OK, Just bought a used 2010 F150 XLT from a private party. When I first started it, I listened for engine noises but didn't hear anything unusual. Bought it from the guy. Next morning I went to start it and the passenger side valve cover was clattering like crazy. A few seconds later the noises went away. I guess the guy I bought it from started the engine before I got there so I wouldn't hear the clatter. So I've been all over Youtube studying this situation. Apparently some lifters on that side have collapsed. Oil pressure gauge reads normal. So I guess I'm going to have to replace some rollers and lifters. Now I'm an old school "don't fix it if it ain't broke" kinda dude. Is it considered acceptable to replace the collapsed lifters and roller followers, on the affected passenger side? Or do I bite the bullet and buy the whole kit? Or can I get by with just replacing the defective ones? Truck has 170k miles on it, but doesn't smoke at all, but I really don't want to spend a fortune on an engine that old.
Also, on the driver's door jam there's a sticker that says at one point somebody installed a cam phaser noise repair kit from a company called Livernois. I'm sure that doesn't have anything to do with my lfter/follower noises, but I gotta ask anyway. Can it?

 

Quite possibly, yes. That lockout kit is a bandaid and a poor one at that. The big issue when the tensioner seals give out is the loss of oil pressure to the phasers, which gets them clacking. Some folks enjoy their newfound 5.4 PowerStroke a little too long and the oil pump pickup gets clogged from the destroyed timing chain guides. Now, you have valve train wear from oil starvation. This is where you are at. I’d pop both valve covers and possibly prepare for an engine swap altogether.

 

Thanks Johnny, that's a real bummer. I have a 97 Expedition with a 5.4 2 valve with 272k miles on it and its still running strong. Thought I read somewhere that the 2010 5.4's had all the bugs worked out. Obviously not. Thanks.

 

Well there is no lifters in these engines. There is lash adjusters. Whoever install the phaser lockout kit also robbed you of 25% minimum power. The noise you are probably hearing is from lack of oil pressure on start. I would bet this thing needs a full proper timing job along with upgraded oil pump.

 

Thanks ford390..., I just drained the pan and stuck my borescope up in there and the pan and oil pickup screen are clean. Don't see any plastic chunks anywhere in there. Now I want to find a Ford mechanic, preferably not at a stealership that can check her out for me and give me some options. New timing set and a Melling oil pump and better tensioners might be worth it. Truck is pretty rust free, Just a little bubbling on the driver side rocker. Piece a cake. It has all new upper and lower ball joints, springs, shocks and all that. Even the sway bar links have zerks. Never seen that before. Brand new Fuel Off Road wheels and new tires Even has a very recent looking drive shaft with actual zerks in the u-joints. And new brakes and rotors too. Only thing that doesn't work is the license plate lights..Glad I still have my Expedition though. Talked the dude down to 7500 cash for it and still feel screwed. I'll never learn.

 

Well 7500.00 is a pretty good deal these days. Its also a great sign that the oil pickup is clean. Sounds like a full timing job with oem parts and ditching the lock outs are in order. Finding a competent qualified person to do the repair is the issue mostly. I have had so many trucks towed from other shops to me to fix because they couldn't get the cams timed. Its not a bad or hard job but its time consuming and you need to be methodical. Simple omissions in the sequence of repair compound into hours wasted in the end.

 

Couple of good vids to watch if you want to know more. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...9CAv-veTUzxQga

 

I'd love to upgrade to a Melling HV oil pump, but that's just a bit outside of my comfort zone. I just don't have anyone I trust to do that job. Any Makuloco type shops in Oregon?