Hey guys,

I own a 06 FX4 S/Cab 5.4 with 138,000kms and lately i have been noticing a few times now, this loud lifter noise mainly from the drivers side at idle.

I will drive it for a hour at highway speeds and it seems fine, my magnaflow might be masking the noise maybe at those speeds. But i notice when i get off the highway and come to a stop light, it is sounding like the lifters are from a old Dodge slant 6!

Got new MotorCraft plugs put in 10k ago, oil changed regularly at the dealer, and the injectors flushed (the Ford dealer called the flush something else) And my only engine mods are, a S&B intake, and 22" Magnaflow catback 3" single in/out. I do know that when they changed the plugs they had one break off.

Got a few things thrown in a suggestions, one it might be that i need to re-tork somethings, bolts ect.. Others say put in additive to the oil to get rid of it.

Anybody have a similar case, and know, or know where the answers to this problem might be? I'll try anything if it works.

Thanks in advance for any direction or help given. Al

 

Could it be the cam phaser?
https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...eo-inside.html

 

Click the flat rate tech link in my sig, watch episode 22.

 

Wow what great links guys. I'm getting worried now it could cost me some large cash here. I get my oil change at a local dealer here. I would think they would put in 5w 20 oil, if thats required. What do you think also might of caused that phaser problem? You think when they broke the spark plug off when changing them, that it might of caused this? Man i can see the labor costs on this one! Thanks gents as always. Al

 

You're right at the mileage where the timing chain tensioners start to bleed off oil pressure causing the chains to slack. Unfortunately, you have to remove the timing cover. You will most likely find that the chains have rubbed into the front cover. To repair, you need to replace tensioners, guides, and possibly the chain depending on wear. New phasers wouldn't hurt either. Definitely not something you want to keep driving.

 

Went to the Local Ford Dealer here in town, and told him about the noise. Their top tech was on holidays, so the grabbed me another mechanic. Told him about the noise, he said could be your Cam Phaser like you guys said. I asked how much, he said to try and do a couple of quick oil changes, like change it after 2,000kms, do that twice, and see if it loosens up anything that might have clogged up the flow of oil. I asked how much to fix this cam phaser, he said $2,700 to do both sides.....Holy crap! I'll try the two quick oil changes first thanks. A friend said he had a simular sound and it was just replacing his Manifold Bolts that got rid of the noise. Is there not a oil additive out there to clean any clogged areas that causes this noise and the break down of this cam phaser? Any of this make sense? I sure would like to try the lesser of anything first, before i give into $2,700. The mechanic did say it's more of annoying noise than harmful right now. I hope the hell it is!

 

If it's the cam phasers don't worry about it. Leave it alone, they make noise.

 

Is there any additives out there to reduce that noise?

 

I don't know. I wouldn't think that oil additives would hurt.

Oil pressure operates the VCT on these 5.4 3v engines. If there is any sort of sludge or the wrong viscosity oil is used the phasers will make more noise.

Some phasers make more noise than others. It's a crap shoot. When idling they make noise. Mine do. Under normal driving with the rpm's up past 1200 or so the oil pressure is up and they are quiet. Sure does sound weird at idle, but every tech I've heard says noisy cam phasers are not going to do any damage to the engine.

 

I sure hope the hell so. I will keep asking shops too. Thanks Stealth

 

I've wondered if the oil passages are too small on the VCT system.

 

If they are, using oil heavier than 5W20 will make the problem worse.

 

I'm going to ask everywhere and everyone i can. The funny thing is it's never a cut dry answer, and it seems that everyone is not on the same page all the time. Hope someone comes along Stealth and has the golden answer to out noisy 5.4's!

 

me to it would be nice. But i only hear mine when sitting still.