Discussions

Looking for information experiences and references regarding the Ford Cam Phasers in the 5.4 engine F150 has anyone had them done, what kind of cost are we looking at (ballpark)  
Did you have just the Phasers replaced or did you do the lock outs? and can you recommend a shop or experienced mechanic that does them in westman area just gathering information and insight from people who have had this repair done. Thank you in advance

Google the subject. Lots of good information out there.

I had a 05' 5.4 with 173k on it, great truck then garage mentioned Cam Phasers, and a whole other list of parts, traded it off after 15 months of owning it...

I have done them on my 08 expedition. are you looking to try tackle this on your own? I did it in my garage with normal hand tools, but does take some time. all in all it cost me around 12-1400 bucks in parts if I remember right. I used factory ford phasers, did not do the lock outs, and used a couple of upgraded parts while I was there. I also had to replace a drivers side cam, and all lifters and rockers in that price. the vehicle was so quiet after I was done!

Try using heavier weight oil to correct the problem first. If it calls for 5w20 then go to 5w30. Sometimes I have found that works as when the oil gets hot, it gets more viscous and runs to quickly back down into the pan. The thicker oil will stick around and prevent problems.  
 
You can also try oil treatment made by stp. You can get it at c-tire. It’s really sticky and thick so heat it up a bit to make it pour easier into the motor.

How do you know it is a phaser? Is it the ticking you have been hearing? Someone said I needed to have my cam phasers done but instead it was a blown manifold gasket and warped manifold.

forgot to mention, I took it to a shop to get a quote on the job, and was quoted 2500-3000 to do it. that would have been for a new set of phasers, and all timing chain components. at the time I took it in, it was not known about the cam and rocker issues I found. so those parts and labour would have been added to that first quote.

Go see them, they are now in old joes auto clinic building. They are really honest shop. I would not replace them, block them and add proper tune. New ones will fail also. Think you lose a little low end grunt, but not big deal.

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After everything is all said and done, please come back and give the end of the story. I hear more fables than actual reality about phasers.

The main problem that causes phaser failure on 5.4’s is the timing chain tensioner. There is a seal on the backside of them that blows out causing oil pressure loss to the valve train and obviously phasers. Make sure the tensioners get replaced as well as the phasers, and running a bit heavier oil helps out too.

thanks for your input when I come to decision or solution I will for sure post back  
 
- Goodtimes56 - yes thanks the garage suggested that I  
Try using heavier weight oil to correct the problem first. If it calls for 5w20 then go to 5w30.  
 
- Fishin_Guy Q- How do you know it is a phaser? A -They smoked the exhaust to check for exhaust manifold or leak. with the engine off they force smoke backwards up the exhaust and look for leaks they also did other diagnosing and on my own research it was pointing to phasers so was not a surprise to hear the diagnosis  
 
- Vertstang - Thanks for the referral will check them out  
 
- 666superbob - thank you for this info The main problem that causes phaser failure on 5.4’s is the timing chain tensioner. There is a seal on the backside of them that blows out causing oil pressure loss to the valve train and obviously phasers. Make sure the tensioners get replaced as well as the phasers, and running a bit heavier oil helps out too.