My 2010 sounds like an actual diesel at idle

[Stinky_1]

I have the phaser bypass kit coming in the mail already. But I see I can get new solenoids pretty cheap, and saw a guy swap them without pulling the Valve Cover. So it may be worth a shot.

Then Ill slate the Phaser bypass for another time if they still sound bad.

 

[Stinky_1]

Just replace the solenoids. $100 for two of them from Ford. Locking them out is hack stuff, and you're no hack.

Thanks for the laugh. I flip flop between being a hack, and wanting to do it right.

Im not sure where I sit on this currently. But for now I am leaning towards putting in new solenoids and see what happens.

Thanks everyone for the prompt feedback. I was hoping with all the videos someone else in my situation will be able to reproduce the same tests and have a better idea what their problem may be.

Unlike many other threads out there I will come back and post the results of the solenoid swap. May even do a video just for fun.

fingers crossed that it fixes it

 

[gixer2000]

If you pulling the valve covers replace the phasers while your there. They can be done without pulling the front cover.

And I'm posting another video. I live by this guys videos if you cant tell

 

[Stinky_1]

If you pulling the valve covers replace the phasers while your there. They can be done without pulling the front cover.

And I'm posting another video. I live by this guys videos if you cant tell

I have been watching all his videos too.

The phaser bypass kit I bought has the timing chain lock so the front cover doesn't need to come off, but, I'm planning on doing the solenoids through the hole that they poke out of.

Seems like less hassle than trying to pull the vc.

Truth be told I was planning to pay someone to do the phasers because I didn't want to deal with it.

15 years ago I would have done all my wrenching. Now I would rather not do it if I can get away with it.

In either case I will post the results. I still want to check that oil pressure. You guys have me curious

 

[Trainmaster]

I looked at my '08 and those phaser valves ain't coming out without pulling the valve covers. But I believe some earlier years could be changed with the covers on.

I flip flop between being a hack, and wanting to do it right.

Most of us who do our own work do...

My 2010 Explorer had a bout with a rough idle, and then threw an bunch of phaser codes for both sides. Two times it did it. After trying to wish myself that it was simply a loose electric connector, glob in the oil, alternator diode or other silly stuff, I manned up to the likelihood of it being a chain guide or low oil pressure and bought a $1300, 4-year powertrain warranty (last night). On the chance that the cam bearings are shot or there's crank end-play, i didn't want to pay for a new motor. The Ford has 90,000 miles and I bought it a year ago. Hey, my oil change could have been its first for all I know.

I'm looking forward to hearing that you had good luck with this.

 

[Stinky_1]

I looked at my '08 and those phaser valves ain't coming out without pulling the valve covers. But I believe some earlier years could be changed with the covers on.

I had another look and I think you're right. The earlier years seemed to have a bigger hole.

So, if I'm pulling the valve covers anyway then I hate to break it to you guys, but the phaser bypass kit will be getting installed rather than new solenoids.

I planned to do my own custom tune on the vehicle anyway. Not for crazy hp but for better fuel mileage on the highway. If I'm doing that already the cost of the bypass kit is less than $100, so it seems like the right way to go.

I'll get the oil pressure checked before I open it up. If its low then I guess the job just gets a little bigger since the front timing cover also needs to come off then

 

[poppie]

Just a quick question, Did you buy your Expy NEW or USED and if new have you been religiously changing your oil say every 5000 miles ??, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itI9uysEp4A , sounds to me like this was a case of going too long between oil changes and the VCT valve got a varnish build up causing it to stick along with spring fatigue due to age, FordTechMakuloco what are your thoughts along this line of thinking??.

 

[Stinky_1]

Just a quick question, Did you buy your Expy NEW or USED and if new have you been religiously changing your oil say every 5000 miles ??, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itI9uysEp4A , sounds to me like this was a case of going too long between oil changes and the VCT valve got a varnish build up causing it to stick along with spring fatigue due to age, FordTechMakuloco what are your thoughts along this line of thinking??.

I bought it used 4 days ago.

Your probably right. But it has 288,000 km which seems about good for the service life of the VCT.

 

[poppie]

I bought it used 4 days ago.

Your probably right. But it has 288,000 km which seems about good for the service life of the VCT.

that's about 180,000 miles SO you have no idea of what the other owner / owners did in regards to service ,sure would like to hear what service TEC has to say, FordTechMakuloco

 

[JExpedition07]

The key to keeping a 5.4L happy is always staying on top of oil changes. I do Ford Motorcraft 5w-20 normally but recently switched to 5w-30 and use a FL-820s filter every 3,500 miles.

 

[deweysmith]

I wouldn’t do a phaser lockout if you paid me.

The TSB from Ford on 2008 or 2009 and later says to replace the solenoids. They seem to think the updated phasers don’t have a problem usually, just the solenoids.

Also, if you have a scanner than can see it, graph the VCTADVERR PIDs (1 and 2 I think). It will show you how the camshafts are advanced against where the computer wants them. It will probably be all over the place. I’d be really interested to see the graphs.

Food for thought.

 

[JExpedition07]

Realize when you lockout the camphasers and disable the variable cam timing you Will have less HP/Torque as the engine utilized the VCT for the higher output. Your power will be closer to that of the older 2 Valves.

 

[JExpedition07]

Idk if you’ve ever driven a 2 valve, but the 3 valves blow the doors off of them. Not sure how much you will actually lose but it will be noticeable.

 

[poppie]

The key to keeping a 5.4L happy is always staying on top of oil changes. I do Ford Motorcraft 5w-20 normally but recently switched to 5w-30 and use a FL-820s filter every 3,500 miles.

That what I do also, bought it used as a CPO with just 14,000 miles and had never used Motorcraft oil in the past but not wanting to give them an out on the better than new warranty that is what I used and I change it myself ,warranty is long gone now but don't believe in switching brands of oil and still change it every 5000 miles, also change the trans oil every 30,000 miles,just put new struts on the rear as it was bouncing around and changed the top radiator hose & serpentine belt just because AND that's all that has been done to it, BTW what was the reasoning for going to 5w-30 and how is it working out for you, thanks , John

 

[JExpedition07]

BTW what was the reasoning for going to 5w-30 and how is it working out for you, thanks , John

Research was the reason, I found 5w-30 was recommended for the 5.4L engines outside of the U.S. and Canada even with all of them being built in the Windsor facilities. FordTechMakuloco also recommend it as well as other forum members on multiple occasions. Not much change, I think it runs a tad quieter when hot than before (could be mental).

 

[Stinky_1]

Also, if you have a scanner than can see it, graph the VCTADVERR PIDs (1 and 2 I think). It will show you how the camshafts are advanced against where the computer wants them. It will probably be all over the place. I’d be really interested to see the graphs.

Food for thought.

I'll see if one of my scanners will let me pull up the graphs for those.

The video I posted already shows the timing graph. Which is all over the place when it's acting up.

 

[Stinky_1]

Runs good. Supposedly they loose a little top end power, but you could not prove it by me.

That's a quote from a guy that installed the phaser bypass and did not do the tune. Just added the shims and drove it.

Seems to me that the bypass does not leave it down on power

Note that the bypass is not the same as just unplugging the VCT. That would leave you down on power due to the timing not advancing. And still may cause phaser chatter due to leaky VCT.

 

[Stinky_1]

Update,

I opened it up to install the phaser bypass. The passenger side cam chain is extremely loose.

Normally it should be tight. I am suspecting there is a leaky tensioner on that side so I have continued tearing the front cover off

Found a little surprise though, my harmonic balancer on the crankshaft does not have holes for a puller to be threaded into as I expected. Instead it has a lip on it for a hook type puller

I'll have to continue tomorrow when the parts store opens again.

Since I have to pull the front cover off anyway I am going to be replacing the chain, guides, tensioner and oil pump.

I intend to leave the phaser bypass in still since I have heard of people replacing everything and still having a tick.

I wasn't expecting to replace all these parts so the truck will sit in my garage for another week while I wait for them to arrive.

I will update with pics of what I find when I get it all pulled apart.

 

[1955moose]

What's really sad these days besides having try do a job that shouldn't have to, if Ford cared in the infancy stages of each engine design, but having to wait a week for parts, that the stores used to give discounts On that they dont anymore. Because of their greed we look online and wait. Kinda reminds me of repairing Honda/Yamaha motorcycles back in the 70's when we waited a week or more for parts.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[Stinky_1]

.... but having to wait a week for parts, that the stores used to give discounts On that they dont anymore. Because of their greed we look online and wait.

Actually my local parts supplier can get me pretty much everything the same day (if I call before 8), or by the next day

The problem is the cost is 2-10 times more from them. So I'll wait for shipping online, and save my money