3 headed monster

[dano]

Hello, I have my 05 Expy, that needs a little tlc...I got the thing when it had 61 k miles on it. Now, at 174k miles, it need trans filter and fluid change, and also spark plugs. I've also noticed that i have a noisy camshaft phaser. With limited funds, which job should i take on first?
Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Hamfisted]

Well for a hundred bucks or so you can install the Comp Cams cam phaser kit to do away with Fords crappy cam phasers. https://www.summitracing.com/search...l-330/cam-phaser-disassembly-tool-included/no
https://www.summitracing.com/search...l-330/cam-phaser-disassembly-tool-included/no

Has the tranny fluid ever been changed? Are you doing the work ? Spark plugs ever been changed ? If you're not getting any misfire DTC codes the spark plugs would be last of the three jobs you mentioned. I'd start with the cam phaser fix. If you're doing the work it will be less than $200. If someone else is doing the work, you could be looking at $1000-$1500 repair bill.


-Mike

 

[dano]

Mike, Thanks for prompt response
I've never changed the tranny fluid, never changed the plugs. Have installed a couple sets of cheeeeeeeep c.o.p.'s, due to misfires. my scanner has never shown any codes when I was experiencing definite miss, nothing ever came up on my Harbor Freight (Centec OBDII/EOBD Item 60693).
I'd be doing the work myself on all the stuff. Have you ever done them yourself? From what I've seen on a couple youtube videos, it don't look like too bad of a job, as long as i'd have the tool to hold the chain in place.
Ok, just got done looking at the link you provided, them are just the phaser limiter. Also, when I was looking at them, it says I would need to have my vehicle computer tuned after installation...whats up with that?
Thanks for your thoughts on this too.

dano

 

[Hamfisted]

Yeah the re-programing of the computer adds another hassle to using the Comp Cams phaser limiter.
Your motor will run fine, you'll just get a check engine light because of a failed ECU cam-phaser range test.
Since you're gonna do the work yourself just get a replacement set of phasers from Rock Auto. http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...shaft+phaser+/+variable+timing+sprocket,18586
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...shaft+phaser+/+variable+timing+sprocket,18586
There's lots of How To videos available on YouTube and other sites.


-Mike

 

[Snag]

Wow, you are in need of some maintenance. Lucky you haven't killed something yet.

1. The tranny filter kit and 6 quarts of oil is a very simple maintenance item. Ebay you can get the filter/gasket kit for 20.00+-. 6 quarts of Mercon v, about 4.00 a quart. Takes a couple hours to drop the pan, clean it out and reinstall with the new gasket and filter. Also look up in the hole where the filter attaches, the old o-ring off the old filter will likely still be up there, pull it out. Also inside the pan there is a magnet, look it over for metal debris and clean it off and set back in, if you have a lot of debris and or oil smells hot, sale the rig because a tranny replacement is coming... If the tranny has never been serviced you may find a yellow plastic plug laying in the pan. Take that out and pitch it. This was installed during the manufacture process in the fill tube hole.
2. If the spark plugs were brand new the day you bought it they are ready and needing replacement. Buy Motorcraft SP 515 spark plugs on line, they are way cheaper then Ford or the parts house. On line -70.00, parts house 115.00, Ford higher. If the plugs are original you will likely break one or more getting them out. Turn each one out about a quarter turn, soak them overnight with penetration oil, be real careful turning them out the next day. Blow out the spark plug wells first to remove debris. Blow them out again before installing new plugs, or crank the engine over to blow out any oil. You don't want to hydro the engine with penetrating oil..Breaking a plug, that is not the end of the world tho, as the Lislie Tool 65600 will remove the broken plug bases quit easily. You can buy the tool for under 60.00, rent or borrow one. If the plugs are already the improved version SP 515 you are golden, no broken plug removal.
3. Phasers are way more complicated and expensive then the 2 things to do I listed above. Some guys say they have run noisy phasers for years. And with that mileage its normally not just phasers, I would pull the front end off, (timing cover) and check the timing assembly. Chances are you have a failed timing tensioner, probably the passenger side, that has failed. And the timing chain assembly has plastic guides, these fail and kill the engine if the oil pump sucks up the pieces. And if you go this deep you need to replace the oil pump. Its under the bottom crank/cam gear. Use a Melling M340 or M360, 100.00+-.

There are no cheap easy fixes for Ford Modular engines, they are a very costly engine to maintain, and I worry Ford likes it that way.
Good luck
Gary