I pulled the vct solenoid out of my 2004 5.4 f 150 3 valve yesterday and it looks like the bottom of the solenoid (the end that goes down in the engine) is gone. I can see the spring. There is no plate with a snap ring. It's a Dorman solenoid I think(has wings on it). Thru a P0020 P0021. Does anyone know what kind of damage could occur and where the ring and plate would end up? Should I chase it or forget it?

 

Please allow me to introduce myself. I have been a member here since 2014. I never really posted here before because I could always find the answers I was looking for by the search function. I'v spent many hours just enjoying different posts and conversations. Most of what I have learned has come from you guys and Makuloco on youtube. I don't have much money and I try to do as much as I can myself. So far it has worked out very well thanks to you guys. I apologize for being silent all these years mostly due to shyness.
I'm very concerned about where this snap ring and little washer looking thing could wind up and what kind of damage I could look forward to if I replace the solenoid and continue driving. I need my truck for work because I am considered Essential personal which I think might be a nice way of saying Expendable personal LOL.

 

Interesting question. Sent me off studying. Initially I would have said it would be caught by the screen filter in the VCT Valve body. (There is a screen in it that looks a lot like the screen on the bottom of VCT solenois. And I think it is removable / replaceable).

But upon studying the attached oil flow diagram - I am of the opinion it went down the oil drain back into the pan - where it will sit harmlessly or be trapped in the Oil Pump pickup screen.

But certainly with the guts of the spool valve missing - I can understand you would have over retarded codes and probably chain rattle because there would be no oil pressure for the chain tensioner.

 

I would agree with you as well on this. Likely the little bits are all down in the oil pan but no way to know really without dropping the pan and looking. I've never used the doorman one, Ford issued an updated VCT valve for those 3v motors and I'd use those above the aftermarket ones. I've heard many stories of the aftermarket ones failing early, etc, but not a failure like what has been described.

Would love to see a pic of how it failed

 

Thanks for the piece of mind. I still have the old one and will try to post a
picture of it. I just picked up a inspection cam a

whole bottom end blown out
nd next oil change I plan to take a peek before I drop the pan. Replaced both with Ford ones. When I say plate it's more like a small washer with a snap ring

 

WOW thats crazy...thanks for sharing a pic of that! GOod on picking up an endoscope. I bought one from amazon recently that works with my computer and my phone...super handy to have!

 

Yea $36.00 on amazon downloaded program to phone works great. Peeking down drains and pipes so far. its fun. next time I pull plugs gonna peek in cylinders. Places my eyes have never have explored before. Lets
keep it clean.... LOL. Well I guess I have great oil pressure for that to happen

 

I have a 2006 F-150 with 222,000 Miles. I just replace the VCT Solenoids today on it. When I got one of them out and looked at it the screens on the bottom of the solenoid werent there, which means they are somewhere in my engine. Been having a problem with the RPMs dropping when its in gear and stopped down to the 3802-430s. This can cause it to stall when I have the wheel cut all the way and I tap the throttle from a dread stop. The truck stalls and the Low Oil Pressure warning lamp comes on but then it fires right back up and the warning lamp goes right away. I would rather have the screens fall into the engine than the c-clip and the plate...

 

I know this is two years later, but I’ve had the same thing happen with my dorman VCT. Your picture is identical to my missing plate and snap ring. Have you had issues since they have disappeared off into the system? I will be replacing mine with the new ford VCT solenoids

 

Never had an issue with the lost piece. I have since done timing ,roller followers and lifters Replaced 1 cam. dropped pan for oil pump and was keeping my eyes out for it. never saw a trace of it. must have been eaten.