2005 rough Idle and loss of power
 

Hello all
Joined the forum with hopes of getting my f150 running right so i can enjoy it like everyone else does. I have a 2005 Ford f150 with a 5.4 auto.

It has a rough idle(shakes the truck), very little power, and poor gas mileage. Randomly It will throw a code for misfire on 1 and/or 3 on start up only. It does seem to perform better within the first few of starting but dies right off after that. In fact i got stuck in the snow the other day and it could barely break the tires loose to try and get it out (almost put in 4low cause i didn't want to hurt the trans)

I have replaced:
Cats
Fuel pump
Plugs (motorcraft)
Random Coils
Did the timing chains and phasers
MAF
All new injectors
Intake gasket

Was at my mechanics and had a scanner on it and at idle the 1-4 cylinders are all show a negative cylinder contribution. But when you rev it up they all go to 0 across the board.

Was kind of thinking about the Variable Timing solenoid.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Just might be the solenoid. Also, check all the vacuum tubes and EGR tube. The easiest way is with a can of carb and choke cleaner. With the engine running, start spraying the cleaner around. When the engine revs when you spray an area, there's a leak. Repair it and try another area.

vct solenoid is stuck

Replaced both vct solenoids still having same problem. Can find any vacuum leaks. Could I have gotten a bad cam phaser?

No new codes? What does the vct error pid say?

No codes anymore.

Disconnect the battery and leave it disconnected for 20 to 30 minutes. Reconnect the battery and see if the problem is still present.

will give a try in the morning. Thanks

Not any better :-(

FYI, I'm having a similar issue. ANy thoughts?

After a long discussion with my mechanic we ended up pulling the front cover off again and found one of the new cam phasers that was 6 months old was bad. The hole of the pin that locks it in place was oblonged causeing the timing to jump all around. That is why bank one cylinder contrabuitons was all over the board at idle. hope that helps

mtbinva what all have you done to yours and what is it doing?

OK, lots of research and lots of suggestions, so I want to type up the synopsis of what has happened so I can narrow down my search to fix the issue. I’m unemployed, so money becomes a bit of and issue as well.

2005 F150 FX4 SC

Issue began with a low RPM harsh stutter. Codes said Cylinder 3 misfire and running too lean. Last December I had the plugs changed, 2 days after Christmas. Truck ran great for two weeks, and then the check engine light came back on; multiple misfires and running too rich, bank one and two running to lean. Only happened when it was cold, but would then run fine. There was the faint spell of gas.

Again, the rough idle was only when cold. Two weeks ago, while driving, the engine started to run so rough; it could hardly make it up a small grade. I replaced the O2 sensors since the truck has a lot of mile on it. Very marginal improvement but goes back to a rough idle. It almost gives the sense of the timing being way off.

No codes showed up as of yet. I’ve had many opinions on the issue, and all “sound” plausible.

My first thought is to change the coil packs. It seems the misfires are so bad it can hardly run. Second thought was since there was the cold rough idling and then gas smell is the Cat’s are fried due to a fuel dump into them. The dealer said there might be an issue with the Cat’s. Again, this is simple speculation at this point.

Any suggestions are GREATLY appreciated. I do have the OBDII reader, and two apps on the iPad that lets me read the codes, and one simple app that lets me add and read PID’s. Any suggestions on where to start and get the performance of what the OBDII gives me would be awesome.

Again, I appreciate any assistance.

I started the truck today, and this is what I was able to get.

I started the truck and ran the computer. No codes yet, and the truck barely idles.

Pending code: P0353 Ignition Coil "C" Primary/Secondary circuit (per DashCommand)

Code verified with EngineLink HD.

Per Ford codes: P0353 Ignition coil no. 3 primary circuit fault


This error did exist prior to the plug change. I know the stored codes before I reset the computer was multiple misfire, all cylinders and too lean a condition banks one and two. Sadly I do not have those codes since it was read at an auto-parts store and I've since reset the computer.

Truck started and idled rough, barely ran. Backfires, up front, the cat I believe but not verified.

since you are having problems with both banks have you cleaned your mass airflow sensor?

I did BEFORE the plug change. no change. Thats not to say its bad now.

Could the FDPM be at issue?

im not really sure. normally the fdpm goes bad it will not start

yours really sounds like a plugged cats..any way to pressure check infront of and behind the cat witha pressure gauge?

No, I have not as of yet.

I replaced the #3 COP; however it will not start. Cranks smoother, but no start. I have to get a regular 5/8" since the one I have has a swivel on the end. I believe the plug is loose and will test check in the AM. The old COP smelled of gas.

Pull the front o2 sensors ands let them dangle we can worry about the coil primary circuit later as that will not cause a no start nor a rough enough idle to die out once o2 are pulled start truck and see how it idles.

Will do. The O2's are new.

I replaced the COP, and found the plug was loose; so much so it came out by hand.

Ok, loose plug issue has been resolved insofar as the COP replaced and the plug re- tightened. Now the issue is the engine will not start. It turns over but does not hit. As I try to start it, the smell of gas from the tail pipe is strong.

Since the plug was replaced by the dealership, it should be covered under warranty, but they won't come get the truck. The also will not fix whatever else is wrong due to the loose spark plug.

are all of the plugs changed? I have seen plugs get so fuel fouled which yours may be from all the cranking and they will not start until changed out. You said had all these timing issues and fixed the vct system but now the plugs may be done for I have seen it before even on a lot truck that all it di was idle. Since there has been so much fuel in the cylinder have you tried the clear flood procedure and then give it a shot of ether?

Just Saw this
 

Here is a link to a recall by Ford, addresses rough idle and ticking noise;

5.4L Triton V8-Powered Fords Called Over Idling Issue - autoevolution

Have you tried checking and compare the compression rate for each cylinder yet?

I had similar problem with my 05 scab 5.4 .it run rough with a slight miss at times.had no power.got bad gas mileage. I put a tube of engine revitalant made for up to ten litters of oil. Made by xado. those ruskies are up to something. .after engine ran about 600 miles, I've got more power to pass and getting much better gas mileage.It stopped smoking.the vct now works like it should.and I can scratch a patch if I need to. I have tried it in several cars with very good results. complete drivetrains. have tested if for over a year in other cars so I know it lasts ( warranted for 62,000 miles) 100,000km. I'm retired with over 45 yrs. wrenching on cars and heavy equipment.I have never seen anything like it. I was amazed by it so well I started selling it.myself. ( you don't know what you don't know until you know it)