I have a 2004 f150 Lariat 4X4 with the 5.4L V8. I bought it used with 40K and now it has 70k. i noticed after I bought it that it had a slight engine tick to it. Its nothing terrible but it is noticable. It doesn't do it when you start it cold. It only does it when its warm and it hasn't gotten worse or better. Tick tick tick tick. Sometimes like a diesel sound? Sorry wish you could hear it!

Any suggestions what it might be? Doesn't smoke, hesitate or anything like that. It just bugs me. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

Does it sound like diesel clatter, or is it just a light ticking?

If it is as loud as a diesel you have cam phaser issues, fairly common with the 5.4 3v. If it's just a light ticking, it's only normal injector noise, nothing to worry about.

 

Its fairly loud. Its a tick but has the sound of a diesel first came to my mind when I started noticing it. Has never gotten better or worse. No service engine lights or anything else. Can FORD pick it up on their machines and fix it or do ya just live with it?

 

Most Ford dealerships will know if that's the problem, it was fairly common on the 04-05s I think. There is even a thread where a guy did the replacement himself.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...placement.html

Personally, I have never heard what the bad cam phasers sound like as my truck hasn't had this problem, but I know most people describe it as a diesel sound at idle.

 

Thanks for your help!

 

I would also suggest checking to see if any of your plugs are backing out.I had the same problem thaught it was a leak in my headders til one of my plugs actually blew out and took one of the injectors with it.

 

The 04+ 3V's do not have the spark plug ejection issue. Exactly the opposite - they break off in the heads when you try to pull them.

 

Kansas04.....I'm interested to know if you found out the culprit behind your ticking. I have an 01 Harley and have started to hear the same ticking sound. When running with the hood closed, you can hear it more coming from beneath the wheel well on the passenger's side more so than the driver's. After inspecting, my brother and I are thinking it's coming from an injector, but we are not sure. We eliminated a bad pulley by taking off the serpentine belt and starting the engine. The ticking was still there. I want to find out a definite answer so that if it can potentially become a huge problem, I can take care of it before it gets too far gone.

 

Yea, stethoscope the fuel rail, use a long screwdriver. Those injectors can be loud. Mine echo thru headers lol.

 

Does the ticking indicate a bad injector? If the injector was bad, wouldn't it throw a code?

 

1 -No

2- Maybe, depends on what kind of bad

 

The ticking is annoying. I don't think I can wait for a code. Only thing now is determining which injector is the culprit. It's a sunny day in my part of Bama, under the hood I go. This forum is the best thing since sliced bread and beer.

 

found out the ticking was due to a loose plug. a couple days ago, the plug blew out taking out the head threads with it. A member suggested using a timesert is that similar to a heli-coil? I was lucky enough to find a 5.4 with 21K miles out of a wrecked Lighting. Am now wondering if I will be able to use the supercharger. My Harley is an 01 which did not come with a supercharger. I'm thinking that if I were to use the supercharger, I would have to make several changes (tranny, wiring, chip, etc.) Any input on this will be appreciated. Yea or nay on using the supercharger?

 

oofff, YEA!!! 21k - Holey %$$##%% !! That's a 5 or 6 grand motor in high demand!! Yea , you lucked out.. Just fix the head in your current motor. It's fairly easy with a "BigSert" kit and you don't have to remove.

 

I'm going with the 21K motor since I got a hell-u-v-a deal on it and my motor had over 200K miles. I'm wondering though if I am able to use the supercharger and if so, what changes will i need to make to my truck? The motor has the supercharger and all connections, just not sure what i need to add to accomodate. Anyone that has done this before, i would appreciate any info. I'm also concerned with overpowering the tranny if I use the supercharger. Do you think that will be an issue?