that’s the only reason I made a rash decision and got the ford because it was the cheapest option on the lot at the time. I am at my wits end with it though, and will just see what the dealership says. May be cheaper to put a new engine in than buy new in the long run, but short term I don’t have the cash to put much more right now than the 5 grand I did already this year. Especially if that 5 grand was pointless and I do in fact have oil pressure issues.
5 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2018
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Aftermarket parts tells us some of the story, they generally aren’t as good quality. Aftermarket phasers have been known to come apart in as little as an hour of run time. It’s key to use Ford Camphasers. If it’s just an aftermarket phaser failure it may be repairable. You need someone with a a dealer level scan tool to watch it’s operation at this point to diagnose.
Last edited by ModularFord; Nov 27, 2018 at 09:14 PM.
SSDD
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 17,606
Likes: 1,619
Aftermarket parts tells us some of the story, they generally aren’t as good quality. Aftermarket phasers have been known to come apart in as little as an hour of run time. It’s key to use Ford Camphasers. If it’s just an aftermarket phaser failure it may be repairable. You need someone with a a dealer level scan tool to watch it’s operation at this point to diagnose.