2010 - 2014 5.4 cam phaser parts et al end of life?

[Joe S]

This was posted by someone today!! this is exactly the reason I'm in favor of preventative Maintenance rather than wait for something to happen...

"
I bought a 2014 Expedition EL this spring that, despite having 160k miles, was remarkably quiet in the top end. Last week, 2000 miles from home and across the Rocky Mountains, it developed a loud valve train tick which started out as a half speed chirp and a squeal under moderate acceleration. We were pulling a small travel trailer and headed down the west coast to California. I stopped at a dealership, and after seeing the service tech’s face, I called off the remainder of the trip and headed home. I was careful to not rev the engine above 2500 rpm’s for almost the entire trip back to central Minnesota.
Yesterday I checked the oil pressure and found the it 75psi cold. 24psi at 210 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tonight I opened the right valve cover where the noise was loudest and found a bad lash adjuster and roller follower which had wrecked my cam.

I believe in the old saying, You can pay for something now or later....In the end, later may be more expensive...Just my opinion

 

[inmanlanier]

... i think my 5.4 is running great but sometimes I question what i hear...i have recorded my car running and I think it sounds normal...

From what I understand once the issue starts, the symptoms are the valvetrain clatter initially at startup (more or less each cold startup - perhaps 2 - 5 seconds). It's like an onlder car cold start with the simply hydraulic lifter noise. If ignored - eventually the clatter will be present all the time - here is where the most risk is. If you catch it early, not potentially catastrophic. I believe I also heard Makuloco say the same thing in one of his videos.

My buddy who had the issue with his 5.4 told me the he was not smart enough to deal with it when it gave him the symptoms (clatter) only on cold starts. He could easily here the clatter from inside the car. When the symptoms were also present running, he had wiped a cam lobe.

I would think that if you periodically have your better half or a friend do your first cold start of the day, with you in front of the car, hood up - this is all you need to do. That's my monitoring system. From time to time (mostly on a whim) if we're going somewhere, before starting the car I open the hood and go up front. My wife then cranks and starts.

Having said that, there is no negative in you spending the money to give you peace of mind. I was simply trying to give you options.

 

[Joe S]

Oh i get exactly what you mean...I don't disagree with you at all...but you are also somewhat experienced in the issue at hand unlike most people...I've had alot of Chevy's and this is my first 5.4 Ford...so Im trying to read up on this engine and what sounds to listen for...I think I'm getting comfortable with what I hear, but just trying to learn all I can....

Regardless, it has been a great thread you started....

 

[Lynnii2]

I'm getting ready to do the same thing...At first i was thinking of hiring a car transport company but they want $1300 one way and $2500 round trip...so im liking your idea of driving it instead....if you don't mind, I'm live in Arizona so basically same route you took,,,can you share your route and where did you stay while waiting for your car to get finished

Sorry for the late reply back. I live in San Diego and took the I-15 N, I-70 E, I-76 E and I-80 E to IL-47 S. I drove 15 hours straight, then took a nap in my truck for 4 hours, then drove the remaining 10 hours to the shop. I used the bathroom when i got gas only. I made hotel reservations at holiday inn express & suites yorkville by ihg. I took an Uber from the shop to the hotel. I was able to get there in 29 hours.

I took food in my yeti cooler and added water, energy drinks, gatorade, sandwiches, snacks. I ate dinner at Station One Smokehouse, flight tasting room & bottle shoppe for dinner in the same parking lot as the hotel. I did the same thing coming home and drove straight home. I use to taking road trips growing as a kid so it was no big deal.

 

[Joe S]

wowo..great job! so how is your EXPY running after Brian did all the work?? was it worth it??