01-22-2015, 03:49 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
Issue: Is your F-150’s engine idling loudly?
The eight cylinder engines are notorious for this due to the cam phasers. For the unaware, cam phasers are responsible for adjusting the camshaft position to improve fuel injection into the cylinders, which leads to better fuel efficiency when idling and the ability to draw power from the engine more quickly. However, after anywhere from 60,000-100,000 miles, they also cause rough, loud idling due to wear and tear.
While the cause can typically be linked to the cam phasers, solutions to the problem vary widely. Some of the top recommendations include:
Read the full thread to find out which of these solutions is best for your truck.
The eight cylinder engines are notorious for this due to the cam phasers. For the unaware, cam phasers are responsible for adjusting the camshaft position to improve fuel injection into the cylinders, which leads to better fuel efficiency when idling and the ability to draw power from the engine more quickly. However, after anywhere from 60,000-100,000 miles, they also cause rough, loud idling due to wear and tear.
While the cause can typically be linked to the cam phasers, solutions to the problem vary widely. Some of the top recommendations include:
- While the noise is annoying, the cam phaser itself isn’t actually breaking. If you can live with it, your F-150 will be fine.
- If the truck is under warranty, bring it to the dealership.
- It’s possible they may need to either replace the cam phasers, or even the cam phasers and camshaft as well.
- Install a coil spring behind each cam phaser to reduce the rattle as it moves.
- Swap the cam phasers from a larger engine so that it sits more tightly, reducing the rattle.
Read the full thread to find out which of these solutions is best for your truck.
5.4L cam phasers.. What goes bad?
06-16-2010, 06:33 PM
#21
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I have the cam phaser noise and the ratteling noise that you are talking about. Like you said.. it makes the noise between 1,000-1,500 rpm. I hear it all the time when backing up to hook up my trailer and it sounds like sh*t. Any ideas on what is causing the noise, where its coming from, and how to fix?
10-11-2010, 09:29 PM
#24
Anheuser-Busch
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From what I have read on other forums and some "preaching" from a local mechanic. There is no need to change em. Of course make sure you change motor oil when it is needed and make sure you put enough of it. My truck has been doing that since 2008 and i ve been drivin her like that since. I havent had any problems regarding the phasers. Keep in mind I don't really push my truck to its limits or its rare when I do WOT, and if I do its on dirt road. Just try to get used to the noise.
10-12-2010, 03:01 PM
#25
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I just changed mine today waiting for manifold to come in before reinstalling everythingthen i will see if there is any changes. But Itell you if you are going to replace the phaser might as well replace the manifold since you have more room. Oh i just did the passenger side since it seemed like the noise was coming from there. I really cant tell if the old phaser was bad from looking at it but the new one had an extra pin holding that spring thing.
10-12-2010, 03:05 PM
#26
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I fixed mine cause if its not suppose to sound like that then its not right, 
but that is just me. I have seen so many F150s rolling around and i hear nothing from their engines hopefully i have fixed the problem I will update when I am done.
but that is just me. I have seen so many F150s rolling around and i hear nothing from their engines hopefully i have fixed the problem I will update when I am done.
10-12-2010, 03:40 PM
#27
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Here are some pics of my old phaser and new phaser, if you look at the new phaser on the right side where the spring is at there is a pin holding it in place un like the old phaser, maybe the new redesign or mine broke off.
03-11-2011, 04:02 PM
#30
Dirty Rotten Scoundrel
Some people are asking what's the big deal about bad cam phasers...
Mine went bad awhile ago and my mileage dropped from 14-15mpg all the way down to 5-6 mpg in a month's time.
I still had warranty coverage so I took it in for $1,600 worth of free repairs. They found several badly worn rocker arms and wear on the timing chain cover due to the f'd up phasers. I imagine continued damage to those parts could cause catastrophic damage to the engine. The damage to my budget that 5-6 mpg caused wasn't minor either.
She ran smooth as silk after repairs for a few months with normal fuel economy (13-15mpg), then the knocking returned and mileage dropped slightly.
I'm bringing er back in to a different dealership next week for another round before the warranty expires (sooo glad I sprung for the ESP
).
I'd absolutely love this truck if it wasn't for the cam phaser issue and the negligent spark plug design.
Mine went bad awhile ago and my mileage dropped from 14-15mpg all the way down to 5-6 mpg in a month's time.
I still had warranty coverage so I took it in for $1,600 worth of free repairs. They found several badly worn rocker arms and wear on the timing chain cover due to the f'd up phasers. I imagine continued damage to those parts could cause catastrophic damage to the engine. The damage to my budget that 5-6 mpg caused wasn't minor either.
She ran smooth as silk after repairs for a few months with normal fuel economy (13-15mpg), then the knocking returned and mileage dropped slightly.
I'm bringing er back in to a different dealership next week for another round before the warranty expires (sooo glad I sprung for the ESP
).I'd absolutely love this truck if it wasn't for the cam phaser issue and the negligent spark plug design.