Ford 5.4 gas

Howard Parker · Nov 23, 2017

anyone switching back to 5 w 30 oil from 5 w 20 oil in the 5.4 three valve engine? I heard it was a lot better on the cam phasers??

Bob · Nov 23, 2017

What issue are you having/worried about... the actual cam phasers themselves, the timing chains, or the cam timing solenoids?

From what I've seen/read, all are about equally problematic.

I just dealt with one, replacing the solenoids fixed it.

Upon close examination, one of the fine screens in the grooves of the valves was torn and the flap was forced inward, jamming the valve.

I wonder if this is a common failure?

The valves and screens were clean and free of debris, gunk, or varnish.

I haven't heard anything about using a different oil, but using good oil and changing it often is important, 'cause if the cam bores in the aluminum heads wear oil that's supposed to be directed the cam phasers leaks out, instead of pressurizing the phasers as requested by the 'puter.

Sounds like the aluminum crankshaft-driven oil pump wears, as well, and low volume/pressure affects the operation of the VVT sytem.

John730D · Nov 23, 2017

I've used both in my 5.4s. The one ton truck called for 5w-30 only. The other 5.4s have had both run in them without any problems. I usually get 275-300 thousand miles out of them, sometimes without even changing sparkplugs. Then I sell them still running great. Change the oil, Change the oil, Change the oil. 3-4 thousand, then change the oil. 5w-20 or 5w-30 whatever is on sale, and always make sure it is a synthetic blend or full synthetic. I always use full synthetic.

RusselAZ · Nov 23, 2017

Good Job! The ones most common that have failures, that I see at the shop, did not get regular service OR they had the way wrong oil used. Just because you have 20-50 diesel oil on hand doesn't mean you put it in your modern engine.

Dodge has a code for "wrong engine oil". The computer is smart enough to figure it out every time it is cold started.

VicS · Nov 23, 2017

I always ran 5-30 Valvoline semi syn. Or full syn. Ran 2 of them to around 170-180. Never a problem except plugs! And coils around 100 thousand. My daughter's had 280 on it when they sold it. She just took it to Walmart and had oil changed.

Ford 5.4 gas

Howard Parker

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Bob

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John730D

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RusselAZ

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VicS

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