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relative compression test tolerance on 5.4L engine

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Old May 24, 2021 | 12:41 PM
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relative compression test tolerance on 5.4L engine

What is the allowed tolerance of relative compression test? My 08 F250 5.4L has intermittent rough idle trigger by code P0012 and P0022. I took to a ford dealer and they told me cylinder 2 has 9% lower than other on relative compression test. They advised to replace engine with new harness. Is 9% low compression out of spec tolerance. I thought typical error is 10% but I am not sure why they advised me to replace new engine with 9% lower on compression
 
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Old May 24, 2021 | 01:20 PM
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How many miles is on your truck? Maybe your timing chain is getting stretched, your cam senser(s) are off.
 
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Old May 24, 2021 | 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Gyppo Logger
How many miles is on your truck? Maybe your timing chain is getting stretched, your cam senser(s) are off.
106K miles.
 
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Old May 24, 2021 | 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by roboford
106K miles.
Maybe not on the timing chain, did you or has someone checked your cam sensors?
 
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Old May 24, 2021 | 01:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Gyppo Logger
Maybe not on the timing chain, did you or has someone checked your cam sensors?
I replaced two cam sensors. I suspected VCT solenoid but dealer didn't check it and didn't think it was the cause.
 
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Old May 24, 2021 | 02:23 PM
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No help but FTM shows the relative compression screen here

 
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Old May 24, 2021 | 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by WWR
No help but FTM shows the relative compression screen here

https://youtu.be/zdWG9n3kcbk
Mine has 9% off on Cylinder 2. Not sure if this is the root cause. Attachment is the test result provided by dealer
 
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File Type: pdf
Compression.pdf (90.8 KB, 188 views)
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Old May 24, 2021 | 04:01 PM
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Yeah 9% doesn't seem like enough to warrant a new engine. I've driven plenty of (pushrod) V8's that were, say, 105 and 125 on different cylinders for years and no problems but a theoretical (and likely practical) loss of power.
 
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Old May 24, 2021 | 05:54 PM
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9% isn't cause for concern.

Find a mechanic who knows how to troubleshoot the 5.4L 3V engine.
 
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Old May 25, 2021 | 12:04 AM
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Here is the invoice and their recommendations. Replacing engine with new harness is the only option they will do. No other repair they will perform. I did measure compression on 3 cylinders and below is the result
#1: 210 (dry), 245(wet)
#2: 125( dry), 130 (wet)
#4: 195 (dry, 225(wet)
any expert here can make comments whether the engine is a concern?
 
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Old May 25, 2021 | 12:24 AM
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Not sure where the 9% value comes from but the problem appears more severe reading their description and looking at the relative compression pdf. Thing is, everything they suspect is almost surely true -- it's a 3V

I was faced with a similar situation with my '08 F350 V10 and made the best decision-- walk away and buy an '11+ with the 6.2.

That said, since it's still running you might get away with a timing set only if the roller followers and cams are not yet damaged as they suspect they are.

Worst case, I'd get a second opinion from a reputable shop familiar with Ford 3V's
 
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Old May 25, 2021 | 03:26 PM
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A new harness isn't going to resolve a low compression issue. Maybe the mechanic misspoke because your compression test results are way higher than 9% low! Make sure the cylinder wasn't washed down with fuel and do a second compression test.

-- Dave
 
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Old May 25, 2021 | 03:35 PM
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I retested Cylinder 2 and it was 90 dry instead 125. It appears this cylinder compression is not stable. I first tested as 90, retested twice as 125. Next day, tested again twice and both were 90
 
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