2006 XLT 125k Timing Chains

[Parhelion]

Hi, my name is Mike. My family has a 2006 Expy XLT approaching 125k miles. Original everything except plugs @ 100k. I service it regularly at my dealer (sue me, I love them).

The last time it was in for service, the tech noted some noise from the timing chains. I have read on social media that the timing chains on this 5.4 Triton need early maintenance. What is the community's thoughts? Can I wait 12 months to replace the timing chains? It will take me 3 months to come up with the $3500 to do the chains anyway. Should I be treating this more urgently?

Mike

 

[johnboneske]

Can you do the work yourself? For $3500 you can almost get a remanufactured engine... Most shops would be less than 1/2 that to do rhe job. I have a whole set of gears, chains, guides, etc if you need a set...would sell them cheap!

 

[JExpedition07]

Nothing wrong with using a dealer if you have a good one. For 3,500 I hope they are doing camphasers and tensioners/ guides as well if not that is a rip off. You are probably fine to wait as long as it’s not slapping around in there. Also make sure it’s really making noise. Price they quoted you is on the high side be aware, and if they aren’t including phasers I wouldn’t consider them.

 

[Parhelion]

Thanks for the replies! Really appreciate it. To be honest the tech says the chains are noisy, and that's literally it. I am not trained enough to know what a noisy chain sounds like. I've left a message to get details on what the $3,500 includes (cam phasers, guides, etc.). Like you all said, if just the timing chains then I'll find another way to get it done. I certainly can't do it myself, and finding a good independent shop I can trust is hard since I trust no one these days.

Appreciate the offer on affordable parts, I'll keep it in mind as I figure this out!

 

[1955moose]

Yeah their was a couple of members in the Sacramento area that complained of the poor workmanship of independent shops up there. That's a shame theirs so many. You might check with the better business bureau if you do go independent, for the better recommendation. The problem on 05-10 Expeditions besides premature wear on the guides that the chains ride against, is the cam phasers that advance, and retard the valve timing. At this point I'd keep an ear on the front half of motor, and listen for any clattering sound. In particular if it gets louder. Keep the oil clean, no more than 5k between changes.

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[Parhelion]

Thanks. I've decided to take it to the dealer and get it all taken care of. This will set me back, but Lord knows I can't afford the alternative -- a dead Expedition.

 

[johnboneske]

While its apart and they are into the engine I would also have them do the oil pump since it is an intricate part of the timing chain tensioner system and do the plugs since they are the 2 piece design and a PITA.

 

[Parhelion]

Thanks John. Plugs are good (< 25k mi.) for now. I'm researching the need to replace cam phasers. Any advice is welcome.

 

[Parhelion]

How do I know if I have 3v or 4v?

 

[JExpedition07]

You have a 3V

 

[FRD88]

When I purchased my 05 last year I noticed a slight knocking noise coming from the timing chains. I only heard it at idle and it would go away when rpms increased. A very good friend of mine has a shop and I had the guys listen to it before I traveled from Montana to Denver a couple months after I bought it to see if they would change out the timing chains before the trip and they agreed they wouldn't worry until it got worse. It seemed like a good idea to me because most people wouldn't have even noticed the knocking I was hearing so off I went. It made it to Denver no problem then half way through Wyoming on the way home, with my mom in our nice new vehicle that I was so proud of, took a dump and left us stranded. Thank god we were only about 15-20 miles from Casper, because there are parts of Wyoming that are not close to anything. Long story short the plastic timing chain tensioner broke, clogging the oil pump intake, and the engine was toast. Most likely it was a phaser that failed and the plastic tensioner was just the weak point that broke. Just my two cents, but I wouldn't wait long for repairs. I was planning on replacing timing chains after returning from the trip and ended up replacing the whole motor.

 

[Habbibie]

Hell I'd save that $3500, sell the expedition for another $3500 and buy a $7000 "alternative" instead! I don't get how you can justify spending 100% of the vehicle value on a maintenance repair... where's the logic in that?

 

[poppie]

Some reading material from a guy who is more than JUST a parts exchanger like at most Stealership's now day's, (3) LINK'S , Ford 5.4L 3v Triton Engine: DO NOT USE AFTERMARKET PHASERS FROM FREEDOM RACING/OTHERS; THIS IS WHY! , ,...………. AND THIS,Ford 5.4L 3v Engine Knocking Noise: This is Why You Don't Buy Cheap Engine Parts!, , ......…...HOW ABOUT A 5.4 WITH OVER 300,000 MILES, 305,000 Mile Ford 5.4L 3v Triton Engine Brought Back to Life After Melling M360HV Oil Pump Install ,

 

[Plati]

I'd get a second opinion.
Mechanic says it needs "blah blah blah".
Skeptical it really needs it, maybe it does .. lot of money.
Buyer beware!

 

[1955moose]

Well I didn't want to be a said so like the others, but the Melling pump is good, but you gotta spend the $ on Ford chains and phasers. Habbibie and the others know what they speak. Habbibie in particular has gone through a nightmare worse than yours, and ended up with a used Motor. The biggest problem is the phasers and plastic aftermarket tenshoniers. Go with the Ford or top shelf stuff if you commit to the job. It runs around $850.00 in parts, plus a lot of labor, but it works for at least 200k. The other way, not so much, and you don't want to be fighting with your mechanic 20,000 miles down the road. Better to be asking, how's that teenager doing with her SATs? Is she ready for college?

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[fordexpylvr]

I had a 07 expy with about 80 k miles. started getting a misfire here and there. coil pack here and there and a plug. ended replacing all plugs and coils. I wasn't waiting on a cam phaser too. with all the problems I had plus the left quarter panel was getting very rusty underneath I traded it off. I had it 8 yrs but I traded it while I could still get something decent out of it last month. now have a 17 with 36k miles and purchased the extended warranty till 100k or 7 more years.my 07 had 84k when I traded it

 

[JExpedition07]

 

[Habbibie]

Well I didn't want to be a said so like the others, but the Melling pump is good, but you gotta spend the $ on Ford chains and phasers. Habbibie and the others know what they speak. Habbibie in particular has gone through a nightmare worse than yours, and ended up with a used Motor. The biggest problem is the phasers and plastic aftermarket tenshoniers. Go with the Ford or top shelf stuff if you commit to the job. It runs around $850.00 in parts, plus a lot of labor, but it works for at least 200k. The other way, not so much, and you don't want to be fighting with your mechanic 20,000 miles down the road. Better to be asking, how's that teenager doing with her SATs? Is she ready for college?

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LoL you reminded me of the nightmare, I went back and dug up my original thread about fixing my original motor only for it to blow the bottom end 2 hours later... I dont know what I was thinking back then I spent 5k on motor swap and new timing set... 200% of its total value (bangs head in wall), also a new AC compressor, a jasper transmission, open diff to LSD diff swap, rocker panels, exhaust manifold studs, radiator support.... the list just goes on & on!!!

anyways now after all I've fixed up on it I bet you that i have the most bulletproofed 3v expedition on expeditionforum.com, not counting the idiotic part of spending 4x-5x of the trucks total value

 

[1955moose]

Yeah but some day, no time soon, you'll be sitting around with the 5 year old, that's now 15, saying dad, what were you thinking? And you'll say son, it was a different time back in 2018, we did stupid things! It was that president Trump's plan, to make us spend our [emoji383]. Well that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!


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[JExpedition07]

As much complaining everyone does the 5.4L 3V is a good engine. The timing set is for sure the weak spot for it. Bottom end on these modular engines is very strong. While I appreciate an old 2 valve the 3 valve fixed a lot of things wrong with it. More power up high with the VCT and a more useable overall power band, improved head gaskets, intake manifold design, etc. The plugs certainly aren’t blowing out of the head like the older ones.......but they may also try to stay in there when you WANT them out lol. Although I must say I found the plug change to be easy. Best way to keep a 3 valve happy is change the oil & filter always and often. While not bulletproof it is a solid platform.