Last week had a problem with my 04. Got own it to pass someone and about a mile down the road the engine started knocking and running rough. Took it to dealer to have them check it out. They came back with wrong oil filter and sludge build up. It was running codes (P001, P0021, P0340, P0345) whichis related to cam. The truck has 112,000 miles on it. Was told they needed to teardown front of engine to find out what is wrong($850.00 labor) then see what is needed(could be $2000.00).I have been to this dealer before and was told I needed new TBI, went home and sprayed it with TBI cleaner and ran perfect, so I'm a little leary of dealership answers. Decided to try another dealer 2nd oppinion. They came back and said I needed new engine($6200). Saw Tech who checked out my truck (note I did not say "Mechanic") I asked him wat was going on. He told me ther was sludge build up, I ask him what was broke in engine. Nothing he said, then why do I need a new engine (sludge build up).What have I done since then I ran engine flush through it changed oil put correct filter on and drove it. It still has a slight knock at idle but runs fine.I thought I'd drive it a week and change oil again. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. New engine out of the ?

 

the knocking your hearing at idle may be the cam phasers. there common for the 5.4 3v.

 

Had codes cleared and the check engine light has not come again. It seems to happen(really rough running and hard knocking)after I've got on it.

 

I went to a doctor one time, and I said, "doctor, it hurts when I do this." His answer back to me was "don't do that." That truck has most likely been ridden hard and put away wet. It's now time to baby it unless you want to buy a new engine that will cost you more than the truck is worth.

 

Thats just it I never get on it, I do pull a trailer with lawnmowers during the week. Yeah thats not exactly easy on it, but the engine probably never hardly see's 3000 rpms.Now road hard and put up wet was the 82 Z28 that I put over 200,000 miles own and never went into the engine. I drove it like I stole it(18 to 29),but then again it was a Chevy. By the way what should cam phaser replacement run?

 

I got a quote for my 04... $500-$600 in parts, 6.2 hrs labor. I'm quite comfortable inside OHC engines. I think I'll do it myself. I also have a sludge issue I'm currently researching Auto Rx oil additive http://auto-rx.com/index.html I've heard good things. Its a little pricey, but worth a shot. Any first hand experience would be helpful, thanks.