2007 F150 5.4 advice

Danger_Ranger

Danger_Ranger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2008
Location
Star NC
My cousins 2007 F150 with the 5.4 engine is starting to make a terrible rattling noise when he cranks it up. It has 251,000 on it. We've talked to two different mechanics and both said it's probably the timing chain tensioners. Rebuild it with new parts or just get a new engine put in? He doesn't want to get a new truck. Any reputable shops near by? Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks.

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We dropped an oreilys 5.4 3v engine in our 04 f150 work truck. Its now for sale with bad cam phasers, after around 100k miles. It cost around 5k to buy the engine and 8 new factory coils and plugs and the few sensord under the intake, and took me 3 terrible days to get it done. I would recommend having a shop do the timing set and cam phasers or sell. We were qouted around 1800 I think but decided we weren't spending another penny on it.
 
I have watched several videos on the 5.4l, a few rebuilders say they won't even offer rebuild service on them anymore. Most mechanics agree, once oil passages for the phasers are sludged up, the only solution is a new engine. Probably why I see the Fords going for a few grand less than a comparable GM/Dodge offering.
 
Yea I'm thinking a new engine is the way to go. I'm not sure if the Jasper engines have the upgraded oil pump or not, but I don't see why they wouldn't.

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Check oil pressure first. With a real gauge. If it can't hold at least 25 to 30 lbs oil pressure for 30 minutes hot idling put a motor in it. If it holds pressure you should be ok to just go with phasers, chains and tensioners.
 
From my research into this topic (I have a 2010 5.4 F250), the rattle sound at start up can come from the cam phasers lacking initial oil pressure. The pins that lock the phasers (or sore something like that) are worn out from lack of oil over its life, so they rattle a bit until the oil is sufficient. I bet if you went through a drive-thru you can hear it knock at idle and goes away with rpms. I did new phasers, timing kit, and Melling oil pump and 5W30 oil every 5-6k miles almost a year ago now. Problem solved and power restored. Zero issues to date. Also the belt tensioners are oil driven and the stock ones blow out the seals, new motorcraft ones fix that problem. So if its a tensioner guide knocking around, thats probably why.

I would recommend the following if he intends to keep the truck.
- New MOTORCRAFT phasers
- Melling M360 oil pump (it fixes the oil deliver issue ford decided was okay)
- MOTORCRAFT Timing Kit

If you do not buy motorcraft phasers, you are asking for trouble.

For bonus points.
- Updated Motorcraft Rocker Arms (They have improved oil passages so the cams are properly oiled)
- New VCT Solenoids (because you are there)

You can buy parts for about a $1000. Shop Labor is usually $1500-2000 depending on if you go for bonus points (of course this all varies by area etc).

Just my .02.
 
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