Cam Phasers or Catalytic converter? Rought Idle / Low power
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4
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Cam Phasers or Catalytic converter? Rought Idle / Low power
Hey guys,
I've spent a few days reading as much as I can on the internet about my issue but I've run out of runway and need some advise. I picked up a '04 F150 5.4 with 105K miles. I purchased it with a known CEL on.
The only code during the inspection before I purchased it was P0022. Symptoms were the classic rough idle after oil gets up to temp and low on power. After a lot of research I replaced BOTH cam positioning sensors and BOTH cam CVT solenoids. I figured it was better to be safe as these were typically problem areas and are prone to issues. Note that I did a fresh oil change on the truck prior to putting in the new parts.
After the parts replacement I cleared the codes using an OBDII scanner, ran it for a drive and within 20 minutes the issues were back. Rough idle, low power.
I checked the codes and I'm getting the following now:
P0022
P0300
P0316
P0340
After a visual inspection I can't find/hear/see any vacuum leaks. The oil pressure is great. I'm after more research I'm thinking it may be:
1. Plugged Catalytic converter
2. Bad Cam Phasers
3. Cam phasers jumped a tooth
So, I need your guys help. How do I diagnose the problem? I'm already in this about $500 and don't want to keep replacing unbroken parts. I'm not thrilled with the idea of dropping it at a dealership and getting a bill for $1,700+ to replace the cam phasers and not have that solve the problem.
Will disconnecting the exhaust O2 sensor(s) really tell me if I have a plugged cat? How do I tell if a phaser is bad or just jumped a tooth? I read the DYI cam phaser replacement article on this site (excellent by the way) and I don't want to go this route unless I know for sure it is the cause of my issues.
PS - I need to figure this out in the next 30 days because the truck is currently failing the state inspection.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I've spent a few days reading as much as I can on the internet about my issue but I've run out of runway and need some advise. I picked up a '04 F150 5.4 with 105K miles. I purchased it with a known CEL on.
The only code during the inspection before I purchased it was P0022. Symptoms were the classic rough idle after oil gets up to temp and low on power. After a lot of research I replaced BOTH cam positioning sensors and BOTH cam CVT solenoids. I figured it was better to be safe as these were typically problem areas and are prone to issues. Note that I did a fresh oil change on the truck prior to putting in the new parts.
After the parts replacement I cleared the codes using an OBDII scanner, ran it for a drive and within 20 minutes the issues were back. Rough idle, low power.
I checked the codes and I'm getting the following now:
P0022
P0300
P0316
P0340
After a visual inspection I can't find/hear/see any vacuum leaks. The oil pressure is great. I'm after more research I'm thinking it may be:
1. Plugged Catalytic converter
2. Bad Cam Phasers
3. Cam phasers jumped a tooth
So, I need your guys help. How do I diagnose the problem? I'm already in this about $500 and don't want to keep replacing unbroken parts. I'm not thrilled with the idea of dropping it at a dealership and getting a bill for $1,700+ to replace the cam phasers and not have that solve the problem.
Will disconnecting the exhaust O2 sensor(s) really tell me if I have a plugged cat? How do I tell if a phaser is bad or just jumped a tooth? I read the DYI cam phaser replacement article on this site (excellent by the way) and I don't want to go this route unless I know for sure it is the cause of my issues.
PS - I need to figure this out in the next 30 days because the truck is currently failing the state inspection.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Just a few other points that may be helpful. The engine is very smooth from 1,000 rpm to about 3K. It runs rough at idle but doesn't sound like a diesel. There is a slight tick from the upper manifold are of the engine at idle when the hood is up. I suspect it's just loud injectors but it's hard to tell.
