Fallingapart
Member
Thank you, Jb14 and Gruz7. Good info! What kind of filter are you using with the Amsoil? And are you getting the oil and filter locally or are you having to order it? I see it available on Amazon.
Maybe cam phasers? Timing chain?
- Thread starter Gruz7
- Start date
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Jb14
Full Access Members
I have a local shop that I found that carriers Amsoil the oil change is pricey but technically you can go about 10k between changes (I dont but you could) The shop lets me come in between oil changes and replace filter and will top off at no charge. They have tested out just about every filter so I use the one they provide which has been a good choice.
Amsoil usually only sells through independent dealers with good reps. Hope that helps
Amsoil usually only sells through independent dealers with good reps. Hope that helps
Fallingapart
Member
Thanks, JB14. I went to the Amsoil website and found a local place here in town that sells it. I'll be heading over there tomorrow first thing. I might even see if they'd change that VCT solenoid, too, since I've got a busy next couple of weeks at work and it would be a while before I could try to change it. Thanks for the great suggestions.
Jb14
Full Access Members
Just a thought, If you can buy the Motorcraft VCT from Amazon or Ebay first (Cost about 59 ea, plus the new caps) and take it to the shop. If I remember correctly the VCT from Ford direct is like $135 ea and with this part I was not confidant myself on aftermarket VCT. Just saying who knows where the shop would get the part.
Just my opinion
Just my opinion
Fallingapart
Member
Thank you, Jb14. I've tried a couple of places - and they will not change the VCT solenoids for me. I am hoping to try one more place and if not, will try it myself. Frustrating.
I just did mine yesterday, took me 10 minutes wrestling to get the caps off but less than a minute to actually change the the VCT it self. I ended up using pliers to pull off the caps the screw driver/ice pick wasn't working for me.
Fallingapart
Member
Hi Habbibie -
Did it fix the tapping noise?!?!? I am still considering doing the repair myself.
Jb14 and Gruz7 -
An update - I went today to two Ford dealerships and talked to their service managers - and this time felt like they weren't just trying to scam me just because I am a woman. And both said they have had good success with replacing the cam phasers with the Ford re-designed cam phasers. Both said they would not recommend replacing the engine like the "full of it" Ford service desk man at the first dealership insisted was the only true solution. They also were without the drama of the first Ford service desk jerk - they both explained the mechanisms the same way (different from the first jerk but the same as what I've read on this and other websites). And both said that their shops have fixed many of these cam phasers and have not had any problems. The two service managers today also each quoted me a price that was $1500 less than the first one to replace the cam phasers, the timing chain and the VCT solenoids - and they were within $30 of each other on their quotes. I asked them if cost were not a factor and if it was their wife driving this car alone on long trips, would they do this engine repair or would they replace the engine (which the first jerk insisted was my only solution). Both said they would absolutely do this engine repair and both said they felt comfortable that the repair would solve the problem and I should have no further engine problems. (I wonder if I should have asked if they actually like their wife!! ;-) haha!!). So what do you think? Is a "repair" to this engine replacing the cam phasers, timing chain and VCT solenoid going to actually fix it or is the engine still going to be prone to jumping the timing chain later on? I have to make frequent 1300 mile round trips in this car - by myself - and need something reliable. I'm not fond of the side of the road! I can baby it along for about the next 3-4 months (and why I am thinking about changing the VCT solenoids myself in the interim) - but after that I need to get it where I can put it back on the road with confidence.
What do you think?
Thank you!
Did it fix the tapping noise?!?!? I am still considering doing the repair myself.
Jb14 and Gruz7 -
An update - I went today to two Ford dealerships and talked to their service managers - and this time felt like they weren't just trying to scam me just because I am a woman. And both said they have had good success with replacing the cam phasers with the Ford re-designed cam phasers. Both said they would not recommend replacing the engine like the "full of it" Ford service desk man at the first dealership insisted was the only true solution. They also were without the drama of the first Ford service desk jerk - they both explained the mechanisms the same way (different from the first jerk but the same as what I've read on this and other websites). And both said that their shops have fixed many of these cam phasers and have not had any problems. The two service managers today also each quoted me a price that was $1500 less than the first one to replace the cam phasers, the timing chain and the VCT solenoids - and they were within $30 of each other on their quotes. I asked them if cost were not a factor and if it was their wife driving this car alone on long trips, would they do this engine repair or would they replace the engine (which the first jerk insisted was my only solution). Both said they would absolutely do this engine repair and both said they felt comfortable that the repair would solve the problem and I should have no further engine problems. (I wonder if I should have asked if they actually like their wife!! ;-) haha!!). So what do you think? Is a "repair" to this engine replacing the cam phasers, timing chain and VCT solenoid going to actually fix it or is the engine still going to be prone to jumping the timing chain later on? I have to make frequent 1300 mile round trips in this car - by myself - and need something reliable. I'm not fond of the side of the road! I can baby it along for about the next 3-4 months (and why I am thinking about changing the VCT solenoids myself in the interim) - but after that I need to get it where I can put it back on the road with confidence.
What do you think?
Thank you!
OP
OP
Min hardly had the phaser noise it was definitely more a VCT solenoids issue in my case because I have almost no noise at all when driving along... My suggestion is obviously to start with the two solenoid because they are cheap and take less than an hour to do and also switch to Mobil 1 full synthetic and synthetic filter from Mobil 1 (helped me)...
From what I've read it is much more cost effective to do the entire job (phasers, tensioners, solenoids, chain, etc) than to do bits and pieces like the just the phasers or just the tensioners because that will make it only a temporary fix. I don't think you need to consider a new engine just yet but if you want to do a piece of it, I recommend the VCT solenoids any other replacements I would go all the way and do the entire cam system.
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Jb14
Full Access Members
Fallingapart I put about 4k a month on my truck going through the desert from california to nevada about a 600 miles round trip that I do a minimum of 3 times a month (just did yesterday round trip NV to CA and CA to NV in one day it was a 112 degrees with AC on and packed with 2 kids and stuff) This of course is your choice but I would find a Mechanic even a Neighborhood one to replace the VCT first the noise will pretty much go away.
Changing out the CAM Phasers (following Cruz7 recommendation on what to change should be a base line) If you decide to go with replacing the CAM Phasers ask the shop exactly what they are going to change, a typical do it yourself-er can do this in a day in there garage in most cases they are just changing out the phasers and do not replace, chains, tensioners etc (you can look up you tube videos that will show you the job)
As a reference point I have 247K and just did my VCT Solenoid last month and have not timing issues and virtually no noise.
Changing out the CAM Phasers (following Cruz7 recommendation on what to change should be a base line) If you decide to go with replacing the CAM Phasers ask the shop exactly what they are going to change, a typical do it yourself-er can do this in a day in there garage in most cases they are just changing out the phasers and do not replace, chains, tensioners etc (you can look up you tube videos that will show you the job)
As a reference point I have 247K and just did my VCT Solenoid last month and have not timing issues and virtually no noise.
