Hey there,

I have a 2005 Expedition I've put a few miles on. Started getting the ticks and eventual diesel sound so I replaced the vct's and eventually the whole timing kit. i did go with a highly rated, affordable kit but found out the hard way that at the very least i should have bought oem phasers. my better decision was the melling m360. Now that i'm looking at replacing parts again im getting new oem phasers and considering lockouts to just avoid the eventual phaser tick that comes from even the ford ones. I've heard there are 2 ways to handle the lockouts, either reprogram or just disconnect the vct's and ignore the engine light. i wouldnt be able to pass emissions with the engine light on. I was wondering though if anyone in an emissions state (like me in TX) has had issues with passing after reprogramming for the lockouts.

For anyone that has done timing on these engines you'll understand why I dont want to have to go through this again in the next couple years.

I am aware of the slight performance loss and potential mpg hit, im not really concerned about that though, this is a family hauler and i drive like an old man.

 

For anyone that might be interested, according to a shop near me it will pass emissions no prob in tx with the tune. now I need to figure out if it's worth the cost of new phasers, the lockouts, and the tune.

 

Before you do this, drive it around for a few days with the VCT solenoids unplugged and see if you are happy with the performance.

Ive found them to feel like they are completely gutless with the VCT disabled. Top end power remains the same, but low end torque suffers dramatically.

 

Hey @hexbolt , what did you end up doing? How's the performance with the phasers locked out?

 

I have done the lock outs on two expos now. Both of them I had great success with. I noticed minimal power loss. It still has far more off the line power than my 03 2v. Worth the sacrifice to not have to go in and do the job again in 50k. Especially considering its just mamas taxi.

The first one I did was for my inlaws. They ran it until it wouldn't run anymore, and then tried to run it some more. The original phasers were in pieces internally. My father in law did not want to spend the money on motorcraft, so he got doorman. less than a year later I was back in there. He spent the money on the lockout kit the 2nd time around and ran it until it was time for a new motor. New motor has the upgraded pump and provided they don't run it dry of oil again, should give them many years of service.

The 2nd one was the wifes expo. Did them first time in and never looked back.

 

i realize this is a dead post by now. lots of life has happened. never did the lockouts. poor truck has been sitting for a while. needs some tlc to get it back up and at that point i might revisit this again.