2006 Exp EB 4x4 All options except air susp and nav. 164k miles

I had a recurring P0012 code and a rough idle. I came to the conclusion that it was the VCT Solenoid because my issue would stop when it was unplugged. So I replaced them with Ford replacements today. After going for a drive it was all better for the first couple miles. Then it started running worse than before. The CEL flashes while driving. I pulled over to read the code and it says P0303 misfire in cyl #3. It also is still giving a P0012 code. Heck it was running way better BEFORE the new parts. Prior to doing the VCTS's I did two oil and filter changes within 250 miles. So it is fresh oil and a fresh filter. I will swap the CP on #3 with another one and see if it moves. But what is with this P0012 code? The engine runs nice and quiet except for the misfire and rough idle. No tapping or knocking noises of any kind.

 

Update: I pulled the #3 cp and it was covered in oil. Odd considering I can't find a leak anywhere. I cleaned it and swapped it with the cp in #1 and it is running much better.

The p0012 is still occuring. A noise has also developed. It is a ticking noise coming from the front of the pass side valve cover. I listened my stethoscope and I can't exactly determine the cause. The sound is most prevalent when I touch the rod of the stethoscope to the forward most valve cover bolt. It doesn't scream chain slap, but could be. I'm wondering if it could be the phaser. Can it get "stuck" in a retarded timing position somehow? And why this ticking noise all the sudden? The motor was sounding nice and quiet before I changed the vct solenoids.

 

My guess would be the cam phaser on the passenger side has gone bad. Time for the whole works. Timing chain & guide kit, phasers, oil pump. Drop the oil pan if the tensioners are broke up and clean out the oil pump intake screen. About $3k unless you do the work yourself.

 

I was thinking that too. I sent my bore scope down the oil filler tube today. The amount of SLUDGE inside this engine is deplorable. I'm wondering what this expy is worth in parts. I decided to change the oil to some good ol rotella 15w40 conventional to see if it will clean it up some. I let it warm up and took a 10 mile round trip to town. It ran a whole lot better. Still ticking, but sounds like it is from a location now. Will have to look into it more. Considering the amount of sludge, I'm not ready to throw any more parts at it. Unless I can reduce it by running diesel conventional. I will change it to a lighter weight oil soon but I always have rotella 15w40. Oh and still throwing a p0012 code

 

Yeah it'll throw that 0012 code till the phaser is replaced at a minimum. If the rest of the Expy is in good shape, might be worth throwing a new motor in it if you're gonna keep it. Or just do the repair yourself.

 

You can also get diesel oil in 10w30 with Delo XLE oil.

Diesel oil will definitely clean the engine but it will take a while and a few changes.

The main thing you have to worry about is cleaning too fast and the oil pickup screen stopping up. Change oil and filter as soon as the oil gets dark. If you don't change the filter it will clog and begin bypassing dirty oil throughout the engine.

Run the engine farther after each change. When most of the worst crud is cleaned off, run the engine a good distance so everything can get nice and hot so the remaining crud will clean up.

I switched to diesel oil when I first bought my Dodge V10. The first oil change the oil filter weighed a ton from all the crud. Now after a few oil changes, the engine looks like new inside.

 

I watched that 2 part series some time ago when I started shopping for a 2nd gen expy. Definitely within my scope of ability.

Didnt know Delo had a 10w30. Thanks, I'll check that out.

 

I ordered my Delo XLE 10w30 from Walmart. It appears the price has increased on oil some.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Chevron-D...SABEgLf_vD_BwE

 

A little late to the party, but curious how long you’ve had this vehicle.

Very interesting to know how this turns out.

the 5.4 3v does not like dirty oil. Can cause the exact problems you are experiencing as the small passages to the phasers get blocked.

I agree with the recommendations above to try and clean it up slowly. Dislodge a bunch of sludge too quickly and it will plug up your new VCT solenoids along with everything else.

the service history would be interested to know. On my 2006 I ran a lot of 10,000 mile oil changes but always with the best synthetics I could find and backed them up with oil analysis to know the motor was happy. 10k on conventional oil is probably not recommended.