Hey,
I just bought a F150 xlt 5.4l super cap about month and half ago. For the pass few weeks I get this intermitent engine tapping noise only at an idle. I plan on having them look at it when they do my first oil change. Do anyone think I should take this in sooner?
I only have 1,100 miles on it.
Any thoughts on this?
Thanks,
John

 

John.. search under Cam Phaser.. if it is the same thing I, and well, quite a few other people have.. as you will read.. there is not quite a good fix for it yet - some people claim that "if you hear a noise it can't be good" but the service manager at my dealer said that it wasn't anything to get that worried about, and that he'd let me know when Ford has the right fix for the job. Take it for what its worth, and ask your service manager..

Oh, when you take it in.. they may try to tell you it is the injectors tapping... so be ready for that - ask lots of questions and do your research on this site - go armed with everyone elses experiences and comments.

good luck let us know how it turns out...

 

The fuel rails are noisy but not intermittent; you always hear them

 

I have noticed this same thing in my '04 5.4. It was made in sept '04, I know there have been some of the ones made before mine that have had other problems as well. Anyway, the noise is very faint most of the time, and I only hear it once in a while when the engine idles after pulling in somewhere and placing it in park when I'm ready to shut it off......or maybe sitting at a red light in drive too. But my truck runs great and I'm getting great mileage and no other real problems other than the slight "vibrating" problem in the rear and the "rubbing" feel in the front when I turn sometimes. Everything is stock on my truck. By the way, I guess the vibrating problem is still a mystery, I'm like everyone else......wondering why Ford hasn't figured this problem out yet.

 

Prolly cam phasers. Does it become more intense as engine temp increases? Goes away as engine speed increases, around 1500-2000 rpm it's gone?

If so, your dealer needs to reference SSM 18342; be advised, word has it that the current level cam phasers aren't fixing all trucks the first time, there's supposed to be a newer one in the works. Just FYI in case you hear this from your stealership, so's you don't think they've giving you the run-around or anything.