Does this sound like timing chain slap?
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: North Carolina
Does this sound like timing chain slap?
does this sound like chain slap from a leaky tensioner? I do have a bad tensioner because of the start-up rattle. But I get this noise at low RPM (around 1000 rpm) while backing up or going slow. Its a slight rattle, not the same as a leaking manifold, I know what that sounds like as I had one of those too (I fixed it).
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Northern Michigan
Don't worry dude thats completely normal on the 3v, its the VCT solenoids cycling. They ALL do it, keep the RPM's around 800-1200 and this is what you will hear. Its kinda annoying sometimes but because its your truck and you are aware of the noise it sounds far worse, the average person isnt going to pay attention. Its good you pay attention, but the 3v makes alot of normal noisy noises.
And BTW Ford does know about it thats why there is a message on it:
4.6L 3V/ 5.4L 3V ENGINE TICK/RATTLE FROM VCT 800-1200 RPM - DO NOT ATTEMPT SERVICE
2009-2010 F-150 WITH 4.6L 3V, 2005-2010 F150 WITH 5.4L 3V,2005-2010 MUSTANG WITH 4,6L 3V, 2005-2010 F250, F350 WITH 5.4L3V, 2006-2010 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER WITH 4.6L 3V ENGINE, 2007-2010 SPORT TRAC WITH 4.6L 3V ENGINE, AND 2005-2011 EXPEDITIONS AND NAVIGATORS WITH 5.4L 3V ENGINES. SOME CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONCERNED WITH TICK/RATTLE NOISES FROM THE VARIABLE CAM TIMING (VCT) ON LIGHT TIP-IN ACCEL BETWEEN 800-1200 RPM. THIS CONDITION MAY BE MOST NOTICEABLE OPERATING VEHICLE IN CONFINED AREAS SUCH AS A DRIVE-THRU. THE NOISE IS ELIMINATED WHEN VCT SOLENOIDS ARE UNPLUGGED. THIS CONDITION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE ENGINE. DO NOT ATTEMPT ENGINE REPAIRS TO CHANGE THIS NORMAL CONDITION. THIS CONDITION DOES NOT AFFECT PERFORMANCE OR DURABILITY OF THE ENGINE.
And BTW Ford does know about it thats why there is a message on it:
4.6L 3V/ 5.4L 3V ENGINE TICK/RATTLE FROM VCT 800-1200 RPM - DO NOT ATTEMPT SERVICE
2009-2010 F-150 WITH 4.6L 3V, 2005-2010 F150 WITH 5.4L 3V,2005-2010 MUSTANG WITH 4,6L 3V, 2005-2010 F250, F350 WITH 5.4L3V, 2006-2010 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER WITH 4.6L 3V ENGINE, 2007-2010 SPORT TRAC WITH 4.6L 3V ENGINE, AND 2005-2011 EXPEDITIONS AND NAVIGATORS WITH 5.4L 3V ENGINES. SOME CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONCERNED WITH TICK/RATTLE NOISES FROM THE VARIABLE CAM TIMING (VCT) ON LIGHT TIP-IN ACCEL BETWEEN 800-1200 RPM. THIS CONDITION MAY BE MOST NOTICEABLE OPERATING VEHICLE IN CONFINED AREAS SUCH AS A DRIVE-THRU. THE NOISE IS ELIMINATED WHEN VCT SOLENOIDS ARE UNPLUGGED. THIS CONDITION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE ENGINE. DO NOT ATTEMPT ENGINE REPAIRS TO CHANGE THIS NORMAL CONDITION. THIS CONDITION DOES NOT AFFECT PERFORMANCE OR DURABILITY OF THE ENGINE.
Last edited by 2005BlueFX4; Aug 28, 2012 at 09:51 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
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From: Broken Arrow, OK
Don't worry dude thats completely normal on the 3v, its the VCT solenoids cycling. They ALL do it, keep the RPM's around 800-1200 and this is what you will hear. Its kinda annoying sometimes but because its your truck and you are aware of the noise it sounds far worse, the average person isnt going to pay attention. Its good you pay attention, but the 3v makes alot of normal noisy noises.
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From: In the fast lane from LA to Tokyo...
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5.4 3v's have a bad habit of breaking timing chain tensioners for no reason and what happens is the plastic clogs the pickup and engine goes boom . not saying this is your case but for all who dont know, keep that in mind if you hear chain slap,,,
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Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Wisconsin
It is the cam-phasers/solenoids. Nobody should have to deal with that sound; it is NOT normal. I just had mine replaced. Last week I thought that the noise was starting to return, but it is only a bad passenger side CAT.
