I have a noise coming from the bottom end of my engine. Keep in mind it is more prominent when cold and only heard at idle.

It is NOT the injectors. I know what they sound like and they are heard very clearly from the top of the motor.

This bottom end sound can be heard very clearly from the wheel wells and underneath the truck. It is very noticeable at idle and idles with the engine. Meaning, if I am stopped in DRIVE it does it and if I put it in PARK it idles up with the engine. So, it has to be in the engine. Unless it is the TQ converter.

There is no apparent engine power loss, gauges look great and oil smells clean and good. I am concerned because it has become more noticeable as the weather got colder. It definitely didnt do this when it was new. The dealer tells me that I am "listening to an engine run".

I think not. It doesnt sound like that to me. My brother has a 5.4L 3V too and his does NOT do this at all.

Normally a knock gets louder if you rev the engine....it appears to go away if I rev the engine. Weird.

Anyone have any ideas? Troyer thinks it might be some harmless piston slap. I dunno. But, I am concerned.

 

What kind of oil are you running?

 

Mobil 1 synthetic 10W30...but the filter is just a plain old filter the guys used at the oil change station.

I think I have piston slap actually. But, the signs for me are different. It is more prominent at a cold start up.....but it is still audible after the engine warms up...but only at an idle.

I cant hear it after it warms up and I rev it, but I can hear it at idle.

How damaging is piston slap. I always heard it was relatively harmless. But, if it robs power or damages I am getting a new engine. Plain and simple.

 

how do you know you arent using too heavy of an oil?? 10-30 is quite a bit different than 5w-20....sounds to me like you are starving part of your engine for oil when its cold on start-up....i dunno, before anything else i would put some thinner oil in....these new engines have amazingly small clearances and too thick of an oil can cause problems.....

 

No, 10W30 is good to go. Mike Troyer recommended it to me as a matter of fact.

BTW, wouldnt the thicker oil make up for some of the additional clearance?

I dont know. All i know is it is there. I downloaded a sound clip of a GM model with the piston slap and mine is NOWHERE near that severe.

But, it is there. No doubt.

I am due for an oil change and I am going to run a better oil filter for synthetic. So, we'll see.

 

18342 2004-2005 F-150 5.4L 3V - TICKING NOISE FROM UPPER ENGINE
SOME 2004-2005 F-150 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5.4L 3-VALVE ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A TICKING NOISE FROM THE UPPER ENGINE. IF THE NOISE IS LIGHT, COMES FROM THE TOP FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE, OCCURS AT IDLE, GOES AWAY ABOVE 1000 RPM, AND IS MORE PRONOUNCED AS OIL TEMPERATURE INCREASES (ABOVE 160F/71C), REPLACE THE CAM PHASER WITH KIT 3R2Z-6A257-AA (INTERCHANGEABLE SIDE TO SIDE). IF THE TICKING NOISE DOES NOT MATCH THESE SYMPTOMS, CHECK INSTEAD FOR COLLAPSED LASH ADJUSTERS AND/OR CAM SHAFTS THAT MAY BE GALLED.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/16/2004

Edited to add: Your noise is coming from the lower end, oops. This still might be something worth checking in to.

 

hellbound you ever find out what that clicking was? I'm having a similar issue, thanks.