Ford 5.4 V8 Noise

[jumbeaux]

My 2005 F150 sounds like a diesel.  Mechanic says the cam phasers on the 3 valve variable timed engine is the reason.  It only has 160,000 miles on it and I don't have the funds to buy something else.  Anyone had this problem and is it just loud or is it a engine failure waiting to happen ??
 
rick
 
 
 
 

[dstegjas]

I have a 2002 F250 Super Duty 4x4 with the same engine. It also has 162, 000 miles on it with no out of the ordinary engine noises. Since the mechanics were able to identify the problem causing the noise. Where they able to tell you what caused the problem and how much it would cost to repair it ?


Jim

[Larry L]

I'm afraid your mechanic is correct. Cam phasers on the ill fated 3V Tritons has been an issue since they came out. Thankfully they are now gone in the F150. Having an issue with the cam phasers means the engine sounds like a diesel at idle. The noise will not effect engine life per Ford TSB. I would suggest getting a code reader on it though. If you've never replaced the cam position sensors on that 160,000 mile engine, I can assure they are shot and MIGHT be the problem. You are talking an easily replaced part on the front of the engine, each side at a cost of about 100 bucks each. It's pretty much a plug and play kinda part.
Just as a FWIW, if you haven't replaced the plugs in the Triton 3V, make sure to have a Motor Vac service done on it BEFORE having the plugs changed or expect a HUGE bill. Those are the multi piece plugs that are prone to break off in the heads. The MV service gets rid of a lot of the carbon around the stem of the plug that creates the issue. ALWAYS use Motorcraft parts on that engine including the PCV or expect issues. Yeah, it's a finicky engine.
The F250 is a 2V engine and not the same head design.

[Lloyd Smale]

brother in law spent over 2k on a plug change in his because his plugs broke. He fixed it and a month later is driving a new gmc.

I'm afraid your mechanic is correct. Cam phasers on the ill fated 3V Tritons has been an issue since they came out. Thankfully they are now gone in the F150. Having an issue with the cam phasers means the engine sounds like a diesel at idle. The noise will not effect engine life per Ford TSB. I would suggest getting a code reader on it though. If you've never replaced the cam position sensors on that 160,000 mile engine, I can assure they are shot and MIGHT be the problem. You are talking an easily replaced part on the front of the engine, each side at a cost of about 100 bucks each. It's pretty much a plug and play kinda part.
Just as a FWIW, if you haven't replaced the plugs in the Triton 3V, make sure to have a Motor Vac service done on it BEFORE having the plugs changed or expect a HUGE bill. Those are the multi piece plugs that are prone to break off in the heads. The MV service gets rid of a lot of the carbon around the stem of the plug that creates the issue. ALWAYS use Motorcraft parts on that engine including the PCV or expect issues. Yeah, it's a finicky engine.
The F250 is a 2V engine and not the same head design.