I'm lost here and looking for some help I've got a 2004 f150 5.4 the other day I was driving at around 35 mph in town out of nowhere it started stumbling backfireing bucking I got to to the local dealership and left it called the next morning and they say something broke internally and the pcm is coded bad they quoted me ten thousand dollars to replace the engine i told them no and had it towed home. When I started it to me it acts like it's lost the passenger side bank acts like it's jumped time fuel pressure is good coils are good replaced cam position sensors that didn't help I got it opened up yesterday and the passenger side guide was in pieces i don't think it was so out of time that it hurt the motor what would you guys replace and would you use motorcraft parts truck has 142,000 on it

 

worse case the valves could have hit the pistons because I believe it's an interference engine. You may have to pull the head to find out. Or just replace all the timing stuff and see what the compression is.

 

Borescope it.

With 142k, it may not be worth it - and 10 grand for an engine swap, even a 5.4 3V, is obscene.

 

I don't think it hurt the engine or at least I hope it didn't I don't have a bore scope so I'll check the compression I ordered the timing parts yesterday

 

Most parts stores loan or rent borescopes. I'd advise you do it before you spend ANY money on parts.

 

I agree with glc. Boroscope it first. If you remove the valve cover you might be able to partially determine the extent of the damage.

 

K thanks I'll check into renting one what would I look for with the valve covers off

 

One thing I did notice is that the camshaft sprocket attached to the cam phaser moves some and the cam itself don't move

 

That can't be right can it

 

You would look for cam and follower damage. If there is no piston, cam, or valve damage, I'd replace the whole VCT system.

 

Ok thanks I don't see any damage I've rotated the engine several times no binding everything looks good but I may be wrong I've been wrong before I'd still like to bore scope it before I go putting parts on it would you replace the vct solenoids also

 

If you are replacing the timing sets, I would replace the whole VCT system and drop the pan to clean out the broken pieces - and probably change the oil pump too.

 

Ok thanks I had already planned on pulling the oil pan and cleaning the pieces of the guides out of it hadn't thought about changing the oil pump since I'm in their already I might as well change it thanks for mentioning it. I'll change the vct solenoids also. I'll see if I can get them or order them tomorrow thanks for all the advice

 

Change the phasers too. Use the most recent Motorcraft parts.

 

How do you know if what the dealer sells me is the latest design