I have a 2007 5.4L 3v with about 60 miles on it (100,000km). I did the plugs and had 4 break. I then started to notice that the ticking noise I heard before is a lot louder. I took it back and they said that they could see carbon buildup on the rear passenger side exhaust port and it was unfortunate timing. He told me he would check on pricing and call me back. He called me back and it is approx $1500 to repair, not including if they break studs.

Now I don't know what to do. I'm considering trading in for a '13 EB since we recently got a bigger trailer this year I would like to tow more. In the meantime besides the god awful ticking noise, is not fixing it going to cause any issues? OK don't have any CEL's but I do notice the noise getting worse and worse.

Thoughts?

 

The ticking will only get worse & worse! It's your call.

 

Yeah I figured it wasn't going to get better, I guess my question is, if I don't fix it and see what the next 6 months holds, will not fixing it do any thing besides drive me batty? Or will something cause secondary damage causing my $1500 repair to go to $3000? I can't think of a reason why. If it got really bad I guess all that would happen is air into the o2 sensor and throw a lean code?

 

With the exhaust it leak might throw a lean code (po171/174) soon.

$1500? Sounds pretty steep to me. How much is that in U.S. dollars?

 

A few days ago I was at a red light. On the side of me was a 1989 -1999 F-150. Man did he have an exhaust leak. It was so loud & rapping. He's still driving it however! Lol

 

When I was younger I used to drive stuff like that, I would "fix" alot of it by turning up the radio! Can't stand it now, guess I'm getting old!

 

If it throws a lean code the computer will richen the air fuel ratio and your mpg will go down. Plus there is the risk of clogging the cats with the rich mixture.

 

About $1500

But what is the hourly rate at your dealership? I want to say that passenger manifold is a "12.5 hour" job on the books. If I can get into my alldatadiy account, I can confirm that.

I really don't think you'd have any issues for the next 6 months unless the ticking is BAD. These trucks tick because of manifold leaks and, slightly more infamously, the cam phaser issues. It's hard to differentiate between the two unless you know exactly what you're listening for. If you're for sure going to be ready to get a new truck in 6 months, I wouldn't fix. Otherwise I'd have it done if there's a chance you'll hang onto it for another few years. The things that can go wrong are worst case scenarios. If in the event the truck develops the CEL, have it done at the time if you so choose. Otherwise, just run it as is until you sell it. Either way, fixing it now or in 4 months, you'll be looking at the same end cost.

 

Smartly-pants, the op is in Canada, they have funny-money there.

 

The exchange rate is almost 1 to 1 right now. 1500CAD is about 1460USD.

 

Haha yeah I was going to post the same thing.

I live in a part of the country that is quite expensive as well. I think our shop rates are about $120 an hour. In Fort McMurray it is $180 or so. Just crazy.

I had the shop foreman check it out as I figured they may have left something lose when they bolted it back up from doing the plugs. He could see carbon building up on the block. Said it was either warped or just needed a gasket. I did recently start towing a 4800# dry T.T. so I would expect that more than phasors. Never had an issue with them, always used Ford Semi-Syn and their filters. You never know I guess. Here is the video of it:


Yeah if I get a CEL I will be fixing it right away. Just didnt know if it could be causing some other issues with the valves, injectors, plugs, by having cold air that close to the exhaust port.

My Brother In Law still drives his 2001 7700 F150 with a leaking exhaust manifold. Been like that for a couple years he said. His is a farm truck though so wanted to ask around here because you know farmers put their **** through hell.

 

the same happened to me.

did the plugs and the leak appeared a bit after (not related since a stud was broken).
I had it leak for about 10000km, but wasn't able to tolerate it anymore...lol(6000km vacation in 2 week was too much..lol)

ordered a dorman replacement + stud kit for about 80$.

did the job myself and took me a good 7hr to do.
No stud break else the already broken one. (took about 1hour to remove by welding a nut on it.)

 

But I said that because of this:


That does sound like an exhaust leak to me though. That's how mine sounds on start up, but I have long tube headers. It's pretty gnarly sounding, but I still don't know if it's worth $1500 to repair. $120 is about normal, even for down here, but $180 is astronomical!

 

So what do you think it is?

 

Think what is exactly? I think it sounds like an exhaust leak (I think mine are leaking too). But I'm not a mechanic, so I don't know if it's a cracked manifold, warped, and/or broken studs, or even for sure an exhaust leak. The phasers aren't usually that loud and have a faster, more consistent tick. My truck is difficult because I have sounds from both potentially. And your truck sounds the worst on a cold start, right?