So Sunday I took the time to replace both VCT Solenoids ony my '04. I'm sitting a little over 100k and she's still running good (knock on wood). All maintenance is completed or done well before the intervals. I have not had the knocking or power loss others of my year have had thankfully. I had read the the change out is easy on 04-06's and the solenoids are updated so I decided why the hell not.

I ordered the Dorman replacements from Amazon
and 2 new seals from Ford Parts Giant Part # 3L3Z-6C535-AA

The install is pretty straight forward. I unbolted the PS reservoir and moved it aside for the drivers side. The seals are a bit of a pain to pry up and I had bloody knuckles from hitting the PS bracket but no big deal. Just take your time and be patient. The solenoid itself is held on with one Torx bolt. Keep pressure on the bolt so it does not fall into the engine! The threads on the bolt held it firmly but I was very careful doing this! Swap the bolt to the new one, put some oil on the part of the solenoid that sits in the engine and bolt it back in. Put the seals on and make sure they seat fully and you are done. Took me around 40 minutes to an hour.

Here are some observations:

Truck seems quieter than before. I really just hear the injectors and it seems different.

I had noticed for a while when I would take my foot off the gas at times, the truck would do something weird with the throttle. It revved or something a hair and then lowered to idle speed. I can't describe it. Also, when gassing it hard I'd get a surge. All gone. I can't make either happen again and power feels much stronger. I'm surprised because I never felt it was "down" (other than needing a blower hehehe ). I have been putting my foot in it and she takes right off and pulls hard. For a little over $100 I'd call this a success. I'm starting to wonder if this is something that might be a good thing to do if you have a 5.4 3v with them right on the valve cover.

Here's a good link explaining the change out and their function. HSW

 

Yeah it is a good thing to change them. Many times people think they have cam phaser issues when it is just the solenoid(s). They can get plugged up.

 

I need to do this, Thanks for the links.

 

No problem! I think it's one of those things that is cheap insurance. Seems like a wear-out part anyways so why the heck not.

 

Another update. A bit over 100 miles on this change and man I'm so impressed. I can't even fathom how that part created that much of a power loss. It holds speed easier and once I get over 2k rpms the truck hauls. Between that and the renewed power from my Diablo Predator a few months ago, I have really been enjoying driving again.

 

so what are symptoms that would let me know if I need to do this ? I just hit over 100K.

 

Mine were a weird rev/stutter when taking my foot off the gas and a surge. I took a gamble and it worked out. Usually people with knocks at idle think it's cam phasers. I kept reading that this fixes those symptoms quite frequently

 

I just got my sct tuner and it woke the truck up a lot, but I have noticed before and after that when I let go of the gas or decrease the throttle % the truck seems to like bog down and fall on its face. does that sound like I might be in need of this? It almost feels like that it went into 4th gear too soon and the rpms are too low.;

 

I'm not sure but depending on the year and mileage, it might be a no brainer. I wish you guys could see the difference. I thought I was nuts at first. The redesign tells me they found that there was something left to be desired.

 

So 2007/2010 are under the valve covers? I would do this to make the truck alive again. Good information John!

 

Yes sir. That's the only thing holding me back from doing this. Even tho I really don't have any symptoms, other than my butt dunno getting used to going from a 2v to a 3v.

 

Does that mean you think your truck isn't pushing out the power and energy it should be?

I'm pretty happy with mine, custom tuned on 89 oct, intake & exhaust. Even with possibly original spark plugs. I drove a 5.0L Supercrew FX4 last week for the first time and punched it a couple times under throttle, it has quite some pick up but my truck feels pretty equivalent. Perhaps a tuned 5.0 will really be incredible!

 

Idk maybe. some days it runs good with full power and other days it feels a little sluggish.
I mean I'm def happy with mine. With the 3.73 i gotta make sure not to get on it to hard or the tires will spin. But top end doesn't seem that good. I'm new to the 3v I just don't know what to expect.

When i was looking for a new truck i test drove both 5.0 and eco. Couldn't remember the rear end gears but they both had more power than my current 2v, but only slightly faster than my 3v. 5.0 has more top end, Eco has more bottom end.