How can timing chain rattle if after market tensioners are installed?
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Colorado
UPDATE: Ok so I opened up the engine again. Found the passenger side Cam Phaser was completely broken (spring was off and was spinning loose). Chain had broken 2 of the timing guides on that same side. Reminder that this is the 2nd time I had replaced these phasers using after market (O'Reily parts). So I took the phasers back and now ordered OEM Ford phasers from Livernois with the lockouts installed. I need help on two things: 1. I am worried that the phaser failing caused the timing to be so far off that the engine is damaged - how can I tell or test? 2. Since there were broken guide parts, I need to drop the oil pan - How can I drop the pan (4X4 model) without dropping the front axle? Finally - should I replace the oil pump while I have the engine open since there is 220K miles on it? Thanks and the story continues.
- Check oil pressure using an accurate gauge (T-connection at the sender)
- If oil pressure is below 25 psi, you have a blockage in the inlet tube or the oil pump is going south. Use the oil pumps for the Ford GT; they are the best
- Pull the pan and remove any pieces of the broken plastic parts that may be caught in the screen
- Never use aftermarket phasers or chain tensioners. They are absolute junk (tons and tons of these being returned)
- Replace the chain tensioners with the STEEL ones from the earlier 5.4L engines
- Order the aluminum chain guides from MMR. They can be purchased here:
http://www.modularmotorsportsracing....g%20chains.htm - Only use Motorcraft oil filters and proper oil weight/viscosity, or expect the oil to drain back into the pan (or get stuck in the tiny oil channels), causing the phasers and/or tensioners to fail
I cannot stress the importance of proper oil pressure. Without the right pressure, the chain tensioners AND the phasers will fail, in as little as 1000 miles after replacement. If you don't take care of the low oil flow at the top of the engine, the Livernois kit will only mask the problem, and you could wind up with busted camshaft components or valve failure. These engines aren't cheep. They cost anywhere between $3500-$5000, not including installation.
Good luck with your repairs!
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2019
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Help
Could you solve that problem? it's happening to me exactly the same .. and I do not know what else to do .. my pressure is fine .. and change all the distribution including the phasers but that noise continues .. help. Greetings from Argentina
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2020
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Tensioner pulley
I replaced my tensioner pulley and now its tightly resting against my timing cover. As far as I can tell it's the correct pulley. I bought the Gates pulley. Does anyone know the correct number so I can reference it, or has anyone ran into this issue?
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 1
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Surging and fast accereleration
I have a 2005 f150 with the 5.4 Triton in it I have a code for bank one took off the intake to clean it was very dirty when I put the intake back on it was running rough and would fast accereleration of the motor and acted like it fell into neutral and wouldn't shift into last gear but if I took it off of overdrive it would go but still not shift into last gear can I please get someone to help me or some advise thank you
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2020
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Your problem is obvious. STOP using aftermarket timing kits. They r all junk.
Hi all - my 2005 F150 5.4l 3V keeps rattling on startup only - goes away when oil pressure builds up. I have been in the engine 3 times now. Replaced the phasers and complete timing set first time. Second time, rattle started and one of the new phasers went out - replaced phaser and re-timed. Last time, rattle started up again and I opened the engine and replaced the stock tensioners (plastic) with after marker cast iron ratchet style tensioners. The darn thing still rattles on start up! I noticed when timing the engine and manually turning the crank that the slack in the chain seemed to be between the phaser and the crank sprocket on the OPPOSITE side of the tensioner. So I am at a loss for what to do! Rattle is loud for 3 secs until pressure build then engine is quiet and runs great. How can I have slack when the after marker tensioners have ratchets that don't allow backing off when sitting cold? Weird - I know. 
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2021
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So a new symptom appeared today. The rattle was a bit louder when starting today and now the truck idles rough and dies with code P0340. I have chased this problem before. I suspect the timing is off one tooth or that there may be a problem with the cam phasers and the timing. It is not the sensor as I have been down that road before. When this happened before and I opened up the front of the engine to retime and replace the tensioners, I hoped this was the end. Something is causing the rattle and then the timing to be off. I know this is tough and I have read 100s of post on phasers, timing tooth jump, and rattle at start up (seems to be a common problem) and as stated in the original post, I replaced and serviced all the timing parts. I must be missing something - I need everyone to give me any thing I can test or try please. Thank you