So I bought a 2005 Ford 150 Lariat with the 5.4 L 3v Triton Engine. 158,000 miles. Extremely well maintaine. I Tuned it up, plugs changed, oil changed. Has a cold air intake and aftermarket Viper alarm. I have timing chain slap at startup, but no other problems for 3000 miles until now.

It just started intermittangly rattling like marbles in a can in the front end. I know about the cam phaser problem. However, I listened to it and both sides of the engine rattle. Wouldn't this mean both set of phasers or VCT solenioids went bad at exactly the same time if it was the cam phasers. Seems highly unlikely to me. I thought maybe it was an oil problem.

Any advice on how to diagnose the problem before I spring for $2K to work on the cam phasers and timing chain? Thanks for your help. I'm new to trucks.

 

I believe these engines have a hydraulic cam chain tensioner, I'd look at that

 

I assume you know what pinging is and it isn't that. 2004-2005 can run very lean with a CAI and no custom tune. They came from the factory with a lean tune and the CAI can put them over the limit.

 

I know about the cam tensioner problem and I can also recognize pinging. I wish it were pinging, but that isn't it. Just wondering what could cause the rattling on both sides of the engine at the same time. Hoping it is a relatively simple fix to the oil system.