Finally fixed my ticking 5.4 3v... cam phaser replacement...

[ka0tyk]

People online made it seem like this was an impossible job. "you will need ALL DAY"

Took me about 30 minutes to get everything out of the way and the valve cover off.

in order to keep the cam chain tight as you remove the cam phaser you need a "super handy modular cam chain locking tool" unfortunately every single one on ebay, etc is like $60-80 bucks. Soooo I made my own.

$99!!

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com...10-Mustang-GT-Rotunda-Timing-Chain-Wedge-Tool

mine. handle came from a paint can handle and the wedge is just a piece of wood.

all done:

no more ticking! those of you with a ford modular motor that ticks, the part itself is a little over $100. it took me about 2 hours to do one side.

 

[HALLETT BOY]

Better replace your spark plugs before they blow out !

 

[ka0tyk]

Better replace your spark plugs before they blow out !

actually the 3v doesnt have that problem. thats the older 2v 5.4's. The 3v's have an even more interesting problem where they use a super long plug and the shank of it rusts and gets stuck in the head. So they have an extraction tool when you break the spark plugs in half. Not to mention a set of new plugs runs about $100. But they're good for about 100k.

luckily when i did my plugs i shot pb blaster into the holes and let it sit overnight and then i ever so gently used an impact to pull em out... not one of em broke off in the head. woo.


broken plugs:

no doubt the 5.4 3v is one of the worst motors ford has ever made, and i had no clue when i bought my car. unfortunately the new navigator is stated to be getting that stupid eco boost engine, while the new expeditions will be getting the 5.0's, which are BEASTLY motors with a few mods.

 

[DirtyWhiteDog]

Same here
I did the same overnight on the sparkplugs with none breaking at 65K, but I used the old bar type torque wrench and never went over 60# without twisting it back down. :thumbup:
For the loud ass cam phaser I just switched to 15/40 Rotella and it went away after 2K miles and never came back, I'm at 100K now.
Thanks for the heads up, for when I do replace them.

 

[lakemadness]

We have an f-250 that is a company truck. It has the same issue. Almost sounds like a diesel, LOL. We need to get this done. Any idea on what a shop would charge? We had the plugs done at an independent shop when one of them went bad at about 120K miles. They fucked around with them for two or three days.

 

[cakemoto]

The lucas oil additive helped me with the tick...i use it every oil change now.went away also after few hundred miles.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

So the "cam phaser" varies the cam timing I'm guessing?

 

[Flyinbowtie]

So the "cam phaser" varies the cam timing I'm guessing?

Only when set to "Heavy Stun".

I have never seen a spark plug like that. No thanks.

 

[575cat]

I hope you didnt put operational phaser,s back in it , even tried customers Dorman so called updated phasers with it ticking a couple months later I put the lockouts in it now it runs stronger and quiet .

 

[DrHW]

Hmm. I posted when I was having ticking issues with our 5.4 Triton but received limited replies.

The Dealer said to replace the Cam Phasers for $2,500 and the local, trusted mechanic said to replace the Latch Adjusters for $1,000 or do not worry about it at all unless it becomes an issue. I was able to get $14K which was retail for our 2006 F150 and bought the Dodge Ram. Congrats to the mechanics that figured out the solutions to the 5.4 ticking issues.

 

[ka0tyk]

I hope you didnt put operational phaser,s back in it , even tried customers Dorman so called updated phasers with it ticking a couple months later I put the lockouts in it now it runs stronger and quiet .

i put a ford/lincoln oem phaser (the original one lasted 120k... if this lasts for half of that ill be happy, it'll be someone elses car by then, and ive done my part to put in a oem replacement into it.) and i didnt want to deal with having to run a tune in my otherwise stock car. running phaser lockouts without a tune is asking for trouble.

 

[575cat]

Added no tunes to the ones I have done and work perfect other than the ses light . even replaced the actuators with no good results . these were trucks with 70k to 150k on them .