running HPL engine cleaner 30 in 2008 Ford F150 5.4 w/ cam phaser issues

[darnitdiy]

You should not continue driving it if you want to keep it as a daily driver. If the tensioners are blown (which they most likely are) the entire engine is bleeding oil pressure internally. It will not last long this way.

Thanks – is there a relatively easy way to diagnose this? Of course I would like to do all the things @tcp71 mentioned, but I'm not sure I'll be able to get around to it in the next month

 

[Oliveoil2]

I didn’t read to the end of this thread. You need Cam-phasers and an oil pump. Using heavier oil will only put off the inevitable.

 

[ripcord]

I didn’t read to the end of this thread. You need Cam-phasers and an oil pump. Using heavier oil will only put off the inevitable.

I agree the cleaning oil is not going to fix the OP's problem, but the ticking/knocking sound could also be a failing rocker/follower which can lead to rapid engine deconstruction. This happens most often on the passenger side head as it is the last area to get oil from the oiling system and starves for oil. The low oil pressure likely is largely due to the timing chain tensioner seals blowing out which causes lack of oil pressure and flow to the

OP, here are a couple of videos to check out:




In my opinion, a high mileage 5.4 should not be running 5w-20. Mine has had 5w-30 for most of it's life (270k miles) and hasn't developed timing noises, knock on wood, and still has 25 psi hot idle oil pressure. I would probably use a 0w-40 Euro type oil if I was trying to limp a tappy/knocky 5.4l along.

 

[wpod]

Thanks for all the feedback. I guess I'm just trying to determine what my procedure should be before my oil change, or if I should just immediately change it now.

My thinking was:

1. put a quart of HPL cleaner in
2. drive a couple hundred miles more
3. do an oil change (with another quart of HPL)
4. do another oil change after 1k miles or so


Sounds like the heavier is the way to go – is going immediately to 5w or 10w 40 too big of a step? I feel like I should try the W30 first and see how it responds. As for 5w vs 10w, I'm in northeast but not very north - we never see anything below -5 F.


Seems like some of you have experience with this in the 5.4 Fords. What oil do you guys use?

I'm using Mobil 1 synthetic (not high mileage). Should I continue to use the same if I'm planning on a quick oil change - or is it ok to use a cheaper oil if I'm "flushing" the system

Too big a step? Please explain.

 

[ripcord]

Thanks – is there a relatively easy way to diagnose this? Of course I would like to do all the things @tcp71 mentioned, but I'm not sure I'll be able to get around to it in the next month

Since you're getting low oil pressure codes at hot idle, you 90% chance have one or both blown out tensioners. You can check with a mechanical oil pressure gauge via the sending unit port which is next to the oil filter.

 

[thetricky]

I have the 5.4’s baby brother the 4.6 3-valve and like you, I got it at 175k. It’s life up to that point was supposedly run on whatever off-the-shelf was on sale according to the OLM for miles. I ran it on Kirkland and supertech until about 205k where I switched all-in to HPL vanilla PCMO. The junk in the first two filter cuts was impressive, I posted the first here. Like others have said it sounds like you have more problems than oil can fix.

 

[Gene K]

Same symptoms. We replaced the Cam Phasers,Timing Set and tensioners. Did not replace oil pump. Fixed the issue.

 

[DFWoilguy]

Living in this "Oven" even in October, I was having some bottom engine noise in my "Around town A-B beater" 09 Vic P71 with 200K miles and close over 8000 idle hours running Amazon basics 5W-20. So I flushed engine with B12 "engine oil change" flush and running Pennzoil 10W-40 UTV full syn + MC 910s oil filter and it quieted down the noise 90%!!!

The pennz was a one time deal so going with my mega stash of 40W for my next OCI either M1 5W-40, Delo 400XSP 5W-40 or Valvoline 10W-40

 

[AJB0009]

I agree the cleaning oil is not going to fix the OP's problem, but the ticking/knocking sound could also be a failing rocker/follower which can lead to rapid engine deconstruction. This happens most often on the passenger side head as it is the last area to get oil from the oiling system and starves for oil. The low oil pressure likely is largely due to the timing chain tensioner seals blowing out which causes lack of oil pressure and flow to the

OP, here are a couple of videos to check out:




In my opinion, a high mileage 5.4 should not be running 5w-20. Mine has had 5w-30 for most of it's life (270k miles) and hasn't developed timing noises, knock on wood, and still has 25 psi hot idle oil pressure. I would probably use a 0w-40 Euro type oil if I was trying to limp a tappy/knocky 5.4l along.

This. I was just scrolling through this thread after I saw the title. I was looking to see if someone suggested Ford TechMakuloco YouTube videos. That man is the Jedi Master of Ford. Outstanding videos that have helped me probably more than any other YouTube videos out there, period. He has a TON on that engine and issue specifically.
Having said that, you need mechanical repairs, not cleaning oil.
Edit: OP, I don't know how far you are from the Chicago area. That is where his shop is.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

I agree the cleaning oil is not going to fix the OP's problem, but the ticking/knocking sound could also be a failing rocker/follower which can lead to rapid engine deconstruction. This happens most often on the passenger side head as it is the last area to get oil from the oiling system and starves for oil. The low oil pressure likely is largely due to the timing chain tensioner seals blowing out which causes lack of oil pressure and flow to the

OP, here are a couple of videos to check out:




In my opinion, a high mileage 5.4 should not be running 5w-20. Mine has had 5w-30 for most of it's life (270k miles) and hasn't developed timing noises, knock on wood, and still has 25 psi hot idle oil pressure. I would probably use a 0w-40 Euro type oil if I was trying to limp a tappy/knocky 5.4l along.

Very good videos. I never ran anything thinner than a 30wt in my Ford truck/bronco engines and they lasted all the way until I sold them off well in between 150,000 and 200,000mi. Never had to open any of them I ran with 30wt. Lucky too maybe as I have actually never had to open any truck engines I have owned. (GMC/Ford) Always did between 5000 to 7000mi on oci with them. Seems like these days most OLM register well over 7500mi. Closer to 10,000mi on many newer vehicles. Just seems to be a stretch too far no matter what oil/engines.