Hello. Got a 2010 F150 4x4 with the 5.4 in it. It's a work truck and has hauled a trailer almost daily since it was bough new in 2010.

In 2013 it was giving the common phaser tick. Dealer fixed it. Replacing the phasers, solinoids and chain guides.

Now after at least another 100000km it started to run funny and was throwing a bunch of codes.

Mechanic said the codes were for the cams being out of sink. And that the most likely cause was the timing chain being stretched.

I'm gonna be doing the labour myself this time cuz he quoted over ten hours to replace the chain.

Question is how do I check the condition of the phasers while I'm in there? Or should I just replace them and the solinoids and all the guides and sprockets as well?


Also anyone got a tourqe spec guide? I have one for a Dohc 5.4 but not the sohc.

 

If I was doing it I would replace all of the components. It's a big job getting to the timing set, so it only makes sense to replace everything while you're in there.

The job isn't too difficult, just time consuming. Do your research if you've never had a modular engine apart.

Have you considered a phaser lock out kit to eliminate any future failures with that? I know some guys on here are hard core "keep it stock" people, but that has been a proven solution that has the kinks worked out of it. I can't offer any advice on what to choose if you decided to go that route.

 

Locking out the phasers compromises both performance and gas mileage.

 

Well I got home last night and had a look at the truck this am.

When I talked to my mechanic he said it was okay once it warmed up but was throwing codes when it was started cold. He thought mabey the timing chain was stretched.

This morning when I started it it was fine no check engine light bit noisy in the valve train. Took it for a drive and it runs fine although not what it used To be power wise.
It does smoke when you get on it.

Motor has almost 270 000 kms. On it.

Give it a once over. The oil pan is rusted fairly bad but not leaking yet. Looks like the rear main seal is leaking. As well as other various gaskets and seals.

Not a surprise with the kms.

So checked the oil and it was low. About a quart down. (Just changed about a month ago) seemed really light weight. Almost like water. No foam just really thin oil.

So I when to crappy tire. Got some heavier weight oil a can of Lucas and a new filter. Changed the oil and it seems to run fine. No more vailvetrain noise. No engine light. Ect ect.

So I'm thinking when they did the oil change they used the wrong oil? Or due to it being low it was low on oil pressure and not fully charging the tensioners?

Gonna see what happens this week when it gets some work with the trailer.

 

How is your truck doing

 

It's been running fine.
I talked to the local Ford dealer and they confirmed that with 250000 plus km. It needs a thicker oil

As well as making sure it warms up when it's started to ensure the tensioners pressure up.

Been doing this and it seems to be running fine.

Even thoughts been running fine we took the jump and pick up a 2017 F150 on Saturday.
XLT with the sport package and 302a package. In lightning blue.

 

Good deal enjoy your new truck