2004 F150 5.4 Cam Phaser
 

Have a problem with a 04 F150 5.4. Engine light came on. Engine runs real rough. Mechanic says Code P0022, 2 bad cam phasers bank 2. Mechanic says new engine. Called Ford Service Advisor and he says the cam phasers can be replaced. Less than 5 miles on oil change. Mechanic thinks oil filter cam apart. Any advice or comments?

You need a better mechanic. Your cam chains and VCT are suspect. Oil PSI brings your camshaft up to advance, since it is retarding/retarded permanantly it is either no oil PSI or the chain guide/adjuster problem has occured. The sol valve may be clogged with crud causing a loss of oil psi, but normally, if there is a lot of clank and grind it means chain damage. This can/will lead to a lot of metal in the pan along with pieces. A second opinion is wise here. There is nothing wrong with swapping in a Jasper Reb. with warranty. The 2004 5.4 does loose its main bearings and many have been covered with Ford Warranty. Main engine oil PSI is so important. Usually pieces in the pan of bearings tell the tail. The warranty replacement is the best way to guarantee a solid repair when finished. If damage has moved along there will be other tell tail knocks and clunks to come.

Pappa Tiger
 

Thank you for responding. In your opinion can I get by with a repair? Short on cash, 2 kids in college. Are you familiar with the P0022 code? Would the cam phaser failure toast the engine? It does run, poorly, with out alot of noise.

The motor has a normal hollow clank sound to it coming off idle. Once one parks a truck it seems to fall apart after a few month of disuse. If your 5.4 never had main bearings under warranty I would worry. Another shops opinion would be best here. It's probably just cam chain related to that bank ( drivers side ). ??? When you got kids in school, you got to haul their stuff around alot. LOL Engine oil filters are mostly bullet proof now, but cam guide wear will put a lot of plastic and chunks in the pan/pump screen. It doesn't sound like yours though. Hope you didn't drive it and never do anything ( maintenance ) to it like some ( Floridians) do. The 5.4L can always be identified in a F150 by that Klank-Klank whendrivingaway.

It depends on who makes the filter to determine if its "bulletproof". Its possible the filter came apart and clogged the oil passages. The only way to know for sure is to tear it down. Pull the valve covers and timing cover and see if there is any metal or sludge in the chain tensioners.

I thought that the phasers kept the cams fully advanced and VCT operation retarded the cams as directed by the PCM.

I am currently replacing all timing components due to an occasional violent rough idle and timing chain noise on the passenger side for a few seconds after start. I found the following:
1. Drivers side cam phaser partially broken - all three roll pins missing.
2. Passenger side stationary guide in 7 pieces (all recovered).
3. Both tensioner gaskets shot.

I am replacing the chains, tensioners, guides, both cam phasers and installing the Livernois lockout kit to permanently silence the phasers and hopefully never have to deal with again.