I've been looking for an older truck just to use on weekends and yesterday I found a great looking 2004 F-150. It has 112,000 miles on a 5.4 engine. The truck drives greats and seems to run fine but after driving it for a few miles I noticed it sounded like a diesel at idle. The guy that owns the truck says that is normal for this engine. After reading what I can on these forums I'm thinking it must be the cam phasers.

My question, is this noise is hurting the engine and will it eventually fail because of it?
I could live with the noise but don't want to buy something that is going to cost me a bunch in the near future. It seems some people say it doesn't hurt anything and others say it does so I'm hoping to get some opinions on whether this would keep you from buying the truck or not?

Thanks
Bill

 

I've heard both, that it will and that it won't. I have the same problem as well. But I purchased the cam phaser lockouts from livernois. I still haven't installed them due to needing a custom tune, and I have a gryphon which does not have s tune for these yet. I also have heard that some people were replacing the cam phasers and noticed slack in the timing chains. Took the timing cover off and the guides were worn or chipped. So I have also purchased a replacement kit from napa. Got that Friday and haven't had time to check it or install it if needed.

But I guess to answer you, some what, I've been ticking for over 20k miles and it still runs fine.

 

I just replaced mine last week and its a 2005 with the 5.4. Mine was the same scenario the truck ran smooth just sounded like a diesel. the cam phasers make it sound like a new truck. other known problems for these trucks were the catalytic converters and the plugs breaking. Ford said it can cause timing issues and the guide rod can end up in the oil pan, I probably could have kept driving it awhile longer but with a new baby on the way having a vehicle go down wouldnt be worth the risk. Mine also had the sound at the time I purchased it so if you bought it despite the sound trust me you will love it more when its right. Ford did mine for 1800 which is pretty common I had quotes from 1200 to 1800 ford being the highest. and you only get a 12000 mile or 12 month warranty. They told me it would take a couple days and it ended up being a little over a week due to the volume of work they had to do but they gave me a 2011 f150 on loan. I love the way it sounds now and it does seem to have a little more power but thats my run in with cam phasers.

 

if they used the proper 5w20 weight oil, there shouldn't be any cam phaser issues.

 

I personally would never buy a used 3V with noisy phasers unless you plan on spending 2 grand to make everything right. I would also pull a valve cover and if it's sludged, take a pass.

 

In not sure used is the problem. My truck was "used" when I got it, I used the "correct weight 5w20 oil" and mine still started knocking. Just like my moms old cougar with the gt v8, the intake cracked on its own. Did ford cover it? No not til after she forked out her $ to fix it and then refused to compinsate her. It's a **** poor design flaw in some that ford should man up to. But no we will just sit back and collect$ for now !