Part two of the $1,900 into the Expedition and we're stalling (back story there). Ford got back to me. It is a solenoid issue (they think based on a bulletin). So beyond what this will cost for diagnosis (they have had it two days trying to figure it out). They said $1,300 to replace with updated solenoids.
However, if there is bearing wear then I need a new engine. That is $500 to diagnose (without replacing anything). I didn't think to ask what the new engine costs.

I feel like this is a lot of $$ but don't know? There are 8 minute YouTube videos with guys swapping these out (I didn't watch the whole thing, so maybe it took them longer. I'm also concerned they will come back and say new engine, we found sludge/wear.
113,000 mile 2005 5.4L Expedition.
I appreciate your input.

 

I just swapped my VCT solenoids out with new updated ones to reduce the famous phaser knock (it reduced the noise quite a bit!), and it cost me about $150 for a set of 2 including seals, genuine OEM parts from Ebay, and an hour of my time. You need some good prying tools to pry the seals out, they will be damaged when you pry them out so make sure you get a set which includes new seals. Then you need a long T27 screwdriver (1-piece tool ONLY, do NOT use a multi tool with a torx bit on the end! You'll risk dropping the bit inside the engine). Be careful when loosening the screw, and pull the solenoid out with the screw. It does have a catch feature to prevent the screw from falling out, but just be careful with it to make sure it stays with the solenoid.

 

on your 2005 the VCT solenoids are a very easy deal. i wouldn't pay anyone a dime to do them.

if you can get new seals, get them. i got my solenoids from the dealer, but the only way to get the seals was to buy a new valve cover, which was very expensive. i was just careful with the seals and was able to re-use them ... but they are marred up from getting them out.

the driver's side is a snap. 2 minute job once you get the seal out. the passenger's side is a little harder because of the AC lines in the way. i couldn't get my screwdriver in there (t27 as stated above) so i used a long shank t27 1/4" socket with a couple long extensions to get the socket wrench up past the AC lines so i could turn the wrench. as stated, a one piece arrangement is best, but i just taped the sockets together so they couldn't come apart.

if you just need solenoids .... it's worthwhile doing them yourself. mine were about $50 each, but i get a discount at the ford dealer and i didn't get seals which is worth something too. if i would have had new seals i could have gotten it done a lot quicker because i wouldn't have had to be careful with the old ones (which wasn't easy, they come out pretty hard).

 

On Ebay they have sets with genuine Ford solenoids and genuine seals for 120 dollars plus shipping, that's where I bought mine. International shipping made it 160 shipped, but a domestic order is probably significantly less than that.

The ones I bought was this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151623296108?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
but there's lots more sellers who sells them. Just verify that you have this style of seal, there's two different ones. These offset bigger seals allows the VCT solenoids to be replaced without removing the valve cover, the updated ones with centered holes are smaller and requires the valve covers to come off. I think they updated it in '07 so on the '05 it should be the old style.