No More Tapping: Ford 5.4 3V VCT Solenoid Replacement Tips & Overview

I swapped one of my solenoids recently. It's super easy to remove tapping with a 32mm socket from the underside of the valve cover. Now. The removal of the valve cover was a big job. The vacuum line behind the intake got loose so I had to remove the entire thing to be able to put it back. But the truck runs really well now.

[@tedthornton7791]

Thanks Bud. I got the 06 f150 Lariat. I think the 06 is where the last easier vct access stops. My concern mainly is the tapping at idle also. No codes, no rough idle. Just the noise most noticeable at drive thrus. Seems the revision of the oil channel was a good idea by Ford in my opinion. May try it. You got that new motorcraft part numbers for the solenoid and the black seal piece. Thanks

[@3VJohnny]

Ford OEM 5.4L 3V VCT Control Solenoid x2 & Valve Cover Seal Gaskets x2 smile.amazon.com/dp/B01HFPOORC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_fabc_K5P9ZSS70KPDP0T0X60F?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[@aaronnelson2560]

😅😅

[@jasonharris3922]

The ford makeuloco channel said mid 07 is when they changed valve covers. I have an 07 king ranch and I have to remove them to do this

[@3VJohnny]

That's what I thought it was, I just didn't want to say since I wasn't 100% certain and steer anyone wrong. It's a bummer because the access sure is nice haha

[@75Mooses]

The set screw is not always a torex bit I have found they are some times a 10 mm

[@chaseledbetter5186]

My 05 f250 5.4 has the original vcts for 234k miles. Ive never had to do anything internal on the engine. No timing components or phasers or anything. Never even had an oil leak anywhere. Its only had 5w20 full synthetic every 3500 miles from day one. We daily drive it and tow around 8k pounds atleast once a week. It has a slight tick at idle but has had it since it was new but i wonder if I should change both vct solenoids or if it aint broke dont fix it lol

[@darks1der07]

I'm about to replace my valve covers because the coil pack holes and the shitty pot metal crumbled apart on 3 pack mounts. Am I able to salvage the VCT seal if I'm removing the entire valve cover?

[@sandrarichardson2713]

Thanks for going through this particular part's installation. Do you happen to know how often these should be changed? Or can they be flushed, cleaned and reused? Just curious. Great video. Jesus bless.

[@3VJohnny]

I replaced mine because of the symptoms I was having with the tapping. However oftentimes you would be replacing them as preventative maintenance when you replace the entire timing system 150kish miles). A lot of the newer vehicles they're not easily accessible which makes it a challenge. There were a handful of years from say 2004 to mid 2007, where you could access them easily and install the updated part.

[@froglobster]

Wow, new subscriber thanks for this vid! Problem I have is trusting chinadorman with their smaller oil passage idea. I understand your explanation but small oil passages are the long-standing factory flaw. My 08 5.4 had the faintest tick til last week. Had no misfire or power loss whatsoever but after new spark plugs faint tick is gone. Idk I can’t explain that. I was concerned about the 2 part plugs so I had my mechanic do it, turned out it was motor craft platinum one piece! Research later was ford was starting to dump the problem breaking plugs in 08 sometime but not specific month mine is May….second owner had since 2010

[@3VJohnny]

Ford actually revised the parts to have all smaller oil passages including the lash adjusters as well. Dormant would just be copying the Motorcraft design at that point. Glad you have the updated heads!

[@kaufmankdk]

Full Synthetic oil is much thinner and therefore all of the oil journals are smaller as well, timing job also require an upgraded oil pump

[@PaulHenreid]

what is the resistance specification in Ohms?

[@cyclonefanatic]

I have a 2008 ford f150 5.4. I can access the silonoid, but I can not get on the t27 torx. It is to tight, the hole is only 1.5 inches. What is the best idea.

[@3VJohnny]

Yes, you cannot access the solenoid correctly on your year. Around 2007 Ford changed the valve cover. You need to pull the valve cover off

[@kaufmankdk]

Your year requires the Valve cover removal

[@kaufmankdk]

Remove your Valve Covers

[@AaronRowland-y5w]

I have a 2004 5.4 triton 3 valve I have question the recommendation says 5W-20 oil is that to light for a V8 engine I'm thinking about going with 5W-30 oil

[@3VJohnny]

It's not light as it's what was spec'd for the engine by Ford. That being said, I've been running Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5w30 since 2013 with no issues. Many have as well. The older 5.4 2V was originally spec'd as 5w-30 but was later changed to 5w-20 due to CAFE standards to try and squeeze more fuel mileage.

[@AaronRowland-y5w]

@@3VJohnny Thanks for the reply, my 2002 ford escape V6 3.0 used 5W-20 oil so I don't feel safe using 5W-20 in my 2004 5.4 V8 triton I'm going with 5W-30 Weight

[@3VJohnny]

It's not going to hurt anything either way. I noticed the engine sounded quieter with the 5W-30. Ford tech Makuloco also advised 5w-30 in these 3V engines now. So that's a good sign.

[@3VJohnny]

@?????? A recall is for safety issues only. The factory was 5W-20 for the 3V engines but many of us run 5W-30.

[@JimBronson]

@@3VJohnny I run 10w30 in mine because I live in Central Texas. It's more shear stable than 5w30. Synthetic only of course, these engines have small oil passages that can't get gummed up.

[@Stevusmaximus1]

Great, great video! Thank you!!

[@paulsosa1872]

The shop that rebuilt my 5.4 heads put a oil plug at the bottom of the hole where the vct solenoids sit now I've been getting p0022 timing retarded code. I think I'm gonna have to pop the plug out for the solenoids to function properly.

[@3VJohnny]

Yeah the solenoids are a crucial part of the system. I hope you get it straightened out

[@mikimiki195]

Thanks for taking time to make this video This will help me 👍🏻

[@3VJohnny]

Glad to hear!

[@JimBronson]

If it's rattling on startup the tensioner seals have failed. Time for a timing job.

[@DON-yq2op]

Great video thank you

[@UserUser14880]

Does the 5.4 3v have 1 or 2 of these? Is there 1 on each side?

[@3VJohnny]

1 per side

[@UserUser14880]

@@3VJohnny awesome thankx

[@kaufmankdk]

yes, 2. one on each side. Control Solenoid x2 - 8L3Z-6M280-B, Valve Cover Seal Gaskets x2 - 3L3Z-6C35-AA 2004 to 2006 Large seals with access, no valve cover removal

[@trail457]

Use 5/30 engine oil for better lubrication.5/20 was to increase gas milage.

[@3VJohnny]

Correct. Been using 5-30 for a very long time 👍🏼

[@juanagudelo409]

I use 5w-30, in the summer, 5w-20 in the winter.

[@stanknowlton7043]

2006 and 2008 use the same solenoids but the grommet holes are different sizes, designed to fail.

[@xXxGnuVirusxXx]

2008 and up u have to remove the valve cover

[@3VJohnny]

I've seen it being as early as 2007 myself

[@gotithonest777]

No you dont have to remove the valve cover. kzbin.info/www/bejne/laXKl5qel9Onbqs

[@3VJohnny]

Yes you do after 07 redesign valve covers. Not pulling the valve covers only works 04-midway-07. That video is full of bad information.

[@locknload9143]

@@3VJohnny ..I agree. Alot of ppl are going to use aftermarket parts for starters, along with trying to preform this repair on the wrong year vehicles, only to possibly cause damage to there engines.

[@3VJohnny]

Yup I agree. There are lots of small changes among generations that can screw people over.

[@leodeboca]

Awesome!

[@davidfrazier1186]

Thanks, Mine has 162000 Time to change them

[@3VJohnny]

Definitely time! As many of the updated timing parts you can install the better 👍🏼

[@JimBronson]

Me too, got 152000 on my 2010 Navigator.

[@davidfrazier1186]

@@JimBronson one year later, I now have 187,000 👍

[@carlinkevin]

Great video! Helped fix my 05 Lariat 5.4

[@GUSTAVO-uy6ps]

So your not going to show us what it sounded like before.

[@kaufmankdk]

He dident even show you the F150, he was on a mustang, If your truck sounds a little like a diesel while driving it highway or city then you could have this issue

[@kaufmankdk]

Control Solenoid x2 - 8L3Z-6M280-B, Valve Cover Seal Gaskets x2 - 3L3Z-6C35-AA 2004 to 2006 Large seals with access, no valve cover removal

[@ChrisWilliams12]

WOW Thats not a truck motor. so where is the truck 5.4 motor f150 you are talking about because the last one i replaced i had to pull the value cover

[@3VJohnny]

Pre 2007 you didn't have to pull valve cover

[@palm8242]

That is definitely the truck motor. Too clean maby lol.

[@ChrisWilliams-wf8zo]

Lol

[@kaufmankdk]

Correct, Mustang. but did mention that early on in video. did you do the conversion ?

[@Alpha_B95]

I feel like everytime i do mine. The torx screwdrivers dont fit around the housing of these vvts.. its everytime. N then i see videos where they easily access them n have it done. Why am i running into this issue 😂

[@3VJohnny]

Depends on your year. 2004 to 06 and maybe into a few productions of '07, you have the larger VCT seal. If you're 07 and later then you can't access it through the valve cover without taking it off.

[@Alpha_B95]

@@3VJohnny yea, i just figured that out. Mines 07. Had to remove the valve cover. Had to buy new gaskets lol fml now the driver side

[@valuedcustomer2565]

$35 for a pair of these

[@Rico702Vegas]

The new Dorman solenoids are an exact match, oil holes, screen windows and the T27 that doesn't fall out. Just saying.

[@jamesrobbins8938]

Here's your tip.... never buy a ford with a 5.4 .... ever.....now the 4.6 is good engine...

The 5.4 Triton is a lovely engine to drive. But you have to be very aware of the timing system. I'm planning to do a full swap incl the oilpump soon as I'm at 110 000 miles on my 2005

[@jamesrobbins8938]

@ until they get the death tick because no oil is getting to the head's and starts smoking when the rings go.....5.4is 💩....

[@squangan]

My properly maintained 2009 5.4 3v is still quietly and smoothly purring along after 15 years now. I had to change an exhaust manifold in 2018 and these VCT solenoids in 2022 which have been the only issues so proper maintenance from day 1 works wonders for the 5.4. On the other hand I would never consider buying a used one with an unknown history..

[@anthonycoschignano8809]

@@squangan My F150 is a 2005 with a 5.4 with 380000. I haven't had to do anything to the engine other than oil changes, plugs, and a couple of alternators. The truck has been awesome!

[@lthomas4677]

I just replaced my 5.4 after……….460,000 miles……..