Hey all,
I'm new to the forms always looking. But mostly on the diesel sites. Well long story short I picked up a 01 F250 XL with the 5.4. I only bought it because it was cheap like 300.00 and the body has no rust and is in great shape. The guy was selling because he want to 3 mechanics and got 3 different answers on what's wrong. One said spark plugs and changed them and the coils "apparently" the other said the moto is shot, and the third said the cam is shot.. I know my way around trucks especially diesels. But I can't figure this one out. There were about 4 codes for coil packs after I looked 2 were unplugged and all looked really old maybe one was replaced.. The truck runs very rough, and bogs down at ideal and will occasionally stall. I also noticed a load ticking noise I'm figuring the cam phaser but there is also a loud air leak sound, sounds like it's coming from right on top the engine. Precious pwner said it was leak tested and some things were replaced but honestly looks like not much was done. I was thinking on doing 8 spark plugs not sure brand and 8 MSD coil packs and see what happens from there, but the ticking noise is very load almost sounds like a bad rocker.. But I don't know these engines so I figured someone could point me in the right direction on where to start.. Thanks

 

Ok truck seems to run "ok" but there are obvious issues if I can figure out how to upload a video I will but I am getting P0171 code as the only code..?? Anyone!!

 

p171 and p172 indicates vacuum leaks...prime suspect is the elbow on the back side of the intake that leads to the PCV. & maybe the small lines that go behind the battery..that said the vacuum leaks can be anywhere...maybe even in the plastic intake manifold, if so equipt

don't believe that you have cam phazer...(that was in the 3v version, next gen)...you should have just a 2v, no phazers there. yes some experience the cam followers ( rockers if you will), go bad. more experience that the timing chain guides/ tensoners wear out or break...they can shave that wear plastic into the oil pan and restrict/clog the oil pickup screen

check over the exhaust manifolds....might have a crack or broken bolt/s...that can make pretty good racket at times too. I got a rust off bolt head on mine right now, some times it sounds fine a & others times it has a pretty good tick

 

Here check the video tell me what you think

 

225BA6B3-6FD1-4A37-A767-67F237E071.mp4 Video by Jdawg965 | Photobucket

 

Just guessing...sounds like you might have both intake and exhaust leaks.

Also might have blown spark plug?, not the end of the world if that is the case...it can be fixed with Time sert... no heili coil

I'm inclined to try a compression check 1st on all cylinders....it'll give you a general indication of the health of each cylinder. If you have new plugs to go in anyway, that would be perfect time to do it.

 

Yea I bought the truck cheap, to fix up and use as a back up.
I am going to replace all spark plugs, and coil packs. I was thinking of doing the intake gaskets. The ticking noise is the only thing that scares me but like you said could be a blown spark plug. Not sure where to start,?

 

This is where I'd start