Well before I left I noticed my engine making a rattling noise around the 800-1000 rpm range. I didn't think much of it then but I had time today so I started doing some research on it. Looks like I'm going to need some phasers and the VTC sensors.

Another thing that's going on is a jerking motion I had a few times before I left at around 70 mph. let off the gas, then return the gas, to feel this nice jerk/ thud my truck made.

Of course this will happen once my ext. warranty runs out but that seems to be my luck. On top of those costly repairs I have the famous spark plugs to change.

I don't get it, I always change the oil every 3K miles with motorcraft 5W-20 and their OEM filter. Plus I don't abuse that truck at all!!

So needless to say I'm really excited right now with Ford. I was seriously considering buying a new escape once I got back for the wife but now I think I should look somewhere else. We had two lemons from Ford back in 97 for their mustangs maybe I should have learned then.

I just hope that truck makes it until I get back!


2004 F-150 lariat 4X4 5.4 triton with 87K on the ticker.

 

I'd unload it and buy a Chevy or Toyota. I had the cam phaser problem under warranty and Ford refused to address it. 3 years later I'm moving to TX and it let loose on me in the middle of nowhere and cost me $8K. Destroyed the block (2 cylinders gouged so bad it couldn't be bored and honed), two pistons and heads. Total BS. I was stranded and at their mercy and they refused to help me even though I had reported the concern on 3 different occasions while under warranty. I never abused the truck and always changed the oil @ 3K like you and have performed every service required at the correct mileage interval without exception. Now I'm stuck in this truck until it pays for itself (the new long block). Always been a Ford guy, owned several, but never again.

 

I love how as soon as something goes wrong with the vehicle, the whole brand of vehicles are crap. You have a couple of issues with the truck. As far as POS trition goes, it seems to be a very popular engine which I have never had a ton of issues with, 2V or 3V. yea the spark plugs stink to change, but how often do you actually change them? My Expedition just got them changed for the first time 10K miles ago, at 130K!

If you don't want the truck, send it my way. I will replace the parts that it needs for less than 1K and have a perfectly running truck.

 

There is no damage caused by noisey cam phasers. But since your truck is such a piece of crap, I'll buy it for $500. I'll be doing you a favor.

 

I'm not trying to talk bad about the truck because I really do love it. I can't crap money out for things like this. Sorry the government just doesn't pay me good enough. MY BAD!!
I just expected more.

@ Ford12508- No this is not the first problems we have had with Ford. My dad bought my sisters brand new mustangs 96 and 97 for their high school graduation. The 96 was deemed a lemon and the 97 had it's own problems and numerous problems at that. These were the basic v-6 mustangs automatics.. It's just Ford is leaving a really bad taste in my mouth right now.... I'm not trying to cry about it but just stating my experience with Ford so far.

@ Need4racin- C'mon $500? It's worth at least a grand... I've read that some say the noise is fine and others say it's bad? I don't know, but I will have to ride on these things until they blow out. I hope that the noise will not cause damage or lead to anything more sever.

And no I do not think my truck is crap but I do think otherwise about the motor in these trucks.

 

@Garo1
I unloaded my 06 Tacoma for this truck back in JAN 07.... I really like the truck and was hoping to have that reliability like the yota but I may have shot myself in the foot on this one.

Well If she does blow I'll have to see about putting that 5.0 in her since she will be paid off in DEC. That would be a nice little dream to have..LOL I can't even afford the phaser's

 

Face it, fanboys - the 5.4 3 valve was definitely not one of Ford's better efforts. I'd never own one, ESPECIALLY the first 2 years.

 

Nathan, have the plugs been changed? A rattling noise at a particular speed just does not sound like cam phasers to me. BTW, I have 135,000 on my 2005 5.4 and it's been a fantastic truck.

 

Hey Jim, no I the plugs are still the original one's. I honestly don't know what the noise is so I watched a few videos on youtube and it seems like it may be the phasers. It's like a rattling noise, so I thought it was the fan hitting something or the exhaust heat shields. Checked both of those over before I left, so I figure that there was a rock or something in the frame.. Idk

Don't get me wrong this truck has done everything I need it to. I just hate to see repairs this early when that truck gets so much TLC. Plus being half way around the world with a sick truck does not make my mind at ease. This is our DD and our family rig/ only car at the moment. I don't want the family stranded.

Any thoughts on the jerk/thud? Any advice would be awesome. This is why I love this forum, very helpful people for the most part.

 

You could have some misfiring going on due to the plugs. I would start there as they need to be done anyway.

 

Very true. That motor does have some TQ though.

 

Thanks Jim. That was my first thing to do on my list. I think they may be the culprit behind my jerk/thud issue maybe she is miss firing at that rpm/speed.

The motor seems smooth as glass running through the rpm's parked and at idle it doesn't hesitate at all. There is that lite ticking noise from the injectors but I figured that is just what they do and its normal noise. That yota had a louder tick from it's injectors and the dealer told me it was normal. So I didn't worry about it in the Ford.

 

It didn't sound quiet this bad but it is VERY similar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7q6u...eature=related

 

This is what my truck is doing Exactly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRTof9xKZT8

 

I been servicing a 05 5.4 since new, nothing but fl820s and motorcraft 5w20 every 5k miles for 94k miles and the cam phaser don't make any noise at all. That motor does use a quart of 5w20 MC oil every 2500 miles.