3rd Gen 5.4L 3V Timing Job: My Take

[FordMafia]

1200 MILE UPDATE:

Everything is still working and running right thankfully
Just had an oil change done and no metal glitter in the drained oil! Oil filter was good too. I was able to walk under the vehicle and take a good look at the undercarriage in a well lit environment vs laying down and using daylight and my phone flashlight and didn't see anything strange.

Original MPG ~ 17
Current MPG ~ 16
Before MAF cleaning MPG ~ 15

I was waiting a while for my MPG to return to normal but it never did. I had about 2 MPG decrease from before. At 700 miles I figured it could be from the MAF getting dirty/dusty bc it was open to air the entire time I did the timing job even though I shoved a towel in there. After cleaning the MAF and then unplugging the battery to reset the MPG reader I got to a 1 MPG decrease from before. Best to just clean MAF when reassembling initially imo.
I thought maybe I damaged my brake booster vacuum lines while doing the timing but after some youtube diagnostic help videos I've ruled that out - no hissing when pressing brakes, pumping brakes while vehicle off until stiff and holding and then starting and brake pedal depresses bc of vehicle supplied vacuum - it is possible I missed something so let me know

My current MPG theories:

1. The aftermarket DAYCO harmonic balancer I used is not the same weight as OEM and is causing this issue
- I wouldn't mind if it is this because then there's nothing actually wrong and nothing to worry about
- I couldn't find reliable specs for the OEM weight or the DAYCO weight
- I also didn't think to compare weights when I had both out and also I didn't even really know about how changing the weight/size of crank pulley can affect MPG and HP until recently

2. It's my ignition coils starting to go bad
- Unfortunately I have aftermarket ones from about 2 years ago and did not see the FTM video explaining that they almost never go bad and will need a boot replace/repair if anything
- No misfires or codes or other noticeable shenanigans but what if they're only just having minor performance decrease caused by me pulling them out and putting them back in
- I did clean/examine them while out but didn't see anything out of the ordinary to my DIY eyes

3 Something with my new BOSCH fuel injectors?
- They're seated right as best as I can tell
- No gas smell from engine bay
- All the right values in FORSCAN
- They're real and I verified each one with the BOSCH verification site
- They did seem pretty 1:1 with OEM but maybe they're not and this is just how things will be with them from now on?
- I don't think this is likely but listing all the same because it's possible

4. Nothing is wrong with anything and it's a mix of colder weather and not driving enough to get a more consistent mpg value

Any help or advice on this would be appreciated

 

[914rrr]

I din't see what the fault was that was causing the ticking noise. Did I miss something?
I became acquainted with ticking rocker follower issues with our 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan. UGH!

 

[Gregg Eshelman]

I did a lot of mechanic work starting with my dad when I was in grade school, into my 40's. I try to do as little as I can get away with these days. Just swapped out a shorted alternator on my 07 EL and was surprised at how bleeping easy it was.

It's got some tick and after reading this thread this is not at all a job I want to do, especially since it appears to require some special tools for camshaft alignment. These days I try to stay away from buying tools I'll only ever use one time.

I'll get my stethoscope out and have a poke around. I assume if it's a cam phaser it'll be loudest right at the front of the cam covers. Where else should I check for ticking?

My knees and back don't like it when I lean over engines... This truck is the first vehicle I've owned that I let someone else do any service on, mainly because the Ford dealer charged me less for transmission service and oil change than I could buy the fluids and filter for at any store, and I didn't have to get it up on ramps and stands, buy a pump for the trans fluid, and get burnt by the cats.

I like the truck but might sell it to be SEP. Somebody Else's Problem. This job sounds like a shop would charge me more than I paid for the truck.