Cam Phaser = New engine???

[BeeEyez]

Hey all, had the dreaded cam phaser rattle for a little while, decided it was time to get it taken care of. Took it into my local dealership and when they got into the motor, they said that there was scoring on the cams and that I'll need a whole new long block. Ive never heard of a cam phaser issue causing the need of a whole new motor, is that really the case? @FordTechOne have you seen issues like this before?

 

[FordTechOne]

Hey all, had the dreaded cam phaser rattle for a little while, decided it was time to get it taken care of. Took it into my local dealership and when they got into the motor, they said that there was scoring on the cams and that I'll need a whole new long block. Ive never heard of a cam phaser issue causing the need of a whole new motor, is that really the case? @FordTechOne have you seen issues like this before

Yep. Unfortunately more times than you’d think.

That is directly caused by one of two things:

1. Low oil level. It starves the top end so badly that the PCM loses control of the VCT units. There’s no lubrication so the cam journals score.

2. Lack of maintenance. Same as above, but without sufficient oil changes over a longer period of time.

So either way it’s heads or a long block. Knowing that #1 or 2 above happened at some point, 100% get the long block.

 

[BeeEyez]

should I be buying it through the dealer? or is there somewhere else I could look?

also, I dont neglect the truck at all, I change the oil routinely and never have had it below a level of full. I just don't see how this could have happened to me!

 

[FordTechOne]

should I be buying it through the dealer? or is there somewhere else I could look?

Depends who’s doing the work. If you can choose where you buy it, Tasca Ford and Ford Parts Giant are typically the cheapest.

There are aftermarket options as well if you’re looking for upgrades/more performance, but I have no experience with them.

 

[BeeEyez]

Would a dealership allow me to buy through tasca or FPG? Or would they order it through them?

 

[FordTechOne]

Would a dealership allow me to buy through tasca or FPG? Or would they order it through them?

Not likely, but I’d request a price match at least.

 

[BeeEyez]

Not likely, but I’d request a price match at least.

so just talked to them, they are quoting me $25k for a new long block/install. seemed pretty high to me since the dealer said beforehand that it was likely a $15k (ballpark) job.

 

[FordTechOne]

so just talked to them, they are quoting me $25k for a new long block/install. seemed pretty high to me since the dealer said beforehand that it was likely a $15k (ballpark) job.

That’s absolutely ridiculous and highway robbery at best.

Demand an itemized estimate, that way you can directly compare parts prices and expose they’re scheme.

 

[BeeEyez]

felt the same, its odd that they said that this could be an issue (pre-meditating) before hand then it just happens to occur. would they do the cam phasers and put the motor back together if I asked them to? and just lived with the scoring?