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Jun 18, 2009 | 11:59 PM

wxscoe

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Joined: Oct 2008

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From: Florida

Need some good advice!

My wife has an 05 Expy with the 5.4L with 70,000 miles on it with the Cam Phaser problem. Sounds like a diesel at idle. I have read all the posts on here, and all the ones I could find else where about the problem. Every posts I read had the same answers, some say it's not a problem, and some say to get it fixed. We are taking a trip in the end of July to Virginia, which is about 22 hrs away, and will be driving all over Va and NC. We just bought it earlier this year, and I didn't know about this problem then. I have a 2000 F-150 with the 5.4L with 76,000 miles, and it sounds brand new still, so we didn't get any kind of warranty with the Expy. I need an absolute serious answer on whether the Expy will be fine for this trip, because we can't really afford any work to be done, and I'm not mechanically inclined enough to take apart my wife's engine. Thanks for any advice.

Jun 19, 2009 | 03:01 AM

blackhullpirate

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Joined: Jun 2009

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I feel your pain

I have an 05 Expy with the same issue. My engine has been clicking and ticking since the day I got it back in 06 and the only problem I've ever had with it is a mouse eating my airfilter and jamming up the MAS sensor. In the summer of 2007, I drove the Expedition fully loaded with a 1600 lb. trailer from Baltimore, MD to Astoria, OR. about a 3,050 mile trip. I made the trip in 5 days. Truth be told, the cam phaser noise sucks. It's irritating and should not be there, but it is and it from all I've learned, isn't detrimental to the engine at all. You can get a copy of the TSB regarding the cam phasers from your Ford dealer and it says that while it's not the most pleasing of sounds, it's not harmful. Have a great trip my friend!

Jun 19, 2009 | 03:17 AM

Tylus

MMNC (SS)(Ret)

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 11,602

Likes: 148

From: SE Georgia

the Cam Phasers are annoying.

but that is about it. 9/10 people drive with it every single day and have high mileage motors without a issue.

but, the oddball 5.4 does suffer a Cam Phaser failure. I'd be lying if I didn't say it.

I would say you are perfectly fine. Do the normal stuff like tire rotation, oil change and air filter. Top off the coolant and check air pressure.

enjoy the drive. worrying will only get you bent out of shape and ruin the drive/trip

Over in the F-150 section, there are several of the 5.4 3v motors like your with 150,000+ miles that have had that noise since the beginning.

Jun 19, 2009 | 03:19 AM

wxscoe

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Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 38

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From: Florida

Balckhull,

Thanks, yeah the noise irritates me, my wife hasn't said anything about though. She loves her EXPY. I found the TSB on line too. Thanks for the reply, made me laugh a little about the mouse. I'm sure you didn't laugh at first.

Jun 19, 2009 | 03:23 AM

wxscoe

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 38

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From: Florida

tylus,

thanks for the info. i read the ones in the F150 section also. i know the engines will last forever if they're taken care of. like i said my '00 sounds like it's still new. i read through the site regularly. it helps pass time at work for 12 hrs.