Ford 5.4L 3v Triton Engines Stalling at Stops: Free Fix to Get You Home! 

June 26-2023 Was stuck on 84 coming from NYC heading to PA. Was bout to call tow. Found your video!!!! I'm at destination typing you this!!! THANK YOU !!!!!! This New Yorker IS GREATFULL !!!

everbody owes makuloco his tips have saved thousands .mullions of dollers and keeps ford strong .

Dude. You just saved the day. I have a baby about to be born. And now i can get her to hospital. Thank you Jesus.

I cannot express enough gratitude and thankfulness for you having post your videos so that people like me and the others who own a 5.4 Triton Ford engine have some way of getting home instead of having to walk thanks a lot.

I sold my 07 F150 5.4 a few years ago after replacing the complete timing kit,spark plugs,exhaust manifold. But here I am still watching these videos High-fiving myself for selling it...

Thank you! My 04 started idling rough the other day, and the valves were clanging too. Took it to Ford dealer, and guess what they said? "You need a new engine, and converters on both sides. $8600." Something didn't sound right to me, so I started investigating and found you. While I am no mechanic, I did find one who agrees this issue is NOT a bad engine, and I am gonna have him watch this video because this is exactly what my truck is doing. Again, thank you!!

Thank you for the video. My wife and I were in three lanes of traffic when my truck went into fail safe mode. I was able to fix it on the spot and get us home. Thank you so much.

Just did this on my 2007 5.4. Worked like a charm. Had to unbolt the power steering reservoir and move it out of the way to get to the solenoid on the right side, but easy to do. Truck feels slow on acceleration as expected, but no more shake, rattle and stall.

I've had many 5.4 engines, mainly in Navigators but I always would trade them at around 60,000 or so miles. My current one has 174,000 miles and everything you described was happening to mine. Very rough idle at times, loss of power at highways speeds. You could raise the rpm in traffic to around 2,500 rpm and it was idle normally for a while. This told me it probably wasn't the phasers but rather the vct solenoids. I took your advice and unplugged both vct solenoids and went for a thirty mile drive. It was so nice to have a smooth running Navigator again. I had already ordered the vct solenoids and plan to swap them out this Sunday, I also had replaced both camshaft sensors. You are without a doubt the 5.4 king on youtube and I will be buying some merch just to support you. Thank you so much for this video!

My '05 (with 244k on it) started this crap after a trip from Florida to NY to purchase a vintage truck camper. 3k lbs. About 3 months after i got back to Florida it started this crap. Did the plugs, coils, and the vct solenoids. Runs like new. I mean brand new! Smooth as silk. Tranny still the smoothest I've ever driven. I got no problem with a $700 repair after nearly a quarter million miles. Looking forward to another quarter million!

Thank you for your service in the United States Marines . I have learned greatly from your videos .

Thanks alot for this video. I have an 06 w/ a 5.4 & 165k on it. Been hearing that tapping noise for awhile. It stalled out yesterday while driving w/ my kids. I pulled over, parked, turned off, waited & restarted and had no more problems. Scared the hell out of me because I lost all power steering & engine power. I found your video this morning, disconnected the components and drove it for 5 miles. No problems & even better, no check engine light either! Thanks again for helping a non-mechanic feel safe driving with his family. Have a great day.

Thanks! I really appreciate any mechanic who does so much more than being a parts salesman! Unfortunately mechanics and doctors these days have a replace over repair mindset

I was stuck Sunday night with my family leaving a restaurant and this happen to me. Thanks to your video I was able to get them home safe.

I wish you wouldn't have made so many of these videos, because I think I have repaired everything in my 5.4 that you have made a video on. Seriously, and if you make one and say it's a common issue, I go right to the store and get the parts to get it over with.

This guy is very informative and knows exactly what hes talking about I've learnt so much from him Continue to good work brother

This guy is the best f150 mechanic I’ve seen on RU-vid

Dude, you are awesome. I can’t stop watching your stuff, just bought a 07 f150 w/ 37,500 miles that was used at a power plant in TN. It has a few knocks and twangs, but I am now taking it all apart and redoing the engine, thanks so much for all your help!

God bless you man. I just did what you did on my 05 f150 and it appears to be fixed. No stalls in the past 30 minutes and doesn’t idle violently

I'm watch your tech videos the most cause my 05 5.4 is going to send me straight to the looney bin. Haven't tried this yet but I'm about to. Thank you for all you do. Even if it's not my issue. You explain things. Best out there!!👏

This guy is the most helpful on the internet. Good shit!

I’m a huge Ford fan. I currently own a 98 Expo EB edition. I’ve never had any issues with Ford, just regular maintenance. Why could Ford leave well enough alone. Great videos.

Wow at 87 K. So glad I got rid of my 05 back in 09 before I had to deal with any of the dreaded 5.4 issues

Answered prayer...all day of watching videos helpful just not what I needed until I saw you're sir

I gotta keep this in mind. My 08 has 122000 and so far is still running ok.

I work in an auto repair shop. A few months ago, a customer showed up with a F 150 he had recently bought, for an oil change. He also wanted a scan for the check engine light. Long story short, the used car dealer had disconnected the two solenoids and put the connectors back on the solenoids without clicking them. To the untrained eye, it looked like they were fully in. As soon as I plugged them in fully, boom! Timing issues. The dealer KNEW about the problem and hid it. Talk about unscrupulous...Of course, the customer went to see them, and they had to pay for the full timing repair, or else take a trip to court. Just goes to show, before buying, have it inspected!!

you r a 2000 dollar savings video thanks man that was a great Christmas present

Thank you so much! Quality and honest work is priceless and its a dying set of habits unfortunately! You should be proud of your self. I would be! God bless!

I WATCH UR VIDEOS AND HAVE FIXED MY TRUCK NUMEROUS TIMES WITH YOUR VIDEOS!! THANKS,

You’re the man!!! I trust your advice, because you’re not a biased person and it seems and shows that you are very knowledgeable about Ford, thanks for all that you do for the public

Simply brilliance! Just oozing with knowledge! I got rid of my 2004 F150 5.4Triton POS for a 2012 3.5EB. She's better, but she's still a Ford, lol. I had no idea what the purpose of the VCT was related to, and I'm glad you touched on it, Brian. Another awesome video. Semper Fi.

Thank you, sir! God bless you! You didn’t have to give us this info and I appreciate it!!!!

Ford took an enormous nose dive with this over-engineered engine. If I'd have known, I'd a never bought a truck with one. I got rid of mine and guess what? I'm buying and old F150 with an inline six in it. That's when a Ford was a Ford and not junk.

I watch this guy all the time has all the answers

U r a flippin genius!! Always great videos!! If anybody reads this, go back and watch some of his older videos on replacing heater cores and servo control motors in and behind the dash. They r absolute classics. One where he sort of hinges the whole dash out while leaving most everything connected. Can’t wait till u get your rack. The kind that lifts cars up. Loo

I unhooked the VCTs. That works,thanks. So you're saying I'm gonna have to tear the engine apart to fix the main problem??

Awesome video really helped me out tremendously!!!! And a big thanks for your service in our military...

Thank You so much, I've already changed the OCV's and still have the same problem. My next step is to install the cam phaser locks but don't have the time right now. Most useful info! Thank you!

Awesome as always! Helping people and sharing valuable information too. Thanks!

How long can I run my engine like this? I only have this issue when it’s warm

5.4 Triton 2005 Ford F150 Lariat .All of a sudden started running rough, would die out at intersections . Unplugged the passenger side VCT and all of a sudden it was running smooth. Thanks for the quick fix especially when its -30F out. I didn't check the driver side VCT only because it was -20 outside and the plug didn't want to let loose.

I just bought a high mileage 06 that's doing that very thing thank you

❤ my 07 is acting up. I am NOT an auto Mech. My son is but getting anything from him is pretty much impossible. Anyway I appreciate that you’re mindset is helping people get down the road. I can afford a new truck but I rarely drive what I have. Thank you for your service

My truck is a 2010 f150 with only 105000kms on it and its starting to idle rough when its hot, this video answers alot of questions for me, now i know i should get rid of the truck before it gets worse. Im a high school student so i cant afford to put thousands into the motor just to keep it running. Thanks for this helpful video

You got a sub from me my man. I believe I have that issue among others, I know there is a speed sensor, also I need. Plus the gas gauge hasn't worked since I got it.

This was a big help in figuring out what was wrong with my truck!! Thanks for making this video!

Awesome video. This video popped up a couple weeks ago and I had planned to watch it. My truck acted up on my way home and I plan to try this in the morning.

Just has this happen to me tonight thank you so much for this you’re amazing

Hi, i have a issue with a message oil low presure and safe mode engine. To fix this issue, I followed the instructions to said in this video, I unpluged both side. I have a F150 5.4l 2008 with 170,000 kms.Thank you

This helped a lot I thought it didn’t but you have to started up agian plugged so it idles smooth and the cam phaser unlock then unplug it

Thank you very much for the in depth videos man. Now just move up to MN so you can fix wrench on my truck when things go sideways. lol

Thank you Sir, your videos are very informative and helpful. I bought an 07 Expedition in August 23 from a friend for $2500. His father bought it new and it only had 94k miles on it. It sat in the carport for a few years but it was started and let idle for a few times a month. I put new brakes and spark plugs as it was serviced by the dealership at proper intervals. Recently it started hesitating on accelerating and last week it began stalling at stops and dying after restarting the motor shifting to reverse it would knock and clatter but not in drive. Any suggestions are appreciated 😊

Thanks for this valuable video, I have a 05 F-150 5.4L it would stall on stops, and backing up and just run rough and noisy sometimes, I had just changed the spark plugs no go!! Until I found your video, thanks a lot, I know I'm going to have to get that repair I have 225K I love my truck this gives me time hopefully to save up for the repairs, THANKS AGAIN!!

IVE ALREADY DONE THE TIMING AND UN CLOGGED THE CATS AND IM STILL HAVING A BIT OF SLUGGISH WHEN THE VEHICLE GETS HOT AND YOU HEAR THE CHAINS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE BUT WHEN ITS COLD IT RIDE PERFECTLY FINE BUT IN WARMER WEATHER IS WHEN IT STARTS ACTING UP DO YOU THINK IT MIGHT BE THAT ONE OF THOSE 2 SENSORS IS FAULTY?

My truck did this a while back(a couple of months ago), so I took it to a Ford dealership to have they figure out what was causing it. They had it for about a week and could not reproduce the issue and there were no codes in the CPU for them to go on. It has only happened once or twice since then!

With all the problems with the 5.4 3V males me glad lve got a 4.6 😊 love your vidieos👍👍

So, if you live in a county where there is no emissions testing, and don't have to worry about the check engine light, can you just leave these disconnected indefinitely?

I just got some check engine lights on after a long drive in the heat. After a quick stop sign. Then took off and misfiring and light popping in and off. Oh and had a oil change while in the city 5-30 or should have been. Never had this problem. 140k miles. Went away after a bit down the highway.

Thank you my 06 F150 is doing the same thing after I had a complete timing kit done about six months ago. I’m going to unplug the VCT’s and see if that makes a difference. I am so tired of throwing money away at this thing I’m almost ready to sell ugh

I did everything you did sir but my check engine light didn’t come on afterwords, is that concerning?

I tried everything that you recommended in this video and I’m still having the problem with my SUV stalling in drive and it stalls in reverse when I’m at a standstill. At this point do you think it might be my torque converter causing the problem or still something to do with timing?

Thanks for doing this video. What happens if you just let them unplugged..

I am glad I ran across this video. I have dealt with that for a while now and only have the one vehicle. At least I don't have to stop and restart. Until I can get it fixed. Thank you for the video. It helped out a lot. Where are you located? I would like to get that Rebuild for twenty two hundred

The past two days a slowly removed and replaced the original VTS from my 2009 Ford Expedition 5.4L. The real hassle was unhooking and moving to the side all the hoses and stuff blocking a quick removal of the valve covers. Per your advice I bought two brand new FORD VTS from Amazon. WOW the Expedition has quick power just like brand new and its burning less fuel. I have a valve cover gasket that did not seat well and I have to loosen all the valve cover bolts again and realign the gasket but hay thats simple enough considering.

07 5.4 at 250k miles here. I can confirm this worked for me. I just got recommended a new engine by a tech, he said a timing job on my mileage is not advised. It's a super crew 6.5 bed, and little rust, so if I can just drive it without an over retarded phaser, well that's better than my other option. I don't plan on replacing the selenoid because i don't want to remove the valve cover. Btw it is only bank 2, bank 1 is still plugged in because I'm too lazy to move the power steering bracket to access it, and my original problem of stalling plus misfire of cylinder 5 and 7, among other codes was all for bank 2. I can also confirm I changed the oil the day before I had this problem. Been using motorcraft 520 and filters since I bought it.

Found your channel as I try to diagnose an issue I have. I have the new 7.3. At idle it will randomly stubble and have a rough idle. Took it to the dealer and they said no codes, no CEL, no problem found. Started at about 800 miles and still present at 6800. Hope you start doing videos on the 7.3 to help people that have lousy dealer service center.

You are awesome brother. Thanks for your videos they have helped me out a lot God bless and stay safe.

Worked on my 2000 f150 bi-fuel... Thanks

ahh thank you soo much man my work truck and thank god i tried everything and was about to dump a bunch of money but didnt have to cheers.

Thank you so much for the video. Worked perfectly.

Ok Maybe I missed something but what’s needs to be repaired to make it run properly? I know I can unplug the two plugs but that’s a temporary fix. What needs to be done to get it right? Maybe cam phaser, chain, rocker arms? I’m wondering and need ruined those because as far as I know the engine is a stealth as long as those parts are in good shape

My f-150 with 5.4 3v stalls if I don’t ease the gas, I just replaced all of the timing components, both solenoids, phasers, chains and all that. Doesn’t make any engine noise at all. P0304 cylinder 4 misfire. That’s it. Wont barely pull itself down the road.

So I did that to mine today to rule them out and it ran horribly. I wasn't sure if I would make it back to the house. This was after new coils, plugs, cats, manifolds, clean throttle body/mass air. Still runs poorly. No valve train noise.

Hello, I have a 2006 Ford f150 and on Friday I was approaching a red light, pressed my brake and the engine stalled and the wrench light came on. Restarted the truck and only had idle and light was still on, absolutely no acceleration. Shut truck off again, let it sit 5 mins, restarted again and it was fine. Any ideas? Thank you

Hi Brian, Your videos are top notch however after seeing this one in particular I am so discouraged. We have an ‘05 F150 King Ranch that was doing this exact same thing as well as once it hit running temp or just moments prior to, it would develop a constant groaning power steering whine/whistle that would last until the motor would stall and die at which point the noise would bleed off for a split second even after the motor had completely stopped running. We took it to a guy who then diagnosed it as a torque converter locking up involuntarily as the issue. I picked it up from his shop and took it and replaced my torque converter only to have it do the same thing on start up. The truck would run beautifully at highway speed but whenever you slowed down in town or came to a stop sign it would start chattering and stall and die with the noise bleeding off after the motor was completely still. I seen one of your videos about the melting m360hv and bought one after speaking with other local mechanics whom suggested poor oil delivery as the culprit. Be all end all, during attempting to disassemble and replace the oil pump, I snapped 2 valve cover bolts off in the passenger side and 1 in driver’s so out came the motor. Upon removing the oil pan I found a small amount of metal in the bottom. Needless to say I have horrible luck so the motor went to the engine shop and will hopefully be like new very soon. Any ideas in regards to the power steering whistling like noise? I am also thinking that perhaps the VVT solenoid was big part to blame but literally just watched this particular video of yours. Thanks for all your knowledge and videos!

How long can you run it unplugged?

Man you the best there is I think that might be my problem mechanic tried to say sounds like exhaust manifold but I told him it’s on the passenger side I going to unplug them will it stop the rough idle nsound and tapping noise

I didn't have the funds for the oem solenoids went cheap now paying for it

Exact same problem. My car stalls same after a minute when the engine reaches to its temperature. Engine stopped twice today on the test run and i barely saved from a crash into parked cars. Engine stops while turning corners at low rpm. Thankfully i was expecting those stops and acted good maneaveurs. Do not try it! Choose a straight road for testing. Why i went out to a test drive was let ECU run with new spark plugs and catalyst and set itself new settings as suggested. As Makuloco says engine stops after it reaches a certain temperature and i have oil sensor issues too.

Mine does this but goes away after about 10 seconds. Not complaining though because my dad gave it to me and it has the og spark plugs and way late oil changes. 275k miles and she still gets me to job sites just fine

I have 350,000 kms on mine, and it just started to do this and throw the codes for it. At least I know I can get home in a pinch until I can replace them.

Dude you are the man worked like a charm. In Florida so no emissions here. Wonder if that means I can just leave it unplugged indefinitely or are there other drawbacks?

How do u fix this like what’s the cost of this kind of situation and how long can u leave unplugged??

im glad i started following you , i had this issue and is a pain when it stops at a traffic light and i dont have the money to repair at the moment but this help me alot thanks ...

Thanks for the tip. Mary Christmas and happy New Year's

Went out in my pj ''s unplugged mine.

Why am I still getting this engine stall phaser issues with brand new phasers and tensioners. I’m so done with this damn truck .

How long can the truck run with these unplugged?

I just changed the chain guides and dampers, VCT valves and the oil pump. It's dying at idle saying low oil pressure. I will try this tomorrow. This sucks with a capital F!

Thank you very much man for showing me this video. It did the job.

so what is it that needs replaced ? Because I have this exact problem? the tensioners?

I'm having same issues. But I replaced everything that goes with the timing. Shop said oil pressure is 70psi. And left bank is lean. Any advice?

I have the exact same vehicle. Thanks for the tip, but I only have 40K miles on mine. Gotta trade it in before those problems start..

Video idea, How about changing clutch packs in a 9.75 LS rear end?

How come it doesn’t go through the dinging chime thing system checks when you turned the key on after unplugging vcts?

How long can you run it with these disconnected.?

I have a 2002 with a 2003 5.4 in it. It started about a year ago if I leave it idling in a parking lot with the AC on for nearly an hour it will run fine as soon as I back out of the parking lot it seems okay and then as soon as I shift from reverse to drive it would stall out and be difficult to start back up for about 60 seconds as it is trying to start up and keep running at about 300 or 200 RPMs like it's not getting fuel and then it will stall completely out and start right back up just fine and then I word continue driving it and then suddenly it was stalling out every time I stopped but ran smoothly going down the road. Took it into a Pep Boys and had them diagnose the problem to be a fuel pump. Drove it home lowered the tank and put a brand new Delphi in it and it ran perfectly for about six months to a year except my code reader picks up a P0 455 and a P0 457 which doesn't affect the drive ability so I would just ignore it considering my area doesn't have inspections. Now here it is getting warm again and other than replacing coil pack after coil pack it has been over all reliable until today it's about 87 degrees outside and this afternoon I accept in the truck doing paperwork for about an hour with the AC on and as soon as I put it in reverse it backed out of the parking space and I'll let MIT I was probably doing .5 miles per hour backing up without coming to a completely dead stop and hitting Drive and then all the sudden it just stalls. I was not in Reverse fast enough to do any major harm to the transmission literally a half a mile an hour backing up and then drive and then it wouldn't start back up for about a minute and then I realized the engine was still running but running like it was out of fuel which I was at about 8 them a tank of gas but that shouldn't have affected it. So then it started back up again like normal and seemed to run fine home. I don't know what is up with this and I hope I don't have to replace the fuel pump again and if I do, something to do with the fuel system has got to be causing this something that burns up fuel pumps. Maybe the fuel pump isn't getting enough lubrication because the fuel tank is lower than a quarter tank and it's too hot outside for long-term idling maybe those three things combined it doesn't like it too well I don't know I do know the guy who installed the engine has a vacuum line plugged off and not sure what it goes to. I hope I don't have a vacuum leak in my upper intake. It consumes a little bit of oil but it has 186 K miles. However the engine is probably just over 160 k or close to it. When I first bought this truck it had a 1999 5.4 that wouldn't keep running and was stalling out like it wasn't getting any fuel and had to be fixed before I bought the truck. Maybe clogged cats? This is going to be a problem that's either fuel system related or emissions-related something not on the engine itself however that may roll out the possible vacuum leak. Maybe the computer wearing out and malfunctioning in the heat? The windshield has silicone in it and potentially leaks on to the driver side floorboard. Whoever in Florida once had this truck really didn't care for it. I just wanted paid for and got rid of. Every time I have a Ford and I can't figure out a problem I always wind up at this channel. I don't know what it is about Ford's and fueling related stalling issues. I've had three different Ford vehicles that seem to have idling issues and stalling or close to stalling and chasing down probable cause. Especially F-150s from late 80s to early 2000s. Has Ford motor company gotten any complaints about F-150 stalling out in the last 30 years of building different engines and different bodies? Intermittent stalling ranging from minutes to months to years? Funny thing is I believe this is about the time electronic fuel injection came out. I hope one of Ford's main focuses in the last decade or two has been EFI systems. I've seen similar issues on trucks SUVs and cars made by four. Lots of check engine lights and intermittent stalling and even the best mechanics don't seem to find them

ALSO WONDERING IF YOU CAN LEAVE THE ELECTRIC PLUGS OFF AND DRIVE? IT FIXED MY PROBLEM BUT HOW LONG DO I HAVE UNTIL OTHER COMPONENTS DEVELOP ISSUES?

Quick questions; a new timing kit was put in, and its acting the way yours in the video. What could it? Solenoids are dorman & oil pump is a cheap one from rock auto, what could be causing the issue?

So the real fix for this is a timing job and oil pump? I was having an intermittent loss of oil pressure before it just died. Would idle fine until put in gear or given gas would stumble and die. Unpluged the drivers side vct valve and drives fine now.