2005 5.4L ford f150 trouble

[WillyBob98]

Long story short, a piece of the little black plastic chain guide on the bottom side of the sprocket broke off and wedged it self in between the the chain and valve cover causing a small crack in the valve cover. Everything else seems to be fine and the engine is still quiet and smooth and holds oil pressure. Now, what could have caused that guide to break? And how much "play" should be in the timing chain? Thanks!

 

[HEMIHUNTER]

How many miles?

 

[WillyBob98]

How many miles?

Only around 70k. Its not my truck so im not going to take any comments to heart. I was thinking that it might have been low on oil and there was too much friction between the chain and guide? That and maybe over reving it :shrug:. It would be really easy to replace and to put a new valve cover on but who knows if it will happen again. And itshis family vehicle so he needs it asap.

Do you have any idea how much play should be on the chain? It could have been chan slap if its too loose. You can wiggle it by hand a little bit.

 

[mrlrd1]

I've seen multiple guides break all across the modular engine family. Every single one was neglected.

If you're in there and have timing chain problems, replace EVERYTHING. The seals for the tensioners are probably torn. Chains stretch, guides wear, oil galleys and VCT solenoids clog due to lack of oil maintenance.

So...

left and right tensioners
2 phasers
2 chains
all 4 guides
remove VCT solenoids and clean screens and oil galleys with compressed air

The phasers may be cost prohibitive but they will fail eventually. Better to do them now. It starts with a light knock and gets worse - starts to sound like a diesel. By that time it will have erratic valve timing and cause all sorts of driveability problems.

Valve cover gaskets and timing cover gaskets can be reused. The passenger side valve cover does not have to be removed. Just unbolt it and pull it up out of the way - no need to open up the AC system for accumulator removal.

Tell them 20-30 times: Use 5w20 oil and no cheap oil filters.

 

[WillyBob98]

I've seen multiple guides break all across the modular engine family. Every single one was neglected.

If you're in there and have timing chain problems, replace EVERYTHING. The seals for the tensioners are probably torn. Chains stretch, guides wear, oil galleys and VCT solenoids clog due to lack of oil maintenance.

So...

left and right tensioners
2 phasers
2 chains
all 4 guides
remove VCT solenoids and clean screens and oil galleys with compressed air

The phasers may be cost prohibitive but they will fail eventually. Better to do them now. It starts with a light knock and gets worse - starts to sound like a diesel. By that time it will have erratic valve timing and cause all sorts of driveability problems.

Valve cover gaskets and timing cover gaskets can be reused. The passenger side valve cover does not have to be removed. Just unbolt it and pull it up out of the way - no need to open up the AC system for accumulator removal.

Tell them 20-30 times: Use 5w20 oil and no cheap oil filters.

Very informative, thanks man!

 

[kevinatfms]

IIRC, you will also want to replace the oil pressure manifold on the passenger side bolted to the front of the cylinder head.

They were known to cause oil starving issues to the camshafts, guides and tensioners. I cannot remember the part number off hand but it is held on by (2) 8mm or 10mm bolts and controls oil flow through the head. They were updated mid 07 after the earlier ones caused clogging issues with the VCT solenoids.

As for the A/C, r&r the outlet tube and remove the passenger side valve cover. check the cam for wiped lobes on the #3 and #4 cylinders intake lobes. They were known to get gritty or flat when the guides went.

One final note, if you like, replace the plastic 3v tensioners with the 2v metal tensioners. They are direct bolt in and are less prone to cracking around the bolt holes due to technician faults(over tightening).

Good luck!

EDIT: also, remind whoever is using the truck that the filter needs to have an anti-drainback valve. some cheap filters come with them, most do not and cause heavy oil starvation on startup after a cool down period or during full cold starts.

 

[kevinatfms]

Just looked it up. seems they changed the final part number for every year to the full kit to replace both sides.

6M280 is the VCT solenoid kit which includes the oil manifold with the solenoid and gasket.

 

[WillyBob98]

Man, you guys are awesome. Thanks fellas.