Cam phasers...replace or lock out?

Shantheman73 · Mar 13, 2020

Pros/cons?
What does locking them out do to fuel economy, power, etc?

2007 Ford Expedition Limited
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JExpedition07 · Mar 13, 2020

Locking them out decreases fuel economy and takes away top end power since the cams can’t retard. They also mask symptoms of low oil pressure. Mostly cons but solves noises is the only real pro

larryjb · Mar 13, 2020

I think as long as you use synthetic oil and change it regularly, there's no need to lock it out. We have a 2008 Explorer with the 4.6L and we've had absolutely no issues yet with the phasers or chains. If the phasers do need changing, it's not that bad of a job if done correctly. The 5.4 might be different though, I suppose.

Shantheman73 · Mar 13, 2020

JExpedition07 said:
Locking them out decreases fuel economy and takes away top end power since the cams can’t retard. They also mask symptoms of low oil pressure. Mostly cons but solves noises is the only real pro

Funny... The guy at the shop today told me the opposite. I thought he was wrong. He’s not the owner, so I’m going to take his advice with a grain of salt.

When I asked him why Ford put them in there if they only increase fuel econ when you lock them out, he didn’t have an answer.

2007 Ford Expedition Limited
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

JExpedition07 · Mar 13, 2020

Shantheman73 said:
Funny... The guy at the shop today told me the opposite. I thought he was wrong. He’s not the owner, so I’m going to take his advice with a grain of salt.

When I asked him why Ford put them in there if they only increase fuel econ when you lock them out, he didn’t have an answer.

2007 Ford Expedition Limited
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The main point of Ford adding VCT phasers to the 5.4L 3V was to increase top end horsepower. Long stroke engines like the 5.4 fall on their face in upper revs, retarding the cams at higher revs increases horsepower and mitigates this. Locking out the cams ability to retard at WOT will reduce your horsepower by 20-30.

07navi · Mar 13, 2020

Don't lock them out! They will gladly sell you cheap lockouts that mess up your HP and MPGs and then look stupid when you ask them about it. Do it right and don't be lazy. It's like having someone do your homework, easy but you don't learn anything...……….don't do it.

Trainmaster · Mar 13, 2020

Agree with 07. Don't hack up a good motor.

t_bois · Mar 14, 2020

So locking them out isn't a cheap fix. You still have timing chains to consider, and if emission are an issues, what are you going to do to address that? Besides, new cam phasers should last you another 100K miles or more. I'm sure by them you'll be worrying about other issues.

lbv150 · Mar 16, 2020

Start by changing the two cam phaser solenoids. They have tiny screens and passages that are effected by infrequent oil changes or wrong oil viscosity. Takes only minutes to change with the proper Torx screw driver (a socket won't fit) they took most of the noise away and ran better.

Blksmk · Mar 16, 2020

lbv150 said:
Start by changing the two cam phaser solenoids. They have tiny screens and passages that are effected by infrequent or wrong oil viscosity. Takes only minutes to change with the proper Torx screw driver (a socket won't fit) they took most of the noise away and ran better.

I'll have to look into this as well

Cam phasers...replace or lock out?

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