My 2005 5.4 3v with 8k miles sounds worse then my 2000 5.4 with 193k miles (running strong with i belive pistin slap for about 40k miles), does anyone know what it might be... both sides of my engine just has a light tap to it cold or warm (more on the warm side) which i havent notice on other 3v engines.. its been doing it since ive picked it up with 200 miles and of corse the dealer says theirs nothing wrong.. any suggestions?

 

Possible injectors? My truck sounds like a "tapping" also but I know its the injectors and not PS.

 

Thanks.. ive had a fuel injecter replaced already.. i guess ima bring it back n see if they find anything else

 

I know the sound you're talking about. Tried to post this twice yesterday but computer wasn't cooperating. My 5.4L with 11k miles was in the shop 1/18/05 for the same noise. Dealer printed out a report from Oasis which I think is a data base that collects complaints and tells how to repair the problem. Oasis says: Special Service Messages---18342 2004-2005 F-150 5.4L 3V - Ticking noise from upper engine. The service rep called it ticking, I call it knocking. Kind of know the difference. They did not repair mine. They said that the original repair specified by ford engineers did not work so they are still working on an acceptable repair. Gets a little more complicated in the description when they describe how to fix the problem. Rep said it has something to do with getting alot of oil to the upper right side of the engine. Said it was ok to dirve, just sounded bad. Not sure if it's a line of BS or not. He said to call back in a couple of months.

 

mechanic friends say to get rid of ticking noise u have to replace a cam gear thats under recall...

 

I have the same knocking sound mostly when warm on my 2005 5.4 3v with 1K miles. Just thought I'd get on here and see if there was any info on the subject. I have the knock and also seems the lifters are very noisy.

RickC528

 

I see I am not alone with this issue. I just bought a 2005 F-150 Supercab XLT w/ 5.4L on 3/14/05, on 4/9 I took it to the dealership due to a knocking sound (sounds like lifters to me). The response from the dealrship was that I need a new engine. The truck now has 960 miles on it. I am not too impressed with having the motor replaced on a vehicle I have only had for 3-1/2 weeks.
I guess I am fairly lucky compared to some, at least my dealership is already pursueing the replacement of the engine, instead of giving me the runaround.

 

I have about 1500 miles on my 5.4 SuperCrew. I had noticed a little noise when it is warm, thought it was lifters. guess maybe I need to take it in to have them check it out.

 

Like I said, my truck is about 4 weeks old (since I purchased) and the knocking started about a week ago, at least it became more noticeable then. In the beginning it only seemed to be at start-up after sitting overnight, then it became more frequent. By the time I brought it to the dealership on Saturday morning, it had gotten much worse.
I was told today by the service manager that it was due to "faulty sprockets on the cam shaft" which Ford already knows about. He referenced a service bulletin SSM-18342, I haven't had a chance to try and find out the info on this bulletin yet.
After ready other posts I am grateful the dealership didn't try to send me on my way by saying it was "normal".

Good luck!

 

Its called the cam phaser guys. Had to have the right side one replaced on my 05 two weeks ago. It makes a knocking sound at idle only and only when engine is completely warmed up. It is the cam sprocket for the new variable valve timing these engines have. For some reason only the right side ones are going bad. It is a warranty repair and engine is completely quiet at idle now so its fixable.

 

Well my F-150 5.4 was in the dealership from 3-17 til 3-24 getting new camshaft phaser. Knock then seemed a bit better but since has gotten much worse than before. Now it comes and goes but when it comes it is very loud. It knocked so loud yesterday for about 30 seconds, that we pulled over and stopped, thinking it was going to be the end for the motor but then it quit and we went on our way.

 

Rickc I would get back with your dealer and see if they replaced both phasers or just the passenger side one. Here at my work we are seeing mostly the right one making noise but its possible your other one went bad also. Once they are right these engines really are quiet...cept for that damn injector tick!

 

I would like to thank you SAJEFFC for the valuable information on the cam shaft phaser. As soon as I get some relief in my working hours I plan on getting the truck back in for service again to check out the knocking sound again and ask them about the left side. I can live with the constant ticking from the injectors as long as I know that the noise is not a sign of future failure although I do know that consistant bad valve timing will eventually lead to engine damage.

 

your very welcome sir and good luck!

 

well thanks alot guys i will call my dealer and bitch them out .