Mxracer36

About a month ago I was driving down the road and trucked just died on me. I had the typical cam pharr codes, truck knocked like a diesel at low rpm and when backing up, would even stall out. From what my companies mechanic told me the timing chain broke and I might as well do the while timing job. I've been researching for weeks and have been told by a number of shops that it won't be worth fixing and it will just happen again in a few months. I have also been told that if I lock the phasers out with a tune and put rotella 15w40 in it I will be good to go for quite a while. I knows there hundreds of discussions about this but before I sink the money into fixing it I'd like to hear some opinions from folks who have done it. I love the truck and have a lot of money in it, but I'm tempted to just scrap it and get something new. Thanks guys.

F150Torqued

I'm sorry, you're going to have to refresh my memory. Exactly what kind / model truck do you have? Hate to be an old fart about it and would like to help, but I'm practically three times your age and a little senile. How many miles was on that ole huppe?

Mxracer36

It's a 2005 f150 with the 5.4L. I have about 157,000 miles on it.

redfishtd

I did a timing job on mine at about the same point . If shes running your chains aren't broke . Your guides may be . You need to evaluate engine if you are going to do the work yourself Timing job parts done right run around $1400. But paying for labor is not good . At one point a reman makes sense but its a big jump to a 7k reman job with labor .
This is a doable job for the willing . Theres help on here to evaluate /doing timing job/reman advice .

Patrick Boehm

My experience with a 2004 F150. Lariat. I had the phasers replaced in 2011 at 73850 miles. They are still quiet. Current miles 128300. Most recent issue was cracked exhaust manifold passenger side making a good racket. That has been repaired. Had it to a dealer recently for the starting rattle that half of these engines seem to have. They pulled a valve cover and attempted to convince me to spend 8 K on a new engine. Camshaft holders scored a bit. I said no way! I like the drivability and the functionality of the pickup but it has been a challenge to stay faithful to the Ford after my 7 year experience with this one. I would suggest you have to obviously consider your financial state of affairs more so than should I fix this or buy that. I calculate it this way. You are spending X per month on a vehicle if you own a vehicle. Just a matter of how much X is every month. And how much X you have. I try to minimise X. For me in the case of this vehicle X is running at around 300 dollars per month. This includes purchase cost and any repairs that are not routine wear and tear. So if you plan to replace yours with a new one X is gonna be a lot more than 300 per month. If the body is decent I would drive it for a long time yet.

45Colt

Hate to say it but I wouldn't pay to fix it. Not yet anyway. Clean out the throttle body really well with brake cleaner. Remove the TB from the engine and clean it on your workbench.
The butterfly valve is probably caked with sticky black goo and hasn't been cleaned since, well... ever. Guessing your idle is around 500-600 RPM and bounces up and down before it stalls?
Clear the codes and drive it for 5 more years until it actually dies. Hopefully by then you've saved enough for a reman Jasper engine or possibly a newer truck.

Timing chain and guides, cam phasers, high flow oil pump, cam latches, sensors, plugs and wires and labor is probably gonna run you 4 grand or more at a well equipped shop.
Assuming the rest of your engine is in perfect shape. The newer phasers, oil pump and oil supply fittings are better design than original. They should last 100K+ easy. if you do it right should be the last time.
I looked into doing the same thing when my 04 5.4L XLT started clacking at idle when hot. I just live with the diesel sound at idle and ignore it. Doesn't burn oil or run rough.
IF and when it goes I'll most likely replace the motor with the updated design and warranty.

BareBonesXL

Are these not interference engines, as far as valve and piston? Just asking, don't know. Seems like valve damage will be part of the repair.

The post implies that it hasn't run again since it died on the road.

FordFrenzy06

The timing chain didn't break because the truck still runs.

dukedkt442

Mine knocked/rattled, when I took it apart, I found the passenger guide gone. Stil ran fine though, other than the noises. I then pulled the pan to fish out the rest of the guide, and discovered the oil pickup was 70% clogged with plastic. My '04 FX4 has 150k, and with the upgraded parts (cost me $2300 because I had to replace the PS pump and assorted lines, along with the timing cover, but I did the labor). My truck should go another 150k or more without issue. I oil has been changed since day one every 3k miles with motorcraft oil and filter; that's a large part of it. Just make sure you do EVERYTHING (including those blown out tensioners) or your phasers will again knock in short order. Phasers are the symptom, not the problem.

BadFish523

Had a full timing job done about a year ago. Cost me about 3K to have it done correctly. All OEM except for the Melling oil pump. Still runs great and quiet!