VCT Selenoids or timing issue ?

[Simsy]

Have an 09 expedition el xlt. Once warmed up and only at low idle sitting at a stop light the engine has a loud clanking noise. Once I step on the gas and over 12-1500 rpm the sound goes away . AGAIN , this is only when fully warmed up and not constantly an issue . When it does make the noise it’s very loud .

 

[Vdubnick]

phaser or chain/tensioner.... how many miles you got? sounds like a timing job is needed

 

[Simsy]

phaser or chain/tensioner.... how many miles you got? sounds like a timing job is needed

192k miles

 

[Vdubnick]

192k miles

yep, i would bet it is tensioner/phaser issues. you have to tear it apart to make sure, and at that point you may as well replace it all anyways since its a known failure point.

 

[rowekmr]

I subscribed to this thread because I have the same issues...intermittent rough idle when engine at operating temperature. It will go away with rpms over 1000rpm and if I rev engine a few times over 2000rpm it can go away at idle. This on a recently bought 2009 Expedition EB with 147k miles. If it idles roughly too long it will trigger a code P0012 and P0022 but from my reading it points to failing VCT solenoids. I was going to try to get them replaced first to see if that cures the issues with fresh oil change with factory filter. In the meanwhile I put sea foam in the engine oil to hopefully break down sludge in oil that can contribute to this problem.

 

[Simsy]

Would a heavier oil help at all?

 

[Vdubnick]

Would a heavier oil help at all?

what are you running now? i was 5w-20 from 100-120k on mine, then heard of the timing issues and noise going away with 5w-30, so i switched and it quieted it down until i blew my tensioner seals at about 185k.

 

[Vdubnick]

I subscribed to this thread because I have the same issues...intermittent rough idle when engine at operating temperature. It will go away with rpms over 1000rpm and if I rev engine a few times over 2000rpm it can go away at idle. This on a recently bought 2009 Expedition EB with 147k miles. If it idles roughly too long it will trigger a code P0012 and P0022 but from my reading it points to failing VCT solenoids. I was going to try to get them replaced first to see if that cures the issues with fresh oil change with factory filter. In the meanwhile I put sea foam in the engine oil to hopefully break down sludge in oil that can contribute to this problem.

rough idle could also be ignition related. if you have a bad plug or coil you will notice it at idle and when car is under load/accelerating.

 

[Goofy173]

This is the 5.4 3 valve engine correct? That noise is bad and you have between 5k-15k miles left before full fail of the engine from when you first heard it start clanking. This engine is POS and to make it last, always full synthetic oil.

Get your $4k (As it can go up to that much but hopefully not. My total $4200) ready if you're gonna have it done by a mechanic. No reason to leave out any of this at that mileage:
Replace Chains, tensioners, phasers, rockers, cams, water pump. Maybe the oil pump but others may know better than me on that oil pump.

 

[Vdubnick]

This is the 5.4 3 valve engine correct? That noise is bad and you have between 5k-15k miles left before full fail of the engine from when you first heard it start clanking. This engine is POS and to make it last, always full synthetic oil.

Get your $4k (As it can go up to that much but hopefully not. My total $4200) ready if you're gonna have it done by a mechanic. No reason to leave out any of this at that mileage:
Replace Chains, tensioners, phasers, rockers, cams, water pump. Maybe the oil pump but others may know better than me on that oil pump.

IMO, having done one now, the pump is cheap, no reason not to change it... but at a minimum, if you want to be cheap, take the plate off the pump and clean out the pressure channel. gunk builds up and can cause suction to fail/reduce, which directly affects pressure.