I have 87K on my 5.4 xlt f150 4x4. I took it in to be serviced as I am going into the Mojave this weekend to shoot and enjoy the 105 -116 F sunny days and do some shooting. I mentioned to the service advisor, who has been most excellent at Ford (Clairmont Mesa San Diego), that I had been hearing some valve chatter on cold start ups. His mechanic did a listen and said it could be a "cam sensor" problem. If I brought it in at night, the mechanic would listen to it in the AM without the $130 diagnostic fee. Estimate if the sensor is bad, $700, add $500 for parts. My service guy said it was remote chance of anything happening in the near future, but maybe.
Anybody heard of this "cam sensor" sounding like a tappit/valve/lifter thingie?
THanks,
PTC

 

Here is an excellent resource on the sound you may be hearing. Plug in your headphones and listen to each of the three possible sounds and the explanations for each. This is pretty thorough.
http://www.flatratetech.com/index.php?categoryid=4
Scroll down to episode 22, I believe.
In addition, there are untold numbers of posts on this subject on this site, not to mention others.

 

If you are hearing chatter on cold starts, stop using Fram oil filters.

 

Thanks, I checked and it is a FMC Ford Motocraft 820S, Can't tell if it is rebadged Fram. 2005 F150 4x4 5.4 Triton.