Long time lurker here. Thank you for all the great information I've searched through in the past.
I am looking for suggestions regarding a short-time interval engine flush prior to servicing a vehicle, please bear with me as I have not found information that helps in my decision.
I recently bought a 2005 Super Duty with the 5.4 3V, 150,000 miles, Torqshift, 4X4, SRW, that I will be performing timing component replacement on (tensioner, phaser, chain guides, VCT soleniods/housings, as necessary etc...). It has both the start-up rattle of timing tensioner seal wear/leak, and the ticking of cam phaser slap between idle to 1200 rpm at operating temperature. I was fully aware of the likely servicing at the time of purchase and for the sake of argument I am confident of this diagnosis. The injectors check out and will be cleaned and re-used. I have a self imposed deadline of one week to perform the replacements although this would be more accurately described as: I am only willing to operate the vehicle as-is for a few more days. This is due to my recent discovery via OASIS that this engine has the original early-build 2005 cam phasers with hollow pin construction which hold together the assembly and limit timing retard. Due to a high rate of failure this part was redesigned and, however unlikely, a failure of this component would result in piston-valve interference and is something I am not willing to risk by continuing to operate the vehicle for more than one week.
The previous owner reported that this vehicle was used primarily for commuting with regular maintenance including consistent oil and filter changes at 5,000 mile or less intervals using a mixture of conventional and synthetic 5W-20 and Motorcraft filters. The accompanying service documentation and dealer log support this. It was previously operated in the relatively mild climate of Tennessee. There is a dealer record at 40,000 miles of owner concern with valve train noise, consistent with current symptoms, with no action taken vehicle operation deemed normal. Previous owner estimates noise becoming more pronounced at about 120,000 miles but reports no change in performance. The vehicle currently has excellent power as compared to other 5.4 3V Super Duty's but on three occasions has stalled after coasting to a stop. The throttle body inspected on-vehicle is remarkably clean, which combined with other symptoms indicates wear of the soon to be replaced components although I will examine all vacuum lines closely while servicing. I have drained one quart of motor oil from the pan and by smell, sight, and touch it is in good/normal used condition. The oil fill tube shows minor discoloration but nothing to raise suspicion of neglect. At operating temperature idling oil pressure as measured at the heads is 35+ pounds which, while on the low side, does not cause me to suspect component damage.
I had planned to wait until the next regular service interval to perform the timing component replacement, along with a transmission fluid flush, and this would have allowed time to perform a longer-interval flush. The discovery that the cam phasers that I suspect have been seeing low-normal oil pressure for a minimum of 30,000 miles are of the hollow pin design has changed this. After consideration, I have decided to still keep the engine internals as-is and do an in-frame replacement of the timing and related components with the goal of extending the service life of this otherwise good engine, but I will not wait so any flush will have to be quick and likely more aggressive.
Upon disassembley I will inspect the valve train for excessively worn lash adjusters and followers, oil pump and pickup tube, etc.. FWIW, I can perform any pre/post-service necessitated by a chemical flush should I perform one. Current plan is to use Quaker State ultimate durability 5W-20 to be used with Motorcraft filters on this vehicle at 3-5000 mile intervals dependent on the severity of use.
I would like suggestions regarding whether or not a chemical type flush would be applicable in this situation before servicing, and if so which type. I am concerned with the timing chain tensioner and cam phaser oil supply galleys potentially having deposits in them which could affect the new components. The consideration is the potential benefit of a chemical type flush just prior to disassembly and cleaning, versus the effect of possible rapid dislodging or other damage.
Researching this topic has leg to "Paralysis by Analysis" when weighing the pros and cons of flushing, which combined with my self-imposed deadline for servicing, have led me to ask about this often discussed topic. Please forgive the somewhat redundancy. I was hesitant to post but I did not find engine flush information specific to: variable cam gasoline engines, with relatively high miles, which have a very small window of time to be flushed, then having a partial in-frame tear down, with the timing components to be replaced, but engine internals to be left alone, when actions required by or to limit the scope of a chemical flush could be performed. I have and will continue to search this forum and others but I would like to know the experience and result of others who have had similar situations or expertise in this matter.
Thank you,
MOJoWales
I am looking for suggestions regarding a short-time interval engine flush prior to servicing a vehicle, please bear with me as I have not found information that helps in my decision.
I recently bought a 2005 Super Duty with the 5.4 3V, 150,000 miles, Torqshift, 4X4, SRW, that I will be performing timing component replacement on (tensioner, phaser, chain guides, VCT soleniods/housings, as necessary etc...). It has both the start-up rattle of timing tensioner seal wear/leak, and the ticking of cam phaser slap between idle to 1200 rpm at operating temperature. I was fully aware of the likely servicing at the time of purchase and for the sake of argument I am confident of this diagnosis. The injectors check out and will be cleaned and re-used. I have a self imposed deadline of one week to perform the replacements although this would be more accurately described as: I am only willing to operate the vehicle as-is for a few more days. This is due to my recent discovery via OASIS that this engine has the original early-build 2005 cam phasers with hollow pin construction which hold together the assembly and limit timing retard. Due to a high rate of failure this part was redesigned and, however unlikely, a failure of this component would result in piston-valve interference and is something I am not willing to risk by continuing to operate the vehicle for more than one week.
The previous owner reported that this vehicle was used primarily for commuting with regular maintenance including consistent oil and filter changes at 5,000 mile or less intervals using a mixture of conventional and synthetic 5W-20 and Motorcraft filters. The accompanying service documentation and dealer log support this. It was previously operated in the relatively mild climate of Tennessee. There is a dealer record at 40,000 miles of owner concern with valve train noise, consistent with current symptoms, with no action taken vehicle operation deemed normal. Previous owner estimates noise becoming more pronounced at about 120,000 miles but reports no change in performance. The vehicle currently has excellent power as compared to other 5.4 3V Super Duty's but on three occasions has stalled after coasting to a stop. The throttle body inspected on-vehicle is remarkably clean, which combined with other symptoms indicates wear of the soon to be replaced components although I will examine all vacuum lines closely while servicing. I have drained one quart of motor oil from the pan and by smell, sight, and touch it is in good/normal used condition. The oil fill tube shows minor discoloration but nothing to raise suspicion of neglect. At operating temperature idling oil pressure as measured at the heads is 35+ pounds which, while on the low side, does not cause me to suspect component damage.
I had planned to wait until the next regular service interval to perform the timing component replacement, along with a transmission fluid flush, and this would have allowed time to perform a longer-interval flush. The discovery that the cam phasers that I suspect have been seeing low-normal oil pressure for a minimum of 30,000 miles are of the hollow pin design has changed this. After consideration, I have decided to still keep the engine internals as-is and do an in-frame replacement of the timing and related components with the goal of extending the service life of this otherwise good engine, but I will not wait so any flush will have to be quick and likely more aggressive.
Upon disassembley I will inspect the valve train for excessively worn lash adjusters and followers, oil pump and pickup tube, etc.. FWIW, I can perform any pre/post-service necessitated by a chemical flush should I perform one. Current plan is to use Quaker State ultimate durability 5W-20 to be used with Motorcraft filters on this vehicle at 3-5000 mile intervals dependent on the severity of use.
I would like suggestions regarding whether or not a chemical type flush would be applicable in this situation before servicing, and if so which type. I am concerned with the timing chain tensioner and cam phaser oil supply galleys potentially having deposits in them which could affect the new components. The consideration is the potential benefit of a chemical type flush just prior to disassembly and cleaning, versus the effect of possible rapid dislodging or other damage.
Researching this topic has leg to "Paralysis by Analysis" when weighing the pros and cons of flushing, which combined with my self-imposed deadline for servicing, have led me to ask about this often discussed topic. Please forgive the somewhat redundancy. I was hesitant to post but I did not find engine flush information specific to: variable cam gasoline engines, with relatively high miles, which have a very small window of time to be flushed, then having a partial in-frame tear down, with the timing components to be replaced, but engine internals to be left alone, when actions required by or to limit the scope of a chemical flush could be performed. I have and will continue to search this forum and others but I would like to know the experience and result of others who have had similar situations or expertise in this matter.
Thank you,
MOJoWales
