I have read many of the post here over the years and never bothered to register, so thanks for all the great info, and my apologies for not doing it sooner. I have a problem and need some help. Here is what happened, and what I done:

I have a 2005 F150 Lariat 5.4 4x4. 88K miles. This poor truck has like 400 TSB's out on it. Regardless, started running ruff out of the blue, no check engine light at first. I had a local repair shop look at it, all he did was start it, and he says I need a new engine. BS. I own 4 Fords, and two have 200K miles on them. I limp it into the Dealer. $400 worth of "Dianostic testing", they say, yes I need a new engine, too expensive to just repair it. Something to do with Cam Phasers and intigrated oil pump, resulting in damaged followers,tensioners, cams, journals, heads, ect. I ask, so what can Ford do for me, since from what I have read, this is known problem. Dealer says "buy a new truck". Can't afford that, and I have rebuilt dozen motors, so i'll do it myself. Of course the first thing was the crappy 2005 phasers (Ford should have recalled this). In the process, I discover (keep in mind, I baby this truck and the second it started running rough I parked it, and likely avoided the typical blown up phaser damage). Everything was clean, no sludge, cam mic'd spec, looked nearly new, was rather impressed. However, Since I had to change phaser anyway I did new phasers and actuators, new tensioners, timing chains, guides etc. (I understand why they said new engine, the shop time would have been the killer on all this work).

Truck started right up, so far so good......nope, soon as it warmed up, it went right back to the same problem running like crap, stalling at stops, turns, just as rough as before and no power. So, whats left to replace?

I start with VCT's both of them to be safe, reset computer, checked fuel pump and filters, and even checked cat converter for possible blockage. Figure the VCT's are it, since I did get a 2022 code. Starts perfect again, then it warms up again, and the same old same old.

Ok, the phaser run on oil preasure, maybe thats the probelm. Let check it. Removing the sender wasn't to bad, puting the fitting in for the preasure gauge was a complete and total bi-otch, I had to remove the power steering pump just so my had would fit to get it started, but this is what I got: Cold Engine start up preasure 68, rpms at idle 750, rev'd to 2000, preasure to 74. Preasure constant until engine heat up....(not having a temp gauge, I'll discribe the internal cab gauge). At the 1/4 temp mark, preasure was 60, rpms at idle 650 rev'd rpms 2000, 72. At the half way mark, the usual place for my gauge to sit with a hot engine, (note: the engine was beginning to sound a tad rough again, but no load) preasure was 40 at 500 rpms, and rev'd to 2000 rpms with preasure to 68. Considering Oil viscosity, I expect a drop in preasure as oil thins. This is where I am at. Any opinions one what to do next? Thanks a bunch.

 

I assume you have changed plugs? If so, what plugs are you running? Has the trottle body been cleaned? This are basic but that is where I start.

 

Also, have you done a compression check? Don't remember reading of one.

 

Thanks for the replies. I am running NGK spark plugs, and they are new. I have considered the possibility of a bad coil on one of the plugs, but the last diagnostic I had on the truck did not indicate any electrical problem, it was all timing codes, likely caused by the now replaced phasers. I have experienced the gap on a distributor cap increasing (old school engines) and causing it to run rough when it heated up, but have not yet encountered that with a newer electronic ignition engines.

Compression checks spec good on all 8.

 

Seems as if I recall that those plugs can be a problem for these engines. Did the problem start prior to the plug change? Do a search in the forums for discussion of those plugs. Motorcraft has been the best choice.

 

NGK does not make spark plugs for a 5.4 3 valve.

 

I first thought that but figured I was mistaken.

 

What was that you said Blue? Thought I was wrong once in my life, but then I found out I was mistaken...