Hey everyone. So I just picked up my '08 F150 XLT Supercab 4x4 5.4L on Tuesday. Earlier today I was parked next to a wall with the window down and motor running. Then I heard it, a ticking sound. Not very loud, just a slight tick. I've heard these ticks before on other vehicles, the two main causes being lifters sticking and a leak in the manifold. Can someone confirm for me that the slight tick is a normal sound? I had been driving a while, the motor was warm, my oil pressure was fine. There are only 350 miles on the motor and I've been babying it.

Another issue I've dealt with is a thump as I accelerate. On an older truck I would expect to hear that when dealing with worn u-joints or similar, but this is brand new. It seems to occur at 40+ mph, and the thump is instantaneous when I accelerate. It's not so much the downshift thump associated with a heavy shift, it's just this slight thing.

Any answers would be great, I just want to be sure everything is normal with the truck. I absolutely love it, I just want to be cautious. Thanks

Ryan

 

your engine has not even begun to break in. im sure you will hear all kinds of noises, shutters etc... change your oil at 1500 and then again another 3k miles later. also when you do that second oil change a tranny flush might be a good idea. the reason for this is your engine is full of brand new metal parts, theyre gonna wear a bit while you break it in, changing oil alot whgile breaking it in prevents some metal from floating around.


the tick you mention could be an exhaust leak, or just your injectors or any of a lot of different things. you have alot of warranty left so give it a few weeks and see what happens. then if its still there go see ford and see what they say.

grats on the new truck!

 

my engine has 123K on and i here a ticking noise it is the fuel injectors. i was worryed when i frist heard it under the hood but its the fuel injectors opening and closeing. but X2 on what pheonixx said.

 

Cool, thanks. I'm not overly worried, I just want to be sure it's ok to hear it at first. I figured I'd hear noises when it's breaking in. I did talk to a bunch of the service guys when I bought it, and asked them about oil changes after the first 1 or 2k miles, they said no need, and in fact the motors are already broken in. They said when they are built they are fully flushed and cleaned, and run for so many hours, and that a traditional break in is not required. I think I'm going to do it anyhow, just good practice.

 

Do a forum search on cam phasers.

A transmission flush is totally unnecessary after "break-in". I do not disagree with frequent oil changes if they make you feel better but I'd leave the tranny alone. Dropping the pan and changing the filter every 30k would not hurt.

 

There is no traditional break in period. My dealer told me I was wasting money if I changed the oil prior to 3000. The ticking, if it is a light noise is the fuel injectors. If more of a knock, might be a cam phaser.

 

I too have a new 08', it makes the exact same thump noise you speek of. Dont know what it is. I have other problems to deal with as of now. See my post on "Strange Noises"

 

I have heard that also about not needing to change the oil early. I do it with every new vehicle I own, and the peace of mind alone is worth the 30 bucks. Overkill? Maybe, but hey its a 30k truck, well worth a lil extra here and there

 

I understand. The weird thing, I was at the dealer at 1600 miles for warranty problem and told them to go ahead and change the oil while it was there. They refused saying I would just be wasting my money. Have you ever had a dealer refuse to take your money? They have sense more than made up for it.

 

I thought my motor made the same noises when mine was new, 1st oil change I switched to Mobil 1 5w20 Synthetic, quieted it right down, try it,
you will see, & never go back....................

 

Pinging? Lifters? Injectors? New engine breaking in?. Try different fuel and see if the noise goes away.

 

Well it's not so much a pinging, just a very, and I mean VERY, slight ticking sound. Like I said before, I had an 86 F250 and it was the lifters sticking. I'm ruling that out simply because I cannot imagine lifters sticking on a 400 mile engine. I think it's more to do with exhaust, if anything, but as stated by another post, it is still breaking in. Other than that noise, and the slight thump when accelerating, I am more than happy with my truck.

 

My 04 4.6 and my 07 5.4 both made this ticking noise, only could here it when near a wall like at a drive threw. this is normal, don't worry about it, it is just the injectors. Not sure on the other noise, just give it some time to break in and see what it does. My 08 6.8 is the quietest, smoothest motor I have ever had.

 

Thanks Jimmy, I figured it was something relatively normal. Just like you, I really only hear it when sitting at idle next to a wall. I mean, if I pop the hood and listen I hear it, but under normal driving it's fine.

The thump I'm feeling is kinda weird though. It seems to occur at speeds above 45-50mph, and the thump gets ever so slightly heavier the faster I am going, and only happens immediately when I accelerate. Maybe it's something to do with the electronic throttle control and finding the gear? Has anyone else noticed this very slight thump at all? I noticed sometimes on a heavy acceleration it seems to almost hesitate a second like it's "seaching" for the right gear to drop into. I'm thinking once I get my Xcal tunes from Justin at VMP it will "fix" some of that and firm up the shifts.

 

I have a 05 5.4 and I hear the ticking at idle also. Not real loud. I have about 13,000 miles and has done it ever since new. My dads is the same with 43,000 miles.