Does anyone know the tech time site with all the videos? I have an 08 F150 FX4 (9500 miles)and ive had this ticking noise which is constant at idle and it sounds much louder when i first start it in the morning. The noise when first starting the car sounds like an exhaust leak but when its warm and started it doesn’t make this noise as loud and i checked for exhaust leaks and have none. Its just like in other threads that next to a drive thru the noise is very loud and sounds like a diesel. I have an appt tomorrow morning at the dealership and im going to mention the cam phaser. Is the cam phaser problem more noticeable the fist time you start the car? Is there anything else I should mention because I never have any luck at this dealership - extremely lazy people.
Thanks
John

 

john
i also presented the same concern to 2 dealerships @ 26000 miles. after 3 attempts they changed out the cam phasers, (to probably tighten up my lip) which slightly cured the problem. yet now at 56000 miles i presented the same concern before my 60000 mi. warr. is up and they looked at me ounce again like i am hearing things. i was told that it's the 5.4s nature. hopefully it holds together. good luck, i know its unsetteling!

 

Pick up a mechanics stethescope (cheap) and do a little investigating yourself before heading to the dealer. Listen at the front of the cam cover ( cam phasers).Also at the front cover several inches below the cam covers (chain tensioners). Along the entire length of the cam covers (lash adjusters). Around the exhaust manifolds (exhaust leak). At the cats. Also listen at the oil pan (rod bearing) and along the block just below the cyl heads.(wrist pin). At the front belt tensioner etc. you get the idea. just be careful not to get the probe in the fan or belt... You have a new truck and shouldn't have to perform this yourself but going in a little prepared with location of noise can make a difference. It really sets me off how some dealers just don't get it...I would seriously look for another dealer if this one is jerking you around. The 3V engines tend to make more noise than the 2V's do. There are components that were designed for better emmisions and power that just make more noise. Most of these sounds are not indicators of durability issues and these engines can get well over 200,000 miles with out any major issues. Rod bearing being the only major concern of all I listed. Good luck.

 

good advice, maybe i am over analyzing minor details, it's just if these noises were coming from one of my past engines including a 351C, 351W, 302, 460 it would present an internal failure, yet my old ironhead sounds like a jimmy diesel. but its not then, its now and maybe its time to move on with a new acceptance and faith of new technology. gosh i sound old, hahaha

 

Thanks for the tips. I checked the manifolds and cats with my stethoscope and didn’t hear anything abnormal. I just heard alot of ticking especially before the cats. I'm guessing this is normal since it was similar on both sides. I also didn’t see any witness marks of a leak. Tomorrow morning before I leave I will check the cam covers, timing cover, and oil pan just to hear for myself.
I dont know why but it does seem like this engine makes a lot more noise than my mustang with the 4.6L. I'll update the dealers response.

 

I appreciate you guys trusting me with my input regarding the noise issues you are having. With that said I sit here with my fingers crossed that the concerns are in fact beneign. I spent many years working on these engines in Romeo Dyno lab. I also traveled to all of the Vehicle Opts plants that we supplied the 4.6 and 5.4 too for quality issues. When the 3V engines first went into production we were all surprised at the amount of noise they generated compared to the 2V engines. However without actually being able too listen to your engines it is difficult for me to make a accurate diagnosis of your particular concern. My opinion is that if you are not satisfied with your vehicle then by all means find a dealer who will listen to you and at least give you a logical explanation for your concern. Ford motor is very proactive in regards to vehicle quality and customer satisfaction. However way too many times the dealers who are independent won't spend the time to address a customers concerns. My intent with my previous note was to inform you that the 3V engines are inherently more noisy than the 2V's. Both are extremely durable and with good maintenance will give you as many miles as most diesel engines. Good luck.

 

ok dyno, here's one for you... wtf makes my injectors so loud? seriously, it sounds like I have a group of midgets under my hood with little hammers...

 

LOL !! Ya they are noisy. Actually it is a combination of the engine design as well as injector design. Your car is even more suseptable with the high flow rate injectors. It is one of those components that tends to be inherently noisy when combined with an overhead cam engine. The 3V lash adjusters are another noisy component. They are completely different from a 2V and 4V lash adjuster because of emission concerns with the 3V engine that are not present on a 2V. Cam phasers on a 3V as well add even more noise. Now the lead free piston pin bushings on all engines per Government regulations tend to generate their share of noise. Toyota, GM, Ford. in fact all car manufacturers are struggling with the lead free pin bushing noise even though it has been proven not to be a durability issue. People expect quiet engines. The problem is that the companies are trying to reduce weight to improve fuel economy. Whenever mass is reduced the opportunity for noise increases. Take care.

 

lol dude you the man. i LIKE man noisy engine...keeps nosey people out of my bay...

hell i've tried taking the hammers away from the midgets, but they get pissed and start blaring elton john music... so i gave the hammers back lol

 

I got the truck back and the tech said the noise was normal. Kind of figured that was going to happen.

I had another concern about a 3-4 shift which has been very annoying. Most of the time just below 30 mph the truck would surge to about 2K RPM before shifting into OD. I told the service manager this and he said there's no way since the OD is locked out until 45 MPH. The tech checked the computer and there is a TSB for this exact problem. I really don’t know why service managers/writers just say things without any facts behind them since the truck clearly shifts into OD at about 30 mph when cruising. He tried to make it seem like I didn’t know what I was talking about but at least the problem is fixed now. Incase anyone else has this problem here is the TSB # 08-8-11. I drove the truck home and haven’t had any problems.

I was able to drive a fusion for the day. Its a really nice car and I got 32 MPG driving to work!

 

Hey everyone, this "tick" everybody's experiencing, is it a tick or could it be a tap? My truck has been doing this for most of it's life, it now has 95,000 miles on it, but to me it sounds like a tap. Does it when I start it and will go away after I step on it, but after driving for a while it will come back. It's definitely in the engine and has been doing this almost 95,000 miles. Engine runs fine and have not any issues or problems with it. I just figured it was normal for this type of engine. Anybody remember the v-6's ford was putting in the bronco II's and rangers that would start tapping after 12,000 miles? That was considered "NORMAL"

 

Mine ticks loudest when it starts cold but it runs perfect. Warm starts are a bit quieter and it has to be the valve train. I changed injectors for a better set. I don't hear anything when I'm out of the garage driving around.

 

ELTON JOHN MUSIC, oh sweet Jesus NO! Give them the damn hammers back! LMFAO!