Ok here is the issue 2004 f150 fx4 5.4 3v

I bought the truck with 180K

terrible idle and ticking

started researching and figured out all the issues with these 5.4 3v

I got into it and went hard off the start replacing parts.

So Far
New spark plugs (8)
New cam phasers (2)
New Lifters (24)
New timing chains (2)
New timing chain rails (4)
New timing chain tensioners (2)
New timing chain lower sprocket (1)
New oil pump (1)
New water pump (1)
New VCT solenoids (2)
New Cam position sensors (2)
New coil packs (8) Accell
Fuel pump driver module (1)
and a fresh oil change with a motorcraft filter and Mobil 1 10w30.

Check engine went away and truck started running great!

roughly 6 months later ticking coming from driver-side phaser. replaced again ran great again.

6 more months later ticking from passenger-side phaser and CEL
p0012 p0174 p0340 all pointing to the phaser.

so basically im burning through phasers every 6 months

Ford mechanics whats your thoughts. this summer after the driver side phaser went again I started running 0w40 as recommended by a few ppl on here do to the high miles on my motor. currently 196k. but still burning through a phasers.

 

Did you use motorcraft phasers?

 

Aftermarket phasers do not last.

 

yeah they are Dorman Phasers from autozone.
If anyone has a link for a motorcraft phaser please post it. so far all I can find is dorman.

 

Accel coils probably aren't helping either

 

Call Tasca for the best price on Motorcraft phasers.

 

I know that Motorcraft phasers are pretty pricy but it sounds like many others say they are more reliable than the aftermarket ones, as the saying goes you get what you pay for.

 

the reason phasers go is the cam valleys are worn, and you are not getting the oil pressure needed. You have to change heads to get around the damage, not keep putting bandaids on the problem

 

The 3vs get a bad rap but they are honestly pretty good with proper maintenance. Neglecting oil changes will kill any engine. There are tons of 3vs that see 300k plus. What you have there is fault of the PO not the engine design. These engines are more susceptible to damage from lack of oil change simply because so many parts are operated on oil pressure. Your into the truck for a good price so putting a new motor in shouldn't be a huge concern if you can control the price.

 

Dorman stuff is crap. I bought a crate motor from Promar Engines. It was full of Dorman crap and I got 12,000 miles out of it before the chain tensioner and phaser failed. Ford filters and synthetic oil changed religiously. You should check the oil pressure with the engine cold and hot and then pull a cam journal to see how bad it is scarred. get rid of all the Dorman stuff with Ford stuff. I'm doing phaser lockouts. I'm not taking this apart again too much work.