Just bought a new 2010 f-150 supercrew with the 5.4 liter ffv engine. Trruck has 100 miles on it. Not sure if it my imagination but i think i hear a valve tap from the engine. I can hear it while sitting in cab at an idle. Almost sounds like a deisel but much quieter. I have only filled up with gas once and used sunoco regular unleaded ( 87 octane ) also ran a sync diagnogistic and everything seams fine. and yes the manual states some engine noise is normal. any thoughts on this am i loosing my mind? are my valves tapping or is this a normal noise for this engine?

any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Welcome to the 5.4L 3v cam phaser world.
Likely normal. Turn up the radio.

 

I have a new 2010 f150 as well and I hear the same thing. I think it's normal. Also ford recommends that we do a break in period on the engine. Just give it a chance to break in and let those piston rings seat. With that said don't go driving 80mph down the highway

 

I was freaking out about the same thing. It drove me nuts sitting at red lights. My buddy popped the hood on his '06 5.4 and sure enough, his does the same thing.

 

I believe it is the fuel injectors making that noise which is normal. If the cam phaser was the problem the noise would be considerably louder and more like a knocking sound. I had the cam phaser noise on my '04. Sounded like a diesel when sitting at a drive-thru or next to a building.

 

Thanks to all for the info. Nice to know im not loosing my mind.
Great website !!!

 

It's the injectors, very common compliant, unless the phaser (VCT) is broken (unlikely I would think).

Take a look at episode 22 of the following link to help with understanding noise from the engine. They have samples of the common emitters.

http://www.flatratetech.com/index.php?categoryid=4

 

I was freaking over this too! I was like WHOA I have a serious spark knock / some sort of major tick and yes it sounds like a diesel so I am very glad that I read this thread before going to the dealership.

 

Try this ,with engine hot hold rpm between 800 and 1200 and listen to the loud clatter and tapping sounds that these 3v engines make. The sounds these cam phasers make is terrible.

 

My 2007 is quiet as can be at 45K miles! However I have used nothing but a full Syn 5W-20 & MotorCraft filters since! I think it greatly helps with these Phaser Modular V8motors!

 

Supercrewman , glad to here you got a quiet one. Mine has only 12,000 miles
4 oil changes with m/c oil and filter , the thing clatters away like mad.

 

thanks xciton, great video very informative. the noise i hear is def the fuel injectors.

 

I have a 2009 lariat f150 5.4 ffl. Its now been like 30 degrees out here and when i start my truck and step on the gas i can hear a knocking noise coming from under the engine. This will continue until the truck is within operating temperatures and then goes away. spoke to one of the Hardline techs at Ford and they said that its Piston Slap and is a normal thing to occur during cold weather and is not a concern. He also said that this occurs on all 5.4 f150 since 2003.... Any ideas or comments guys!

 

What kind of oil filter are you using?

 

I have the maintenance plan with Ford and per the service receipt, they are putting in 5w-20 and its the FL-820S