Hello everyone, first off, thank you in advance for hopefully reading my thread. It will probably get long.

I am by no means a mechanic and have very little knowledge of engines and how they work, though I am somewhat mechanically inclined.

I have a 2004 F150 5.4L 3V supercrew, Lariat 4x4 with about 90k miles on it. Last week, the truck ran fine, no problems. Then one day, I started it, and it had a really rough idle, like truck shaking idle. When I accelerated, it cleared up fine running around town. Also, when I raised the RPMs above 1000, it was fine. Then, eventually the Check Engine Light came on and stayed on.

I then had it on he highway, going up a hill and at about 45mph, lightly press on the gas, it starts bucking and acting like it is missing. Push the gas a little harder and it clears up. Also, took the overdrive off and it didn't do it nearly as bad though it still was a little rough.

I was near a Ford dealership so I ran it there to see what they said. Of course they throw it on the computer and say, "well, based on the code were seeing it's either a phaser issue or a timing chain/assembly issue." I asked for the code report and he came up with some excuse about the mechanic now being gone and he didn't have it.

I asked home much that would cost and they said roughly $2000 parts and labor. And I said, are you guaranteeing that will fix it and hey said no. So, $110 later, I left to decide what to do. I limped the truck (I know, bad idea) to my local mechanic.

So far, he is stumped. Though he hasn't apparently spent much time with it. It is giving him a Code of P0012 - Intake Camshaft Position Overretarded - Bank 1.

I've done quite a bit of reading but not sure of everything lining up for my situation. So far, I'm thinking the best route is to start with the VCT Solenoids? It seems that's the cheapest/most likely option. I read somewhere that if you swap the VCT Solenoids the P0012 code should go to a P0022, confirming it's the VCT Solenoid. If it doesn't change, it's possibly the phasers on the bank 1 side?

It sounds like after that, it could be a number of more serious issues, i.e. jumped timing, busted timing rails, needing to change all plugs and/or coils, motor sludge, etc.

So, I guess that is where I am at. Any help, suggestions or ideas on what I may be experiencing would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you again.

 

At 90k, I'd start with a new set of spark plugs.

 

Thank you for your response.

Replacing all of them? Isn't that a much more intensive job than the VCT Solenoid(s)?

My problem is I don't have the tools for taking on most of these jobs, which means I'm paying someone else to do it. Which, if that's what it takes, that's what it takes.

Also, if it were plugs, wouldn't it be throwing more codes than just the P0012?

Thanks again for your help.

 

Your plugs should have been changed at 60k, you are overdue unless they have been replaced.

 

Today my 2007 Ford F150 5.4L Truck with 70k miles made a clicking sound (Like a diesel engine) when started up and the Truck shook while at idle. When took past 1000 RPM it settled out. The Check Engine Light also came on. Took it to auto part shop and had computer diagnostic done. This resulted in three codes. P0012: Variable Cam Timing over retarded bank 1. P0022: Variable Cam Timing over retarded bank 2. P0300: Cylinder misfire detected (The service rep wrote down Cylinders 2,3 & 4). Went to look at the VCT solenoids and the drivers side one under the Powertrain Filler had oil all around it indicating a leak of some sort. I get the trucks oil changed every 3-5000 miles and in fact was going to drop it off for an oil change on Monday before this popped up since it is due. Any ideas on most likely problem?