Hello, All
I have a 99 5.4 and every now and then I get a clicking or tapping noise when accelarating. To me it sounds like what a lifter would sound like on an over head valve engine. It does not do it all the time. Oil is correct level. Any help or opinions are appriciated.

 

Are you sure it's not spark knock? What weight and type of oil are you using and how many miles are on the engine?

 

Not for sure I do not know what spark knock sounds like. 127K on the engine. 5-30W.

 

i believe the correct oil for a 5.4 is 5-20 bud, but can u hear a ticking at idle? cuz it could be exhaust leaks, HLA ticking, injector clicking (usually deemed normal) you have good oil pressure i assume?

 

What does it say on the sticker under your hood? My '99 says 5W-30.

 

It is 5-30, I dont think it is the injector clicking or exhaust. This is intermittant. I used to have a 76 International Scout II (He^& of a truck) and the lifters made this almost exact noise.

 

If it is ONLY happening during acceleration then I'd suspect it's something load related i.e. exhaust leak, piston, bearing...

 

probably a little exhaust leak.

 

does it seem to go away after the car warms up? if so it could be an exhaust leak and it goes away from the metal expanding from heat

 

hmm, i coulda swore the 5.4's were 5-20w? thought they were having SOME issues with SOME 5.4's and 5-30w? anyone with like a 99 or 01+ 5.4 have a sticker sayin 5-20?

dunno, i think it could be HLA's. picky sob's. joey, you said u had a bad one. did it come and go as it pleased? i know my 4.6 had something going wrong and make all kinds of weird ticking noises that would go away when it wanted. i figured it was either a HLA or a bad cam journal. i could tear into it and see if i find anything besides that small exhaust leak i finally found.

 

Yea one of my lash adjusters would tick at idle only when hot, but only sometimes. I put 8 new ones in the passenger side and it hasnt done it since.

 

5W20 is a back spec. 99's are fine with 5W30.

To test for spark knock, fill up with high octane premium gas. If the noise goes away it's spark knock.

 

Spark plugs make a ticking noise just before they blow out... don't ask me how I know

 

I agree with built on this one, if it isn't load related then it is probably a lash adjuster/follower. Mine would come and go when the engine was hot and it would be there at idle or slight throttle....mashing the pedal and no more tick. I don't think it will harm anything, just annoying.

 

Don't waste your money on the 5W20 - it's only specified for a VERY slight mileage benefit, nothing else. 5W30 will work just fine.