I am afraid as these cars get more mileage, these failures will start cropping up more frequently.
Although the example above was a failure in a brand new engine with only 2K miles.
I just want all you guys to install oil pressure gauges in your cars and monitor it!!!
If you get rough idle...SHUT HER DOWN!!!
VCTs are getting clogged (not sure with what) and restricting oil flow to heads...
Play it safe and get yourself an oil pressure gauge!!
I am thinking of putting gauges for water temp and oil pressure. The gauges that came with my car are just a step above idiot lights from what I hear. Thx for the info.
Seems like the 05-07 VCT solenoids are prone to failures; locking up, etc...
A lot of these VCT issues (CELs, P022, P021, etc) are due to clogged or failed VCT solenoids...mostly common in 05-07 model engines.
I guess I could have prevented my failure if I would have replaced them immediately have noticing my rough idle!!
That's a tough problem to diagnose. Would an oil pressure gauge really help? If the cam solenoids for oil flow are faulty, that wouldn't affect oil pressure in the rest of the engine, just the cams would seize up! Scary thought!
With the stock oil pressure gauge sending unit near the pump outlet, if oil was restricted / not flowing past the phaser I might expect an oil pressure rise at the gauge if anything, but probably not an easily recognizable one (like maybe a slightly higher hot idle pressure). Shutting down at the first sign of rough idle and associated codes might save you, although by the time you're to that point progressive damage is likely already done. A preventative replacement of aged but yet to fail phasers would be an option if there was any confidence in time to failure. The 2K failure example makes the data on that one tough for sure. Just a crappy situation all around....
Reading all these failed VCT solenoids, seems like most were able to avoid any severe damage by immediately shutting down the motor upon rough idle and getting a P022 code.
But in my case, I did not get that code until it was too late.
Regarding the cam phaser failure, it is typically audible; there have been cases of solenoid replacement not fixing the issue followed by phaser replacement being a success.
From the limited data, seems like there is a spring that fails in the phaser causing the unit to lock; typically an audible failure.
In the case of the newly built engine failing at 2,000 miles... I am suspecting the builder used the original solenoids or phasers...which resulted in the failure. We'll see if the builder replies to my PM.
OK, so now you have me paranoid and reading some more about other with possibly the same issue. What I can't figure out is if replacing the VCT solenoid have prevented your problems? An entire VCT assy is about $180-$200 a side. Would you need the whole assy or just the solenoid?
Depends on your failure...sometimes its just the solenoid and other times is the cam phaser. It just depends on the symptoms. But the solenoids should always be checked regardless if you get symptoms.
I don't know it that was my problem, but while they were tearing apart my engine they found that one of the cams was bone dry? I never had any rough idling or anything, but even the engine builders were stumped
I've been reading that it may be normal for the cam journals and caps to be scored... I read that even in a normal operating engine, you will see scores in the cam journals.
Not sure what to say about that, other than its a poor design Ford!!!
Well no kidding AutoX my engine is getting completely redone as well and I find out last week that I need new cams and limiters as well. So with what you just brought up I am wondering if they should have put out something to all of us owners about the issue. I was needing one anyways (108K) LOL So I have no problem getting everything done that needs to be done, but I mean hell if they have already heard about all these problems shouldn't they do something about it
Well, the first issue with the 4.6L is that Ford designed the heads without the use of bearings for the cams. The cams spins directly on the aluminum surface... sigh
On top of that, Ford used to use magnesium cams in 05-06, then went to aluminum cams in 07-08, then reverted back to magnesium in 09-10. sigh
View Profile
View Forum Posts
Reply With Quote
I never had any rough idling or anything, but even the engine builders were stumped
So I have no problem getting everything done that needs to be done, but I mean hell if they have already heard about all these problems shouldn't they do something about it
Bookmarks