Ford 5.4L 3v Engine Timing Walkthrough 

16 years old and just did an entire timing job with phasers and everything it’s runs good thank you Brian for describing everything very well your videos were super helpful watched the 4 part series. If you watch his videos anyone can do it

I have never owned a Ford pickup truck that I love watching this mechanic work!❤

Slow paced, informative, and no cuts. Excellent video

every owner of the 3V will eventually need to watch this video lol. thanks for the post.

This guy is awesome. He does a wonderful job explaining what to do. He includes torque specs, which come in handy. I look forward to future videos.

Hey, First I want to compliment you on the detail in your videos and for taking the time to put them together and help out us DIY auto guys . I have worked in the Nuclear Industry for the past 35 years . Most of that as a pipe Welder and Machinist until I got old and tired and recently started Supervising . Since my first car I have done most of my own work ( except tranny rebuilds lol ) man has to know his limits . But as the years have gone on the complexity of most work other than routine maintenance has gotten tougher on us DIYers . Thank God for RU-vid and those like you . Now for the question I have watched this video as well as your cam phaser change out video . And I am a little confused ( easily done ) In the vid on the phasers you show the crank key or spoke at 12 o clock then once the rockers are removed from the 1,4,5 and 8 cylinders you rotate to the 6 o clock position for the cam phaser change out keeping the cams in a neutral position. On this vid you show the keyway at the 11 o clock position which puts the timing mark on the sprocket at exactly 6 o clock ( I notice your cam bearing caps are lose) so all the valves should be unable to open .I am assuming that even if they were tight and the proper rockers were removed the cams they would still be neutral ? I am doing the Phasers as well as all timing chains adjusters ext. which process should I use ? Thanks again for all of your videos . They have been the best ones on RU-vid that I have seen dealing with these 5.4s

I forgot to mention these videos are top notch. And great info for anyone servicing these engines. Couldn’t have done it without these videos.

Awesome video!!! I've been looking all over for some guidance on the engine timing for my F-150 that i'm about about to do a complete timing system replacement on. You just saved my ass a lot of time and effort! Thanks

Excellent video Brian. You sure make sense of the whole timing procedure. Seems so much easier now after watching this. Thanks for posting this.

Thanks for all the help , your videos are awesome, did the phasers and timing chain , saved a lot of money. Truck runs like new!!!

FordTechMakuloco thanks for sharing this video I was really getting stressed out about timing this motor I could not figure out those cam timing marks until I watched this video now that I understand the concept now it all makes sense and is really pretty simple lol thanks

Thank you for all the great videos. I used your 4 part series to repair my truck that sounded like a loud diesel. I found a seized roller follower on the #7 exhaust valve. It chewed up the cam on my 04. You gave me the confidence to go deep in this motor with your excellent video series. If it wasnt for you this truck would have met the scrap heap but instead its ready for another 100k. Thanks again and keep them coming.

Very clean and professional video. Thank you! Ready to tackle mine.

I like the ideal of the loosen cam caps vs the removal of the roller follows

Great video! I did this repair to my '05 this weekend. This video was was the make or break for me.

Just subscribed. Great work! Very Professional! I work in the mechanic field myself. The Bosch is part of my arsenal. You may consider adding the craftsman 90 degree rechargeable tool as well. between that and the bosch ur flying without dragging air lines :)

You explain things very clearly. Thanks for keep sharing these.

Me and my wife got a 05 and fix it all I needed to see is timing marks an now it runs good thanks

You sir are the best! Ford not so much, still cursing at the lack of engineering on this 07 f150 Lariat. I have been driving it for a year and I would joke that the truck was a diesel hybrid to my passengers because of the way it ran after warm up...as soon as you drove over 1000 rpm then came to a slow down or stop the rpm would drop out and make the diesel chattering sound. When you increased rpm the engine would right it self. The truck ran great on the hi-way just a pain in town. VCT solenoids suspected. Finally tackled the job. Dropping the oil pan is not so simple, as well as the valve covers..oh my! I did the exhaust manifolds while I was at it, what a crazy job. No space on passenger side as I had (2) broken studs (Back and front of eng.) to remove and 1 on driver side. These were broken before working on them...thanks Ford. Had to remove starter and a/c comp. to get access to back broken stud & passenger manifold out. After disconnecting steering for access had to grind out and retapp driver side broken exhaust stud at the back (closest to firewall) after 2 extractor s broke and 2 drill bits broke in hole. Tough angle to get drill into! Die grinder...yes...very time consuming. The timing guide failed on passenger side. The mechanism of failure was the spring tensioners gasket failed on both Gaskets, after removal clearly pushed out and visual oil tracking on the head is visible, causing chains to loose tension and over time wearing against tensioners to the point of failure. Chewed up the passenger side real good. The chewed up plastic then restricted the oil pump intake causing low oil pressure. Thankfully this occurred in my drive way! Changed VCT solenoids, Timing chains, sprocket, tensioners, guides, oil pump, water pump etc. The Cam phaser appeared to be in good shape... changed with new bolts though. Thanks again for all your clear and concise help.

I Love your videos!! Thanks to you, Im learning at the speed of Light about my truck, engines, timing, all of it! Thanks to *your* spark plug video, I got my #4 and #8 plugs out (especially #8) because they had the *exact* same issue you covered in your video with the Lisle tool. Just want to say a Huge *THANK YOU* and keep em coming!! You earned my subscription back before I started the plugs, and if I could subscribe again I would!!

Awesome video! Gave me the confidence to do the job myself. Much appreciated!

really found your video very informative! so...where do I bring my e150 to you? I'd be pleased to have you do the work!

Very Clear,Clean, Concise, and Complete. Thanks for posting.

I would love to see you do a video on a 2v 4.6!

I just had this done and my engine guy said that I had less than 20 miles until shit was to come apart glad i saw these videos and got all that done with the right parts.

by far the best 3v timing video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BE SURE YOU LINE UP TO THE CORRECT TIMING MARKS ON THE PHASERS!!! After spending 30 hours this weekend doing timing chains, oil pump, lash adjusters, rockers, cam phaser lockout, and more, my truck ran really rough, and threw a P0345 code. I went back through my pictures of the job (always a good idea to take lots of pictures), and noticed that I lined up the LH phaser is lined up to the "R" mark, not the little dot opposite the "R". This is telling the PCM that the phaser is 180 degress out of phase from where it should be, and of course the ignition/fuel timing is therefore WAYYY off. DONT MAKE THIS STUPID MISTAKE LIKE ME!!!

Excellent video, very thorough and helpful with installing new cam phasers.

Excellent Video thank you for explaining things in detail.

You make great videos. Very easy to learn from you.

Finally a great video on this subject. Thank you. I going to do this to mine in the near future.

How you doing man i have a question I'm replacing the timing chain on my 2005 f150 5.4 3v and i was watching your video u were showing that on the driver s side it has the L shape and the other side has the R but on my truck i have the L on both sides what should i do .

Hi thank you for your great videos, can I also use this same procedures in a Lincoln ls 3.9 engine?

Me and my son just fixed his 05 ford f150 fx4 with the 5.4 lthanks to you and your video I appreciate you doing this

How do you know that you on the right compression stroke?

It cracks me up when someone does a thumbs down on a video like this. THAT is the way it has to be done, Period! How can you give it a thumbs down?

Thanks for all your helpful videos. I’m replacing all timing components on the same engine, and in the process I took apart the vct solenoid body to clean all passages and the little filter inside. This filter is held down by a head-less Ellen bolt. Do I need to seal the thread of this bolt or install it clean? If yes, what sealer would you use? Same question for the other smaller bolt on the vct body. I’m asking because I think these bolts are supposed to prevent oil flow through them, which might compromise the oil pressure going to the tensioner.

Great work on all your videos . Question for you though. If you have a 5.4 l (2009) that goes out of time while driving and now has a crank no start because of it. What the odds of having some bent valves on that engine . Thanks

It it jumps just one tooth does the valves get bent? Then you have to take heads off and redo valves

I'm gonna need your help soon lol

great video, thank you! extremely valuable information

my first 5.4 timing chain job wow what a job but this video was very helpful even to a trained tech thank you

THIS MOTOR IS A NITE MAYOR ford needs to go back to the 302 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank for the video, quick question. During the process of replacing my phasers and chains i rotated the crank shaft, with timing chains removed, out of position by about 1/4 inch. I'm starting from scratch on timing and was watching the video. How do I rotate the crank to get it back into position. In your other video I have the key at the top or 12 o clock position. How do I get it to the 6 o clock without damaging anything?

How you doing? First I wanna say thank you for your video's it help me a lot on my project. I have a question, I have a 5.4 3v, it broke the crankshaft and I got shaving metal all over the engine and I want too now what you recommended?. Thank you

Nice :) thanks for the walk thru, so, what are the phasers for? adjust timing? why do they make so much racket, I was told they don't get a good oil supply and replacing them only masks the issue, the real issue is a weak oil pump?

Thank you so much this was so helpful. God bless you. I'm actually doing mine on my 2008 ford f150 5.4 liter . Im using all original ford parts. I don't use after market parts on anything that I work on..

Do you also have to remove the intake manifold? I just replace my spark plugs and intake gaskets 1000 miles ago and now I got a timming chain noise.

you are fn awesome thank you soooo much. Thank you for your service,1 of these days ill get you back.... plz keep making these for the 04-10 5.4 triton. i love my truck 05 exped xlt 4x4 just can t afford to pay to fix it and its so specific to this engine in these years. ive had many mechanics try to give me advise and they just dont understand its the triton engine. all i need now is a video on catalitic convertors. getting bank 1 and 2 below threshold codes. I have used you and others to help me change plugs and cops, vct on both sides fuel filter, brakes rotors, rear blend door, ac junction box had corrosion in it. Thank you, you are an angel. my wife myself and my 7 kids thank you.

Thanks for the video what do you think about cam phaser lock outs... is ford using them..

I had to replace the chain guides on my 2000 Crown Victoria with only 77000 miles on it. i think there was a recall or tsb on them. they were worn down to the metal.

Hello, Help is needed please! I'm in the middle of this job and I sent cylinder heads to a machine shop to have the work done guides, seats etc. when i got the heads back they were completely assembled. How does one go about getting the timing correct. Thanks for the videos they have helped a lot. Timing seems 180 off according to cam phasers

Do you recommend replacing the oil pump with a standard volume/high pressure one?

Great presentation! I might have to this kind of work on my Brother’s in law Expidition 🤨

I'm following this step by step. At what point did you tighten the cam caps down?

Dude you just saved my life with your video. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

Thanks so much for the video, used your cam phaser one before but now I am having to change the rest of it. Anyways I have read you are not supposed to turn the crank without the timing chains connected to the phasers. I have already taken everything off and waiting on parts is it ok to rotated the crank into the correct position like you did in the video without doing anything else like loosening cams or taking out rocker arms?? Thanks again for the video's and the help you are a life saver!

The crankshaft position tool you used on the 5.4L 3 valve engine, is it the same tool for the 4.6L 3 valve engine as well? Thanks

Have never done one thanks for the video

Great video. Very informative. When using you impact gun to tighten nuts/bolts down (especially ones that need a specific torque value) how do you ensure it doesn't over torque the nut/bolt?

I have a 2004 expedition 4.6. the timing chain guides broke into a lot of pieces. I replaced the guides and tensioners,with the help of this video. thanks. I did not change the chains though. I did drop the oil pan and clean the pick up tube filter and the pan from all the plastic pieces from the guides that broke. got it all put back together and it's still making a noise. did the chain jump a tooth and it's out of time now? is my engine ruined? bent valves possibly?

Is there a video showing how to put the roller followers back on. Taking them off doesnt seem hard but putting them back on im still a little confused with if they just snap back on. Great videos btw. They are always very very detailed and very helpful.

FordTechMakuloco, I have a 2009 5.4 3V F150, with 159,000 miles. At high acceleration it loses power slightly, then runs normal again (as if nothing is wrong). After speaking with a diagnostics tech, he suggested the VCT solenoids may have begin to stick based on the mileage. After watching several of your videos (on VCT and other components) I decided to replace the VCT solenoids, Camshaft Phaser Sensor, Timing Chains along with a HV Oil Pump. I purchase all Ford Motorcraft OEM parts (except oil pump/Melling), with the intention of having my local Ford Dealer doing the labor. YES I know the labor $$$$ is a killer, however, I was informed by the service manager/dealer that I would ruin my engine by putting in the new parts (specifically the oil pump would be to powerful and ruin parts that were not swapped). My question, have you experienced or heard of anyone ruining the engine by CORRECTLY replacing the Timing chain and Cam Phasers as outlined in your videos? Thanks for any information you or anyone else may provide.

Awesome. U explain like a real teacher. 👍🏻

I have a 5.4 triton 3 valve and broke the crank in my old 5.4 but my heads are still good they are 2 valve heads. can I use them on the new block with the 3 valve heads?

Had to replace the timing guides on mine (2006 Ford F-150 5.4L 3V 4x4). We got the Left side of the engine & chain set correctly, however, whenever we do the right side we run into this problem: The R on the right side isn’t lined in the same position the L is, and whenever we rotate the cam it rotates the camshaft and causes it to jump. So we don’t turn it that far, but when we get the chain on and let it go back, the bottom skips. Chain isn’t stretched and crank gear thing isn’t damaged either. Any tips?

Very very clean and clear video I am waiting for your next video thanks

FordTechMakuloco hey man I'm in Galena west of your shop couple hours but I'm in the city a few times a year. I owe you lunch for you guys to say the least. You have actually saved me countless nights and weekends of time saved, who knows how many thousands but I am seriously saying thank you for what you do for me and everyone else. Do I need to get a Dodge now since you got one, or do you see them enough at work already and needed a change of scenery?

All your videos are very good and very helpful thank ypu very much

Fantastic video nice work thanks for sharing :))

really great intuitive instructions here.. is it the same for the 5.4L triton 2v? I want to do my timing components soon, I suspect its due at 196k mi

Yes I use the otc tool to line it up camshafts was locked Done in correct position I have two other techs check and they also approved it. But I'm check compression tight now to see if I bent any vales.

Thanks man doing my Mustang right now..

Do you have a 2 valve timing walk through? I've been searching your page but I can't seem to find one.

Do you take the a/c off on a 2004 f150? I know it will be difficult to get the valve cover off.

The place you mentioned can be seen on the timing cover. It's the TDC mark.

ING buenos días, me interesa mucho sus videos de reparación de motores gracias por compartir tus conocimientos y consejos

Other than the cam phaser issue, is their any other problem area on this engine? I was wondering because I am debating on a 2009 f150 with the 5.4 or a 2014 with the 5.0. Not sure which one to choose. I have heard of the 5.0 engine having warped cylinders or blocks on certain year models from 2011 on. Also wondering if you know anything about that. Thanks for the videos, they are very helpful for DIY people like me.

very well explain it! thank you so much brother!!

Great video , Thanks for your time and sharing your knowledge. I have a question on my 05 expedition 5.4 ,3 v. My cam phasers both are L,s. Should the right bank be timed by the opposing 180 degree mark?

What timing chain and phaser kit do you recommend for my 04’ F-150 Lariat?? Thanks in advance

Exelente explicacion me gustaria aprender mas

I've said this before. This man is a master what's Ford modular motors, great mechanic he was in my he would do my stuff if I had enough money where I don't have to do it myself

I’ve watched several of your videos and they are very helpful but I still don’t understand how you put the cam followers back in after you put the timing chains on

when you put the bottom chain gear on, did you push it on until it stopped? is there any amount of space you should leave behind the gear?

The timing kit mentioned on your post from Amazon is good. So I can purchase it on a 2005 5.4 triton 4/4 truck .let me thank you for awesome videos on fords repair

Great video this guy is the bomb and an encyclopedia of knowledge... But just wondering if it is already torn down that far why not put the cam phaser lockouts in it from livernoise racing and the racing chain guides that they sell on summit racing as an upgrade that way it's done for the life of the engine???

I am planning on doing phaser lock out kit from Livernois and the chains/guides/oil pump at the same time. Lock out kit can be done without removing followers. Is there any way to do timing without removing followers? Watched both your phaser/timing vids. If everything is off at once will the cam shaft stay locked? Does it matter if the whole timing procedure is being done? Thanks so much for your vids!

You are my mechanic Jesus. I follow your vids to the word and the job always ends up being a lot easier than I expected. Thank for your service....

Hey Brian what is the correct procedure if I were to be replacing the chain tensioners and nothing else? Can the engine go out of timing when removing the tensioners?

I have a two valve 4.6 is the melling oil pump the best for this truck f150 2006 and is best to do timing chain set the same time thank you

@FordTechMakuloco do you have another link for the timing chain kit? The one you shared on amazon is sold out

Hey I have a 2006 Ford Expedition 5.4 3 valve and we redone the cam phasers , timing chain , guides and tensioner , and now it keeps coming up with a pending code for po345 and po349 and it is running lean on the driver side also . We have checked all the wiring and for vacuum leaks and can't find anything , I made sure it was timed like you said in the video , we also replaced the vct sensors both and switched the cam sensors with the other side . It has a shitty idle also and you can pull the coil plugs on drivers side and it doesn't change . Any help would be great I pulled valve cover back off and the timing marks are not lined up when we turn it over but will they line back up the marks by turning it over by hand because I have turned it over a bunch and it is in a different spot everytime on the cam phasers the two black links ?

the timing designed that easier and smarter than German made. Thanks Your Video!

Hi, great videos. One question: is there any other less expensive kit available that you can recommend. I see on Amazon and rockauto's several kits for a fraction of the price. However I have no trustworthy reference. Tnx in advance.

Good Stuff! Thanks for sharing.

Hey FORDTECH do you absolutely have to take the valves loose to be able to get cams in correct position because I can move the cam with a little force 4 inches either way and get it to where its just about to roll over and get the chain on

@fordtechMakuloco what tool number did you use to lock the cams?

You are the best man,will love to work with you tho,if you okay with me.Am Alex from Ghana,a mechanical engineer.Just working on the same engine here man.thumbs up to you

great instructions here. thanks for being so thorough. Do you know if the process is similar on the 2-valve motors? I'm about to pull the heads on my Excursion with a 2V 6.8L v10.