Hello, first time poster, but been lurking as I've been thinking about joining the Ford truck ownership group. I've been looking at a few trucks in my budget. One that I am looking at is a very clean, nice 2010 from a private owner, with a good maintenance history - as in, the records are very good. Problem is that the check engine light is on. Codes are 345 and 349. Dealer says it needs VCT solenoids and timing chain. I can negotiate the price for those things, but here is my concern - I've read that the problem with these engines isn't fixed by changing out the solenoids or the timing chain and that ultimately they will just tell you that you need a new engine, which is not something I am bargaining for. I have read that's true for some of the early 2000's models, but thought they had fixed that problem in the 2009 model and up. I'm going to take it to get a second opinion. I already called one shop that said they won't throw good money after bad so didn't take it in there. All used cars are a crapshoot, but I don't want one that even if fixed isn't really fixed. If you can help, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

 

Ford had a few issues with some of the earlier VCT solenoids. They say that the newer parts are an upgrade and better part than the original. If the truck has a lot of miles on it I would suggest another opinion. It is not out of the ordinary for a timing chain to be replaced in some cases.

 

Thanks. I will. I am mainly interested in whether, like the older models, this is just a step toward the grave for the thing. It has 96K on it, which really shouldn't be that much for a truck engine. However, I hear the earlier 2000's model engines would soon be done after this problem started. Will check it out and see.

 

If you haven't made a deal with the current owner yet you should consider asking them if they would go ahead and have the service and repair work performed and allow you to have it mechanically inspected. These are the thing you would end up paying for anyhow if you took the chance yourself and bought the 2010 F150. If the original owner agrees, you can add that cost of repair to the agreed selling price. That way the truck will supposedly be fix, you will know by then if he truck is going to be in a serviceable condition and the seller would still get what the agreed price was.

 

I've already worked out that deal, so I am not concerned about that. Mainly, I am worried about buying a headache. It seems like the early 2000 models, according to what I've read here, folks never could get the issue fixed and ended up with a recommendation for a new motor. The 2010 is still the 5.4, so I was mainly trying to figure out if Ford fixed the issue by 2010.

 

The 5.4 isn't one of the favorite engines for various reason. I bought a new 2010 and opted for the 4.6 engine and glad I did. Other members here with an earlier 5.4 may chime in here with a few comments. I it were me I would steer away from the 5.4.

 

I had a 5.4 in a 2003 F250 Lariat, no problems at all. But I traded it in with about 70,000 miles.

 

In my opinion, if the timing chain needs to be replaced then the cam phasers should be replaced as well as the VCT solenoids. More expensive yes but then you'll eliminate future internal well known issues.

 

Stay away from the 5.4 why? Can you elaborate on this? We have many 5.4 fleet trucks still in service where I work with a few hundred thousand miles on them. I got out of a problem child 6.0 diesel and figured the 5.4 was a safe bet since it had been in use 14 years at that point. I did buy mine brand new, however

 

The 5.4 has it's known issues, so he's not out of line here.

Plugs, exhaust manifolds, Cam phasers, VCT solenoids..etc I work on a fleet of them as well, they keep me busy.

 

Absolutely.

 

I wasn't suggesting he was out of line, just wondering what I need to look out for going forward. All engines have their own set of issues, thanks for giving me an idea what mine might be